RockMelt is a proprietary social media web browser developed by Tim Howes and Eric Vishria. The project is backed by Netscape founder Marc Andreessen. RockMelt integrates a unique technique for surfing the web that focuses on Google Search and Social Media, in particular Facebook and Twitter. The browser launched in private beta on November 8, 2010 in order to download it, users are required to connect their Facebook account to the website to receive an invitation email. RockMelt supports Windows and Mac OS X platforms.
Rockmelt has an optional Facebook side bar on the left of the Browser window for communicating with contacts. Users can communicate without having to open a new tab/window, or access Facebook's actual website. The Chat Bar displays the user's own status which can be updated, and display picture, and the contacts in a list with their own statuses and display pictures. Clicking on a contact will open up a chat window for the contact in a side pop-up. Further Facebook integrated features are; the ability to create your own favourites list for contacts, post to a contact's wall or message them within Rockmelt, without having to leave the page you are on. On the right side of the browser is another optional side bar, which allows you to view your Facebook wall, and view your notifications. Rockmelt also integrates Twitter. Searching Google in the search bar pops-up a small drop down window with search results, which makes it no longer necessary to open a whole new tab/window for Google Search.
