Using Brave

For a few weeks now I have been using the Brave browser.  It is based on Chromium, so switching from Chrome was a quick adjustment since I have been using Chrome for years.  Brave includes an ad blocking system that blocks what they call "very intrusive ads" and most attempts to track users across sites.  They have also setup a system using BAT currency that allows you to directly pay content providers that you visit.  I have also setup my site as a content provider so I can receive tokens.


Browser

The browser was created by Brendan Eich, the creator of Javascript.  The browser has worked well so far.  It updates automatically similarly to the way Chrome does.  They have a system for syncing bookmarks between your devices.  You also have a wallet built in for your BAT tokens.  I am using it on a Mac, and my Android phone.





Ads

The creators of the browser have also setup an ad network.  There are several ad providers involved, but I haven't looked into this too much yet.  These ads will be shown by the browser in cases where other ads were hidden and maybe in other cases.  You get paid in tokens for viewing the ads.  I have that turned on, but I haven't received any tokens yet.


Brave Rewards

The wallet and the system for paying other sites is called Brave Rewards.  The wallet can currently be synced between desktop systems.  They haven't added that ability to the Android version, but they say it will be added soon.  I got a 20 BAT grant for using the Android version but I can't currently use those on the desktop version.  Maybe they are doing that on purpose to get more mobile use.


Content Providers

Getting setup as a content provider took several steps, but it was mostly painless.  First you setup a Brave Rewards provider account.  Then you have to link that to an account at a site called uphold.com.  I hadn't heard of that site before.  To fully verify your account with UpHold you have to provide a physical address and a picture of a valid ID.  I was a little worried about providing that, but after a little research I decided it seems to be a legitimate site.


Overall it seems like a pretty cool browser, and I hope the advertising and payment system work out.  It seems like a much better way to pay for content on the web.  The advertising on many sites has gotten out of hand.