Yes, it's closed source. I can't see a realistic alternative to this given I'm trying to make a living selling the app.
But FWIW, I can promise you I don't transfer your browsing history. My policy on such data is I simply don't want to ever have a copy of it. If that means I can't sync your history between Link Bubble installs, so be it.
I already have the code to allow you to specify this via Link Bubble's settings, but I've opted not to enable it so far.
I tend to subscribe to Apple's philosophy of trying to avoid adding configurable options unless absolutely necessary, but frankly, that position can be a tough sell to early adopting Android users.
I see Link Bubble as an additional application rather than a complete replacement for your existing browser. Drive the Prius (Link Bubble) around the city during the week, take the truck (Chrome) out on Sundays.
I assume because they use the t.co link to verify items have been clicked for their ad services, but I can't be sure. Either way, as I user I couldn't stand that wasted time, so I went about trying to fix it.
As I said in my post, I definitely thought long and hard about the implications of applying for such a patent. Your points were definitely at the forefront of my thinking.
In the end, I concluded that Loren Brichter's pull to refresh patent proved rather valuable, so I might as well not close the door on such an opportunity myself.
Yes, further optimizations are necessary. It's V1, and I needed to get it out to see if the app would be well received first. That said, I do envisage Link Bubble will be used more to quickly read a few links rather than keep 40 tabs open at once like Chrome.
Figuring out the line between free and Pro is always a challenge. I think the value proposition is clear from the free version, but I'm always listening to opinions otherwise.
Link Bubble uses the Android WebView for rendering, yes. But the API is pretty deficient in a few key areas, and I will likely have to switch to a custom modified version of Android 4.4's WebView at some point.