diff --git a/src/com/android/browser/BrowserSettings.java b/src/com/android/browser/BrowserSettings.java
index 0b7e87a..8dfd4d7 100644
--- a/src/com/android/browser/BrowserSettings.java
+++ b/src/com/android/browser/BrowserSettings.java
@@ -652,6 +652,10 @@
         return mPrefs.getString(PREF_SEARCH_ENGINE, SearchEngine.GOOGLE);
     }
 
+    public boolean allowAppTabs() {
+        return mPrefs.getBoolean(PREF_ALLOW_APP_TABS, false);
+    }
+
     public boolean openInBackground() {
         return mPrefs.getBoolean(PREF_OPEN_IN_BACKGROUND, false);
     }
diff --git a/src/com/android/browser/IntentHandler.java b/src/com/android/browser/IntentHandler.java
index 47cab70..e22c5dc 100644
--- a/src/com/android/browser/IntentHandler.java
+++ b/src/com/android/browser/IntentHandler.java
@@ -139,7 +139,8 @@
             }
             if (Intent.ACTION_VIEW.equals(action)
                      && !mActivity.getPackageName().equals(appId)) {
-                if (!BrowserActivity.isTablet(mActivity)) {
+                if (!BrowserActivity.isTablet(mActivity)
+                        && !mSettings.allowAppTabs()) {
                     Tab appTab = mTabControl.getTabFromAppId(appId);
                     if (appTab != null) {
                         mController.reuseTab(appTab, urlData);
diff --git a/src/com/android/browser/PreferenceKeys.java b/src/com/android/browser/PreferenceKeys.java
index ff42aaf..1828032 100644
--- a/src/com/android/browser/PreferenceKeys.java
+++ b/src/com/android/browser/PreferenceKeys.java
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
     static final String PREF_RESET_DEFAULT_PREFERENCES = "reset_default_preferences";
     static final String PREF_SEARCH_ENGINE = "search_engine";
     static final String PREF_WEBSITE_SETTINGS = "website_settings";
+    static final String PREF_ALLOW_APP_TABS = "allow_apptabs";
 
     // ----------------------
     // Keys for debug_preferences.xml