Web -- Engadget Mobile

Skyfire for BlackBerry reaches private beta, BlackBerry browsing a little closer to not sucking (updated: nope, still alpha)

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 13th 2009 @ 7:02PM

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.

T-Mobile reveals some juicy G1 stats, half of users traded up from dumbphones

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 1st 2009 @ 7:59PM

As Android goes, all eyes might be on the Magic at this point -- but T-Mobile USA's still rocking the G1 hard, and they've got the stats to prove it. The carrier has announced that "roughly half" of its G1 buyers traded up from a dumbphone of some sort, which should really help them put that nascent 3G network through its paces in earnest. Proof of that lies deeper in the numbers: 80 percent of G1 customers are browsing the web on a daily basis from the comfort of their device -- a testament to the goodness of WebKit, we reckon -- over half are using Facebook and YouTube at least once a week, and half are hooking up to WiFi on a daily basis. HTML and streaming video aren't the only things burning through AWS bandwidth, though; T-Mobile's also claiming that the average G1 customers has downloaded over 40 frickin' apps from the Android Market, and four out of five download apps at least once per week. We imagine that number will level off now that paid apps are scaling up, but still -- that's an impressive stat.

Opera Mini 4.2 escapes beta, arrives for Android

by Darren Murph posted Jan 29th 2009 @ 10:40AM

It's tough to find someone who doesn't appreciate the amenities in Opera Mini, and we have to say, that hamstrung version that hit the Android Market in November just made us yearn for the real deal. Thankfully, that waiting window has finally closed. As of today, mobile surfers can suck down the non-beta version of Opera Mini 4.2 for Android, complete with easier URL entry, upload / download support and the ability to zoom in / out on double tap and handle multimedia files. Give it a go and report back with any praises / gripes, won'tcha?

[Via phonescoop]

Mobile Firefox (Fennec) being developed for Symbian

by Darren Murph posted Dec 17th 2008 @ 4:30AM

We can't be certain, but we're fairly sure we just heard the remnants of a million celebratory shouts from Symbian users the world over. Mobile Firefox, the promising web browser that just went alpha a few months back, is reportedly well on its way to S60 land. According to Mozilla's Christian Sejersen, the team feels that "in order for Mozilla to be relevant in the smartphone space, it needs to have a presence on the Symbian platform." Better still, the crew has already sparked up conversation with Symbian engineers, and early word has it that an initial release could be but months away. It's cool, you have every right to be thoroughly stoked.

[Via UnwiredView]

Symbian S60 HTML Editor: one less reason to own a PC

by Darren Murph posted Dec 2nd 2008 @ 8:59PM

Okay, so it's not like you're going to want to build entire websites from scratch using this application, but it's still nice to have in a pinch. The S60 HTML Editor requires only an S60-based smartphone, Python and the appuifw2 extension module; from there, users can indulge in simple HTML editing for tweaks on the run. Before you laugh it off, how do you know this post wasn't hand-coded using this very program? Huh? You're right, it wasn't.

[Via IntoMobile]

Skyfire v0.85 supposedly available for worldwide consumption

by Darren Murph posted Nov 26th 2008 @ 4:33AM

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.

Mobile Firefox (Fennec) alpha officially goes live

by Darren Murph posted Oct 19th 2008 @ 7:30AM

We knew the Fennec alpha was but moments away from release, but at long last, the wait is over. Mozilla has crafted a dedicated page for the early, early version of Mobile Firefox along with release notes, known issues, tips / tricks and installation instructions. Speaking of which, this release was made to be used solely on the N800 or N810 Internet Tablet from Nokia, though there are versions available for Windows, OS X and Linux computers in case you want to dabble from the comfort of your desktop / laptop. We won't bother keeping you any longer -- feast your eyes on the links below for all sorts of long-awaited mobile browsing goodness.

[Via NetworkWorld]

Read - Mozilla Fennec page
Read - Fennec video walkthrough
Read - Fennec on Windows Mobile screenshot

Firefox Mobile for Windows Mobile screenshots emerge, excitement builds

by Darren Murph posted Oct 12th 2008 @ 4:14PM

What else can we say? Sure, 2010 is a long ways out, but you knew good and well alpha / beta versions of Firefox Mobile would emerge long before then, right? Here we have the first living proof that Firefox Mobile (or Fennec, as it were) is alive and well for Windows Mobile, albeit in decidedly alpha form. Currently, the browser is managing an 88 out of 100 on the strenuous Acid3 test, which surely ain't bad for a handset-stricken browser. Hit the read link for a few more looks, and cross your fingers for a beta release sooner rather than later.

