WebKit-based Iris browser for Windows Mobile hits beta v2

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 16th 2008 at 9:00PM

We know how it goes -- once you get your Windows Mobile setup situated how you like it, making tweaks is a rare, rare occurrence. To that end, you probably passed on the highly dangerous first beta of the WebKit-based Iris browser. At long last, the entirely more stable beta v2 has emerged for those courageous enough to give it a go, and the designers are promising that the over 100 fixes and improvements make it "incredibly fast" and almost life-altering. If you're not keen on waiting for the next iteration of Internet Explorer Mobile, and if you're somehow not pleased with Opera Mini or Mobile Firefox, roll the dice with this one and see how things turn out.

[Via the::unwired]

Filed under: Software

Tags: internet, Iris, safari, torch, Torch Mobile, TorchMobile, web browser, web browsing, WebBrowser, WebBrowsing, webkit, windows mobile, WindowsMobile

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Neutral

cliffbelliveau @ Nov 16th 2008 10:47PM

Iris is the Chrome of mobile browsing right now. I'm a fan and especially like showing off the Iphone optimized web sites on my WinMo phone to my Apple fanboy friends ;) But this is getting to be a crowded space with PIE, Opera, Netfront, Skyfire, Firefox mobile, etc. ... But no clear winner on the MS platform, yet (MS, are you listening?).

Neutral

gar007dude @ Nov 16th 2008 11:54PM

Maybe i will try this. I use skyfire right now and it is ridiculously fast. What flash capabilities does Iris have?

Neutral

Dannyboy @ Nov 17th 2008 12:49AM

ok... so I know this is beta and all, but damn. This thing won't even load on my phone before the error report pops up. Does this not work for WinMo 6.1 or something? What a piece

Neutral

keithwwalker @ Nov 17th 2008 10:03AM

Is this as good as Netfront 3.5?

Neutral

tommyboy @ Nov 17th 2008 1:09PM

I tried beta 1 (really slow, buggy). and yesterday I dl and played with beta 2 (faster, less buggy). Overall, not a great browser. slow, zoom not very intelligent, navigation is clunky. About the only thing its good for is that will will allow you to see the full version of any site. With many other browsers, you are forced to their mobile version. But with Iris you get the real deal. I'd maybe use as a backup in case only.

Neutral

JBundy @ Nov 17th 2008 1:25PM

I've been testing this application from it's infancy ... it still sucks. By the way, I have in print from Torch that their browser piggy backs from some of IE mobile's stack ... this is the reason for the slowness. Write them to confirm this. I sh*t you not. This browser is not only non-self sufficient, it is basically IE Mobile wrapped in Webkit. Not a good strategy for developing a "better" browsing experience.