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If you’ve ever used a browser on a mobile device, you know what kinds of issues you can run into. Pages are either a watered-down “mobile” version of the full page, or if the device can render the desktop version of the page, the device frequently runs out of memory and can’t do things like play flash videos and the like.
On Friday, I got to watch a demo of Skyfire over Skype Video given by Skyfire CEO Nitin Bhandari. Skyfire is a mobile browser that aims to bring the full PC browsing experience to your mobile handset. Obviously, they can’t do much about the difference in screen size, but they can make the user interface non-intrusive–the elements “go away” when they aren’t in use–and they are minimal, but elegant.
The browser is kind of like Opera Mini in that it requires a special backend proxy to do a fair amount of preprocessing on the content. The rendering engine on the device itself, though, is Gecko, i.e. the same thing used in Firefox on the desktop. This combination, though, is able to deliver a very compelling browser experience on a mobile handset.
In the live demo, I saw a Skyfire-rendered version of ESPN. I compared it to the version rendered on my Mac, and it was identical. Skyfire even played the embedded flash video fairly well. I tried the same site on my Nokia N95 and it ran out of memory trying to render the site.
I specifically asked about how SSL (encrypted) web pages were dealt with. Because it’s a “man in the middle” and by it’s very nature, has to see and repurpose the web pages for your device, it will see all of your encrypted, private data that passes through the service. That being said, I was assured they understand this issue, have taken steps to minimize the likelihood your private data will leak outside their servers, and will spell it out in the privacy policy.
Skyfire is entering a private beta period for Windows Mobile devices in the U.S.. I was told to expect an Nokia S60 version of this browser sometime this quarter and expect other platforms and geographies later on.
I can’t wait until I see this in person. The demo I saw looked really promising.
...Skyfire is entering a private beta period for Windows Mobile devices in the U.S.. I was told to expect an Nokia S60 version of this browser sometime this quarter and expect other platforms and geographies later on....
thats what it said on the last paragraph in the article.
What interests me the most about this is that it takes some of the server side goodness of Opera Mini and throws in the Gecko engine and makes it native (I HATE java apps).
As I have now both a WM6 and my trusty S60, I'd be interested on both accounts.
Thanks for the link love, folks. Wish I had a Windows Mobile device to try it in now. Supposedly, I'll get an early look on Symbian, but I'll wait until I see it.
Being able to see what was rendered on the demo versus what was rendered on my web browser and seeing they were the same was quite a thrill. Given that I use Firefox and they use the Gecko rendering engine, I would hope the screens would look the same.
Whether or not a page will render properly depends on a number of factors, including the number of apps open. I can guarantee you I am NOT running the original firmware here. In fact, it's likely a newer version than you're running.
"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 by Skyfire under an automatically generated, random identification number (“ID Number”) that will not be associated with or linked to your Personal Information. Please be aware, though, that your Browser Usage Information, when viewed in the aggregate, may reveal your identity even if it is not associated with or linked to your Personal Information."
01-28-2008, 11:11
DOUBLE BURN 
Linear Mode
