SkyFire Browser Now Available

Posted By: Ryan Kairer Wednesday, September 24, 2008 2:54:38 PM

The SkyFire mobile web browser is now out of private beta and is openly available for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 devices. SkyFire is designed to deliver a desktop-like browsing experience on the small screen. The browser supports full web browsing, and comes with the ability to handle rich media content such as Ajax functionality, Flash, Quicktime, Windows Media and others.

SkyFire version 0.8 for Windows Mobile includes marked improvements in speed and ease of use according to the company. The browser is available for free after signing up on the company's website. The software runs natively on the device and utilizes a proxy for rendering and transcoding all content.

SkyFire BrowserPreviously, people who wanted to use the browser had to sign-up on a waiting list for Skyfire. With today's announcement, the latest version of the Windows Mobile Skyfire browser is available to anyone.

"Leaving private beta is a huge step for us," said Skyfire CEO Nitin Bhandari, "We have accomplished our goals of the private beta – launch, listen, improve. Demand for Skyfire has been extremely strong and we are excited to bring this more evolved product to more devices and users."

In addition to known bug fixes and general performance gains, the 0.8 version of Skyfire for Windows Mobile also adds the following functionality:

  • Better video quality
  • Ability to make Skyfire the default browser
  • Faster launch and auto-reconnect
  • Improved zooming
  • Ability to download content
  • In-line text entry

Thanks to jkOnTheRun for the tip.

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Is it Java based or hardcoded?

SeldomVisitor @ 9/24/2008 3:06:56 PM # Q
The Subject IS the post.

RE: Is it Java based or hardcoded?
SeldomVisitor @ 9/24/2008 3:08:29 PM # Q
Oh...I just Googled for "skyfire java" and see this browser uses proxy servers to attain its speed.

RE: Is it Java based or hardcoded?
Ryan @ 9/24/2008 3:12:58 PM # Q
I updated the article to point that out. There is a native winmob app, but all of the requests go through the custom skyfire proxy.
RE: Is it Java based or hardcoded?
SeldomVisitor @ 9/24/2008 3:19:40 PM # Q
Yeah, I was curious about the claims for speed so asked that first question, then found the reason for the claim.

Blazer revisited, right?

RE: Is it Java based or hardcoded?
Ryan @ 9/24/2008 3:22:07 PM # Q
Well the current (relative term) Palm OS Blazer has been proxyless since the Treo 600 I believe.

I'm interested to see if skyfire lives up to their claims/hype, will be giving it a go shortly and will report back with my impressions.

RE: Is it Java based or hardcoded?
SeldomVisitor @ 9/24/2008 3:25:56 PM # Q
> ...Well the current (relative term) Palm OS Blazer has been proxyless since the Treo
> 600 I believe...

Oh, okay, had either forgotten or didn't know the proxies had been discarded. "Original blazer" then!

RE: Is it Java based or hardcoded?
DrewT3 @ 9/24/2008 4:59:03 PM # Q
Opera Mini uses a proxy too, and it is a pretty nice browser. You give up some privacy for pages that use much less bandwidth.
RE: Is it Java based or hardcoded?
SeldomVisitor @ 9/24/2008 5:07:41 PM # Q
Oh! I hadn't considered the privacy angle! I am SO naive...

So...let's see...the proxy servers have a COMPLETE record of your surfing habits?

NebuAd, anyone?

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Blazer

jptx @ 9/25/2008 6:10:23 AM # Q
I so want new browser for my centro or 755p

Does Opera work on either of these well?

Any rumors of a new browser?

Blazer is so mediocre...



RE: Blazer
Gekko @ 9/25/2008 6:32:18 AM # Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaN1Nz1Dyls



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Read The Fine Print.....

Nylo @ 9/25/2008 11:04:28 AM # Q
Make sure you read the fine print before you sign up.

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