Comments on: Skyfire brings full browsing experience to mobile phones everywhere

By: Drewkkake

Drewkkake — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:49:10 +0000

Assuming that the “ibrick” refers to the iPhone, it’s pretty obvious that Apple would never let it into the app store (even though it would potentially make them some money). The iPhone experience is about keeping things proprietary and, if you’re using their phone, they’ll make sure you’re using their browser.

For those of you who have signed up for the beta but haven’t heard anything back, I would think that, since everything is rendered on their own servers, they’d have an interest in limiting the number of beta users until they can increase capacity. Of course, I’d hope that they’d send SOME kind of email saying that they’re full.

By: ET

ET — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:35:42 +0000

This is the only browser that will allow you to listen to Sirius/XM and watch Hulu on Nokia (S60).

I’m buying it the nanosecond it’s released (provided they can fix the “sleep” issue).

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:57:01 +0000

I’ve been using SkyFire beta for several months now. The initial version they sent me was buggy and disappointing, but they’ve cleaned up the app nicely since. Only problem it drains the life out of my Windows Mobile device, unlike Pocket Explore which is a crappy browser. So I’ve compromised by using SkyFire only when PE can’t handle/render certain sites.

By: Sunshine Lizard

Sunshine Lizard — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:10:41 +0000

I found access to skyfire via gizmodo. Use their promo code to immediately download. This works on the WM page as well. http://gizmodo.com/5032222/test-skyfire-mobile-browser-for-symbian-s60-phones

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:26:45 +0000

Nice, leave the BB and the iphone out. The only two stable smartphones available. Who wants a windoze phone that crashes all the damn time. What junk. This company is definitely F*cked if they can’t figure it out quickly, that they can’t only try and appease a small group of cell phone users.

By: Alfredo

Alfredo — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 04:03:07 +0000

I cannot download the files. Everything I can do is register for beta. But i cannot download any file >.<

By: mike

mike — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:41:47 +0000

yeah i don’t get this post at all. How is it released? There is nothing about downloading it for non beta users? I just don’t get it. I also signed up for a beta 4 months ago with no word from them.

By: Todd

Todd — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:13:00 +0000

So, why hasn’t this story been pulled yet? The windows client has NOT been released, it is in the same beta1 status as it has been for months.

By: badChad

badChad — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:44:31 +0000

Skyfire has easily become my default browser. I find it to be responsive, fast and everything I need.

For the price, they can keep tabs on my browsing habits. I could care less if they know how often I visit CNN or other sites.

By: Galvatron

Galvatron — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:11:41 +0000

JOJO = Lamer wonder why ther hasn’t ben version developed for blackberry or the ibrick yet

By: 1jaxstate1

1jaxstate1 — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:36:21 +0000

No, I dont work for skyfire, I just like the browser. I dont know what type of service u use, but i have no lag on Cingular’s 3G network with three bars.

By: Kevad

Kevad — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:12:20 +0000

I have been an early Beta user for months, and indeed the download available (at least to those of us in the beta program) is a newer file although no info. from Skyfire yet. I downloaded it over the older file from May and one thing I do notice is that flash Video is playing somewhat smoother, esp. when zooming in. It used to playback like a still slideshow with audio, I am now getting fairly smooth (but still a moderate amount of chop) playback. I have a Blackjack I and have not been able to tell if the problem was just a limitation of the Blackjack due to its slower processor. Right now Video when zoomed seems to be a bit better than before, same 3G signal and speed. Anyone else see a difference? Other differences?

By: Cannon

Cannon — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:39:00 +0000

jaxstate, you must work for skyfire or something. the flash in SF is extremely laggy and the interface is a bit too slow for my taste. opera mobile 9.5 is the best native browser out followed by netfront 3.5. opera mini is awesome as well and don’t forget about the bootleg picsel. i’d take all four of those over skyfire anyday even without flash support.

By: Kevad

Kevad — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:26:35 +0000

I have been an early Beta user for months, and indeed the download available is a newer file although no info. from Skyfire yet. I downloaded it over the older file from May and one thing I do notice is that flash Video is playing smoother, esp. when zooming in. It used to playback like a still slideshow with audio, I am now getting fairly smooth playback. I have a Blackjack I and have not been able to tell if the problem was just a limitation of the Blackjack due to its slower processor. Right now Video when zoomed is better than before, same 3G signal and speed. Anyone else see a difference? Other differences?

By: Dahlem

Dahlem — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:34:22 +0000

I downloaded the new cab (Skyfire_4721_PPC50.cab) and eally see no difference as of yet. Th one thing I like about opera and opera mini is how the text reflows to fit your screen and this doesn’t seem to unless I’m missing something . . .

