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Skyfire 2.0 beta for Android video preview!
We just spent a few minutes playing with the beta version of Skyfire 2.0 for Android that was released today, and we'll cut to the chase: this is easily the best browser we've used on the platform. Clearly we'll need to spend more time with it to make sure it can handle all the typical sites you'd want to visit while you're on the road -- but loading the desktop version of Engadget is always a great barometer for this sort of thing, and this browser rocked it. Rendering is about as reasonably fast as you can expect it to be (on our Snapdragon-powered Nexus One, anyhow), and everything we saw displayed spot-on perfect (save for embedded Flash, of course), but if you're in a situation where you don't need to see the full page or it looks screwy, you can toggle it to send an Android user agent right from the app's toolbar below the URL field. It works just about as well as Steel and the built-in browser on a G1 we tested, and Flash videos work just fine there as well. The browser touts compatibility with Flash videos, too, so we headed over to YouTube to try our hand at it; it immediately detected the presence of a video and popped up the so-called "SkyBar" at the bottom of the screen, where you can press the Video button to load the video in a new window. It doesn't work embedded in the page, but considering how small your phone's screen is, that's really for the best -- you get the full-screen experience, and in our testing, it looked fantastic. One downside is that you don't seem to be able to scrub videos while they're playing, but maybe this is something these guys can get patched up for the final release. Follow the break for our full video! Update: One annoyance we've noticed is that pinch-to-zoom works in "steps" -- it's not smooth, which makes it pretty weird to use, but remember that Opera Mini doesn't support it at all.
Skyfire 2.0 beta now ready to set Android ablaze
We've been seeing mobile browsers steadily raising their game lately, so it was inevitable that Skyfire would look to shock and awe us with its first release for the Android platform. Version 2.0 introduces a brand new SkyBar -- which ironically sits at the bottom of the screen -- providing users with a trifecta of new features. Firstly, the Video link serves as a workaround for those pesky "your phone ain't got no Flash" missives by doing server-side conversions of Flash video into universally comprehensible formats like HTML5. If implemented well, this should be a major coup for the company, particularly in light of a potential iPhone release as well. There's also a streamlined sharing feature for social networks, and an Explore function that suggests internet content on the basis of what's currently on display. We'll be testing out the usefulness of these shortly -- for now, hit the source link to get your own Skyfire going. Update: Check out our hands-on preview of the new browser right here. Hint: it's pretty awesome. %Gallery-92020%
Skyfire boss on possible iPhone port: 'stay tuned for news'
So Opera Mini for iPhone has proved to be kind of a big deal, and that HTML-laden beacon of hope is putting a twinkle in some other developers' eyes. Take Skyfire, for instance. CEO Jeff Glueck posted this week a congratulations to the Opera team for its inclusion in the iTunes app store -- a surprise to many, us included. He also explained that "this will certainly accelerate our strategy on iDevices," and seeing as its only product is a mobile browser with Flash and Silverlight, Jeff certainly has our attention here. That said, we're not exactly getting our hopes up, especially since the App Store's rules have always forbidden any app from running a code interpreter and we don't see how SkyFire can bypass that aspect of Flash and Silverlight entirely, even though it uses a server-side rendering model similar to Opera Mini's. We'll see what happens.
Hulu finally responds to PS3 blocking complaints
After weeks of silence, Hulu has provided some commentary on its blocking of PlayStation 3 and Windows Mobile browsers (unless you work out a way around it, of course), sending a form email back to any members the requested support for the issue that was heavy on "context" and light on answers. Without acknowledging that the company even is blocking these devices, the dispatch mentions "maximizing the content you can access as conveniently as possible in a way that "works" for the content owner." Of course that doesn't provide us any details as to which content provider(s) terms necessitated the change, or if, and in what form, we can expect easy off-PC access to Hulu's video streams to return but if you feel like navigating the fluff yourself, the letter is after the break.[Thanks, Connor]
Skyfire for BlackBerry reaches private beta, BlackBerry browsing a little closer to not sucking (updated: nope, still alpha)
Still no word on when we might get our hands on a public release, but for now, MobileBurn reports that the invite-only users of Skyfire's browser for BlackBerry have been upgraded from alpha to beta builds. Web browsing has historically been a gravely weak spot in RIM's arsenal, so Skyfire's development for the platform is being met with considerable interest -- especially in light of how well-received its builds on Windows Mobile (pictured) and Symbian have been. Anyhow, the beta bump puts us one step closer to corporate browsing nirvana, but there's still no word on exactly when the unleashing might happen.Update: We've just been tossed an update from a Skyfire spokesperson who has told us that this is actually just another alpha build we're talking about -- not a true beta. Unfortunately, we're thinking that means we're even further out from broad availability.
