Skyfire Mobile Browser Updated…And It Looks Good!
I have been following Skyfire since its initial 0.5 Beta release (which is depicted in the video). In fact, over at Just Another Mobile Monday, I was one of the first people on the Internet to post a review of this fantastic mobile browser. From the first time I used this one, I saw a mobile platform unlike any I had used before. Despite this innovation, I did find a few problems with the initial release: it was slow and some of the features were severely limited. But hey, what do you expect for an initial Beta release?
Well, not only have these problems been fixed, but Skyfire has obviously been busy. Hit the jump to see what is included in the new Beta.
The new Beta includes significant updates, such as:
- Multi-line text entry (2,000 character limit)
- Auto-complete text entry
- Paste into URL or search
- Ability to delete bookmarks
- Multiple zoom modes for touch screen phones
- Double tap to Zoom In and Zoom Out
- Support for custom virtual keyboards (SIP)
- Web search shortcut in softkey menu
- Access to the Windows Mobile Taskbar in softkey menu
- Persistent settings for SmartFit, Mute and Zoom size
- Support for 12-key and 1/2 QWERTY devices
- Password masking
- Backlight usage based on system settings
- OK button sends Skyfire to the background
What is most impressive about this list is that almost all of these items were submitted by users. So, it is clear that they really listen to the users and are focusing their efforts on the issues which are important to the community of SkyFire Beta testers.
It is still not perfect, yet. You still cannot download files from Skyfire, and there are some problems which have been noted when entering information on a secure site. Nonetheless, I am extremely impressed with how far this one has come already. The next round of Beta testing is expected to begin this summer. I can’t wait to see what other surprises Skyfire has up their sleeves.
If you are already Beta testing Skyfire, then be sure to download this new update. The old version will expire May 7. If you are not in the Beta program, head over to www.skyfire.com and get yourself on their list.
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I am definitely loving this latest version. It’s so much faster than the previous and while the zoom function may not be as great as the one on the iPhone, it’s good enough for me. Hopefully they work on the security part of this browser so I can access my bank accounts from it as well.
hey man. i am writting from europe having a hard time downloading the programme. could you send it to me?
I agree, Tariq. The zoom feature has been much improved in this version. It works great.
Oh, one other thing I noticed. There is no way to make it your default browser on your device.
Doug
Too bad the beta is US only. For me, that makes it totally not interesting to keep up with the news about it. I can’t download it now, so it’s fine to just start reading about it when it gets released. Of course I understand that they took this decision for a reason, but I think that it does mean that they will probably have to rely on the continued blog coverage after the release to make this program reach the EU/Asian public.
spmwinkel, SkyFire CAN be used outside the US if you ask a friend of yours with an (even temporary) US mobile phone number to activate it for you.
BTW, my thorough review & comparison of SkyFire can be found at http://www.pocketpcmag.com/cms/blog/9/skyfire-a-brand-new-and-promising-web-browser-technical-review-comparison
Skyfire has stopped allowing Rhapsody and Yahoo Music streaming through Skyfire with this new version, but they still advertise this feature on their website. Pathetic.
@SPM, I thought I had heard of plans to expand the Beta to non-US, but that could be wishful thinking.
@Who?, I was not aware of that. I don’t do much streaming video on my mobile. I’ll take a closer look and keep my eye on that issue.
Doug
@Doug: I emailed Skyfire specifically about Rhapsody and was given this response: “Rhapsody is remembering users login and passwords for anyone using their servers, this poses a security issue for our users so we stop supporting that.”
They’re treating us like children (how far does this go? Do they stop any website that keeps you logged in if you don’t specifically log out?). I’m especially disappointed because I had emailed feedback about the poor quality of streaming audio and they wrote back that they were looking into it. And now they disable streaming, and still promote the feature on their website.
Thanks for looking further into that, Who? That is disappointing to here. Hopefully there is a way for them to work that out soon.
Doug
Hi.
I wish I could say the same for Skyfire on Symbian. I just got the oatest version on my N73 and it is still rubbish. Very clunky. locks up all the time. used up all the memory. In fact it is not usable as a browser and i have gone back to opera mini.