By: Rod Trent

Rod Trent — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:17:25 +0000

Uhh…Skyfire is not new folks. Thanks for the jolt, but get the news straight, or, at least, current.

By: jamie

jamie — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:13:27 +0000

Q: I don’t have a Windows Mobile or Symbian phone. Will Skyfire run on my…

A: Blackberry: We are currently investigating support for Blackberry, but it’s not on our immediate roadmap.

By: T ZZZ

T ZZZ — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:10:14 +0000

I’m a bit confused at the purpose of this article. i signed up for the beta back in April and ever received an invite. I go to their site to download the “new mobile browser client” and there is no download link and when I register it says I am already registered. Thanks for getting my hopes up.

By: Pholey

Pholey — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:07:17 +0000

Will this app ever be available for Blackberrys?

By: jared eldredge

jared eldredge — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:54:15 +0000

i’ve been running the symbian beta for about a week now – i posted screenshots on ovi and my personal blog (http://bitflung.blogspot.com — don’t get too excited, i never update it, but the screenshots are there).

i can say, the symbian beta is great. from what i’ve been able to cull out of the functionality, mt take on their method is:

1. logging into the service via skyfire appears to launch Firefox on a remote server
2. all rendering takes place on the remote firefox instance – including video rendering
3. their major effort has been in writing a mobile client similar providing an experience similar to a remote X session (perhaps even based on it).
4. they’ done a good job – even over EDGE my N95 can render hulu.com with a watchable framerate (~10 frames/sec) great resolution and audio with almost no compression artifacts.
5. the only usability issue i have is that the app (beta, expected to have flaws) will crash from time to time – notably when watching flash video over wifi: after 15-30 minutes of a movie at hulul over wifi skyfire will almost certainly crash on me. watching over edge i’ve been able to sit through full length (2hrs) movies.

-bit

By: Who?

Who? — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:40:46 +0000

Is this a re-post from like 5 months ago?

Also, note that Skyfire lies about Skyfire’s capabilities. It claims on its website: “Listen to any music on sites like Last.fm, Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music.”

This is 100% false. They do not allow logins to Rhapsody. They used to, but a couple of months ago they removed it, but did not change the claims on their website. They even acknowledge that Rhapsody doesn’t work with Skyfire when I emailed them about it. Pathetic.

By: BDot

BDot — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:39:47 +0000

From the Skyfire Privacy Policy:

Once you have subscribed to and begin to use the Browser, we will collect information about your use of the Browser on your Device (“Browser Usage Information”). Browser Usage Information includes such information as which websites and programs you access or download on your Device, how long you visit such websites and use such programs, your activities (such as products purchased or advertisements viewed) on such websites, which specific areas of a website or webpage you use and for how long, websites you bookmark, search terms you use, referring/exit pages, browser and platform types, the geographic location in which your Device is being used and information you provide on third party websites. All of your Browser Usage Information is stored together by Skyfire under an automatically generated, random identification number (“ID Number”) that will not be associated with or linked to your other Personal Information. By downloading our Browser and accepting our Terms of Use (which includes acceptance of this Privacy Policy), you have given us your express consent to collect and use Browser Usage Information and tie it to an ID Number.

Um…I would want to use this, why again?

By: poser

poser — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:28:44 +0000

Windows Mobile and Nokia only? WTF. They gots no BB love damn!

By: Moose Man

Moose Man — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:02:59 +0000

Is this compatible with the Curve or just windows mobile?

By: msatlas

msatlas — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:43:01 +0000

Ok when I went to install the license agreement mentioned beta software but then said the old version of Skyfire will be removed before installation. The splash screen still says Skyfire Beta and it’s version 0.610.4721 so I guess a bit of an update but not the final version.

Maybe I’m missing something?

By: hacktheplanet

hacktheplanet — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:41:40 +0000

I just downloaded skyfire earlier today and absolutely love the full page browsing. The pan and zoom feature is equally amazing.
I am unable to download opera mini on my phone, so have been waiting for an alternative for a while now. Great job skyfire!!!

By: RicoW

RicoW — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:41:18 +0000

About to check it out right now.

By: msatlas

msatlas — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:40:23 +0000

To clarify, the original beta CAB file that I still have is named Skyfire_4503_PPC50.cab and the new download is named Skyfire_4721_PPC50.cab. I’m going to install and see what happens next. Will report back.

By: msatlas

msatlas — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:38:58 +0000

Is this a public release? I was in the first beta group and I was able to access the download of what appears to be a new version but only after I signed in to my beta account on the website.

By: jkayner

jkayner — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:36:21 +0000

when you say “just released their new mobile browser” what do you mean? I’m in the beta 1 and have been using it for a long time, I see nothing on their site saying it is releases as they are asking people to sign up for beta 2 and you will be sent a txt.