Skyfire browser hits version 1.0 -- but not for BlackBerry just yet
Ironically, it could be argued that it's BlackBerry OS in most desperate need of a mega-capable browser right now, but to start off, Skyfire's tying up some loose ends and going gold with the Windows Mobile and S60 versions of its well-received app. Reflecting the impressive length, width, and girth of the WinMo version's private and beta periods, 1.0 is said to feature some key improvements around performance, battery drain, better navigation and a new search feature. The gold builds are available now over at Skyfire's website, and don't fret, BlackBerry folks -- we're told a public beta is next on the company's radar.
Skyfire v0.85 supposedly available for worldwide consumption
Being that we're currently situated in the United States of America, we can't personally test out Decoder's claims that the latest and greatest version of Skyfire is ready for global domination, but we're taking it's word for it. Reportedly, most WinMo users and Symbian S60 owners can point their browsers to Skyfire's download page and suck down v0.85 without having to prove that they're in the US / Canada. Stop salivating and give it a go, hopefully everything turns out just peachy.
Skyfire mobile browser 0.8 reaches public beta, still rocks
We love Skyfire's mobile browser, it does what it's meant to do and more importantly, it adds to your mobile web world with all the dynamic content you're used to on your desktop. Skyfire gets all this done by doing all the grunt work on their servers, then passing only the joy down the pipe to you -- so no Flash is no problem. This release piles new features in compared to the first we peeked at, and they've opened the doors wide in a public beta for all to enjoy for the Windows Mobile version -- well, if your phone number starts with a 1 -- this time. Features like contextual zoom, which figures out what part of the page you want to zoom in on when scrolling past it -- which worked really well with Viddler videos for example -- faster launch times, able to be set as default browser, search from your home screen, content download, and the list just goes on. But don't take our word for it, the price is still $free and what's to lose but a bit of time.
Skyfire for Symbian beta keys: get 'em while they're hot
Skyfire's Symbian S60 browser beta kicks off today and to celebrate the event we're bringing you 100 codes to get in on the fun. On the off chance you missed the news posted earlier this week, this browser supports AJAX, Quicktime, Windows Media, and Flash -- to name a few -- all rendered and delivered to your set by a Skyfire server. So what's the rub you ask to get at these beta codes? Nothing, just plop your email addy in the comments and we'll get them out to the first 100 folks to reply. Enjoy and let us know what you think.Update: Info has been sent, if you didn't get one, better luck next go-round.Update: Some folks are reporting the beta code isn't being accepted. We'll look into this and try and find out what's going on
Skyfire for Symbian now in beta
While Skyfire continues to promise big things on the Windows Mobile front -- a front that needs as many high-quality browsers as it can get -- there's another beta getting underway at the company for a S60 version of its Flash-enabled web viewer. Like Opera Mini and Deepfish, Skyfire renders content server-side -- and in addition to Flash, it's packing support for Quicktime, Windows Media, Silverlight, and AJAX, so it should serve up a pretty PC-like experience. Unfortunately, that's an experience that only a select few in the private beta can enjoy at the moment, but Skyfire's now taking signups for Beta 2, so get in (or at least try to) while the gettin's good.[Via IntoMobile and Symbian Freak]
Skyfire browser released in limited beta
Lots of happy Windows Mobile users pinging the old Engadget tip jar tonight as the Skyfire seeds its first beta release of the browser. It's v0.5, and while we didn't get our download today, we'll be keeping a close eye on this one.
Skyfire browser for Windows Mobile is game changing, does Flash
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/software/Skyfire_browser_for_Windows_Mobile_is_game_changing_does_Fl'; The Skyfire browser is set to finally bring PC-like browsing to your Windows Mobile device with crazy speeds and support for all manner of embedded content. Sure, there are ways to get Youtube and other mobile video content through proxy sites that convert on the go or with other 3rd-party applications, but this puppy does it all in one sweet and free package. Facebook and Myspace pages load up in no time, video plays in the browser, and all of this is accomplished with some server side magic on the part of the Skyfire server but is completely transparent to the user. All flavors of Windows Mobile -- 5 and 6 for both touchscreen and not -- are supported with the roadmap hinting at Symbian support in the near future. Sounds too good to be true? It is, and you don't have to just take our word for it, follow the read link to get signed up for the beta, this is something that just cannot be missed.Update: Check the video of it in action after the break.
