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Skyfire Windows Mobile Browser is Desktop-Like, Has Flash
Posted by Jason Chen at 7:55 AM on January 29, 2008
Windows Mobile has its share of desktop-esque browsers with the still experimental Deepfish, but this Skyfire browser seems to be better than what we've seen yet. It's desktop-class, yes, but it also has Flash, Java, and "full audio, video" support. You can see what they mean with a video demo after the jump, but the illustration above (YouTube, Google Maps) should be a pretty good indication of what you'll be able to do with a browser that doesn't suck. [SkyFire]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Neight
Posted 9:16 AM 29/1/08
For those of you that don't know, you can download flash 7 for windows mobile. Been around for a loooooooooooong time.
Check it:
[www.adobe.com]
Neight
aec007
Posted 9:16 AM 29/1/08
@smith186:
Which worries me about security....
Nevertheless, it's getting there! and very nice indeed!
aec007
smith186
Posted 9:16 AM 29/1/08
I signed up for the beta, but their privacy policy reveals some interesting things. Most notably that they claim to have access to all the sites that you visit using their browser. With that description, Skyfire might be closer to Deepfish, functioning more like a web preprocessor/cache, than a full browser (Opera Mobile, MiniMo, Pocket IE, etc).
smith186
ackthbbft
Posted 10:16 AM 29/1/08
This was demoed on a Sprint Mogul, I've heard. Maybe it's time for me to upgrade from my Treo 650p!
ackthbbft
Neight
Posted 10:16 AM 29/1/08
@draconis2941: That's not totally true. Sites that require such flash versions generally aren't sites that are condusive (nor built with that horrid W*H in mind) to viewing on a phone anyways. Sites such as YouTube though still compile in flash 7. 99% of ads are even still done in 7 or even 6. You would be suprised. I do flash dev for huge ad agencies and unless I'm working on some full blown app or site, I'm always astonished by the strict requirements still enforced on the agencies by the client or vendors.
Neight
o0adam0o
Posted 10:16 AM 29/1/08
Hmm...i love opera mini, however this has youtube and google maps..id like to compare them. Too bad its private beta :(
o0adam0o
univision
Posted 10:16 AM 29/1/08
I think it looks kinda lame. I love how they fast forward through the loading of Google. How long could it have took?
univision
binaryspiral
Posted 10:16 AM 29/1/08
It probably re-compiles the site for the app that runs on your phone. By this definition - it's a preprocessor that acts like a proxy for your browsing.
All your data goes through them... for better or worse.
Still, it finally looks like a mobile browser that doesn't suck.
binaryspiral
draconis2941
Posted 10:16 AM 29/1/08
@Neight: and most websites that use flash require the "most recent" flash player. In this case 9 not 7...
draconis2941
aceangel
Posted 11:16 AM 29/1/08
I bet this works much like the Sony PS3's Remote Play feature. It probably runs the site on another computer then streams the desktop to your phone, enabling you to visit complex sites using one of the standard desktop browsers. That is why it states in their Privacy Policy that they have access to all sites you visit.
aceangel
Gadgetgirl
Posted 2:15 PM 29/1/08
I signed up for the beta. But then again, I sign up for betas like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan shows up for the opening of *any* club.
Gadgetgirl
DrChaos
Posted 2:15 PM 29/1/08
how about some blackberry support, fellas!
DrChaos
jos
Posted 5:16 AM 30/1/08
Um... google maps works in the iPhone's Safari browser, the UI is just not nearly as good as the Maps Application.
jos
Worf
Posted 5:16 AM 30/1/08
If you want YouTube videos or flash video, Flash 7 won't cut it. You need Flash 8 or 9 to support YouTube and such.
Of course, TCP/MP with YouTube Mobile is doable...
Worf
jabberwolf
Posted 9:33 AM 3/3/08
Of course you know, Youtube used to work fine until google took it over and changed its format to work with iphone instead. Hmmmmm
Oh and the Map application on the iPhone IS GOOGLE MAPS !
jabberwolf
Quantum
Posted 9:33 AM 3/3/08
Great, Now If only some one would find an alternative for Windows Mobile OS ! That would be an extra !
Quantum
thabronx31
Posted 9:33 AM 3/3/08
Make sure you read the privacy message you agree too. I did, and I'm not putting that on my Tilt!!
thabronx31