Digia @Web goes gold, UIQ gets serious browsing power

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 8th 2008 @ 7:03PM

As smartphone platforms go, UIQ is a pretty underserved one; it just doesn't command enough of a following (by either manufacturers or end users) to justify boatloads of serious third-party development. That's why we're especially delighted to see that Digia's @Web, a Webkit-based browser with touch control and desktop-grade rendering capabilities, has emerged from beta and gone live. The full version's not a free download -- you'll pay 8 (about $11) for the privilege, in fact -- but for diehard UIQers looking for a way to rock the interwebs, this is probably the ticket.

[Thanks, All About Symbian]

Continue reading Digia @Web goes gold, UIQ gets serious browsing power

Skyfire for Symbian now in beta

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 28th 2008 @ 8:28PM

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]

IBM project lets users make their own mobile versions of websites

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 16th 2008 @ 9:25PM

Tired of waiting for your favorite bowling enthusiast website to finally release its long-awaited mobile optimized version? Yeah, we hear that -- but if a new IBM research project ever sees the light of day, maybe we can just fix that glitch ourselves. "Highlight" is a Firefox-based plug-in that allows end users to script common tasks on sites and boil them down to super simple mini-sites that are more easily digested on mobile browsers, at which point the new sites are copied up to a proxy server that would theoretically be hosted by IBM or another company. There could be some resistance from sites that aren't so keen on having their content re-hosted somewhere outside of their control, but it sounds like IBM is ready to push forward with the project if it generates enough interest. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via textually.org and PC World]

Digia @Web outed in beta form

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 27th 2008 @ 5:18PM

Get your browsin' finger in championship condition, because it's about that time -- if UIQ's your weapon of choice, anyhow. The first beta of Digia's @Web finger-controlled browser for UIQ handsets has now been delivered as promised, though free registration is required on the company's site to get hooked up. If you have a chance to check it, do let us know how it goes, won't you?

[Via All About Symbian]

Digia @Web brings finger-controlled web browsing to UIQ

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 8th 2008 @ 6:55PM

If there are two words that are music to the ears of anyone looking to browse websites effectively on their phone, they've gotta be "WebKit" and "finger control." S60 Touch is moving Nokia squarely in that direction, and the other half of the Symbian puzzle, UIQ, is getting some love now as well. Digia is preparing its @Web browser, which claims to allow effective finger-based control of its WebKit-based browser -- though we're not lighting the fireworks and popping the champagne just yet since the effectiveness of finger control varies widely from implementation to implementation, and @Web's public beta won't be ready until some time later this month. Stay tuned, G900 owners (and G702 hopefuls).

[Via PHONE Magazine]

Move over, Opera Mini: TeaShark to offer desktop-quality browsing, too

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 26th 2008 @ 4:08PM

We're not sure what money there is to be made in the mobile browser game at this point -- especially with giants like Opera and Firefox throwing their hats fully into the ring -- but that's not really our problem, now, is it? TeaShark borrows the same basic concept as Opera Mini, offering full-fledged desktop style browsing while requiring nothing more than Java MIDP 2.0 support to get the job done. It also supports tabs, two levels of zoom, and an integrated RSS reader -- in other words, just about everything a modern mobile browser's gotta have to survive. If you give it a go, drop us a line and let us know what you think, k?

[Via Phone Scoop]

Mobile Firefox team shows off a few mockups

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 3rd 2008 @ 10:43AM

It's really early along, but the Firefox peeps are taking their first baby steps to try to flesh out exactly what Mobile Firefox is going to look like, and they'd like to know what you think. Mockups posted to Mozilla's wiki talk about the main display, history and bookmark displays, and tabbing functionality in great detail, noting differences in operation between standard and touchscreen devices (which are further subdivided between those that have QWERTY keyboards and those that do not). Though you can put aside any hope of getting an early build onto your own device, the team has posted XUL / Javascript code that'll run in Firefox on your PC and give you a partly functional idea of what's going on.

[Via Mobility Site and Mozilla Links]