Skyfire out for touch hd - Touch HD Themes and Apps

apologeez if this article has already been made but too excited to care. just installed skyfire on my htc touch hd and it works. go to skyfire.com and download it.

Is this likely to be better than Opera already preinstalled?

I'm afraid it's still the same upscaled vga version that's been out for a while.

clown is correct, it's still an improvement over the old skyfire with which you had to use vgaFix with (even nice then alpha), but it's still not quite it.
Also, clown, I have a question (hope you read this), since you're using Dutty's Rom....do people know that if you add where you live to the world clock, it will sync with the weather and display it in the New Appointment in Calander? I don't want to start a thread if everyone already knows.
Thanks

It does 'work', in the sense you can see Flash/video content in-page, but it's important to remember Skyfire is a proxy browser - everything goes via their own server first, and all your form filling goes back through their servers too.
I'm liking the rich media, but not enough to risk them seeing my credit card details, passwords and browsing history!

Tried it a couple of times, and tbh, it's slow as hell.
Think I'll be taking it off soon.

c_lee said:
It does 'work', in the sense you can see Flash/video content in-page, but it's important to remember Skyfire is a proxy browser - everything goes via their own server first, and all your form filling goes back through their servers too.
I'm liking the rich media, but not enough to risk them seeing my credit card details, passwords and browsing history!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somehow I doubt the $100k+ salary microsoft engineers care about your credit card number.... or would waste their time looking at your browsing history. Even if they were able to go through all that data and find your card number, you think they'd risk their job for the measily couple Ks in your bank account....ya I doubt that. Not to mention you're one of how many 100s of thousands of people using it daily. But hey, that's your perogative

Svegetto said:
Somehow I doubt the $100k+ salary microsoft engineers care about your credit card number.... or would waste their time looking at your browsing history. Even if they were able to go through all that data and find your card number, you think they'd risk their job for the measily couple Ks in your bank account....ya I doubt that. Not to mention you're one of how many 100s of thousands of people using it daily. But hey, that's your perogative
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not the Microsoft bods I'd be worried about, and I believe that's the point...

c_lee said:
It does 'work', in the sense you can see Flash/video content in-page, but it's important to remember Skyfire is a proxy browser - everything goes via their own server first, and all your form filling goes back through their servers too.
I'm liking the rich media, but not enough to risk them seeing my credit card details, passwords and browsing history!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you think; the opera mobile, o.mini, IE mobile etc. work in different way than the skyfire? You are wrong!
Like you said before : "everything goes via their own server first"
And the main benefit from it is that pages are loaded quicker.

Feromon said:
What do you think; the opera mobile, o.mini, IE mobile etc. work in different way than the skyfire? You are wrong!
Like you said before : "everything goes via their own server first"
And the main benefit from it is that pages are loaded quicker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera Mini uses proxying (it compresses to OBML) but in doing so they break end-to-end SSL, and so many secure sites (eBay etc.) refuse the traffic. Opera Mobile connects direct unless you specifically set up a proxy service. Skyfire uses the same concept as Opera Mini, and so breaks the SSL chain, but unlike O-mobile there's no option to turn it off. Because the proxy compression process results in unencrypted data on Skyfire's server (albeit transiently) a number of credit card companies have said the idea (based on how O-mini does it) breaks their rules on fraud protection, so the customer wouldn't be compensated if the card details were stolen.
IE Mobile on WM6.1 does not use proxying. Project Deepfish did, but that was closed in 2008 and the servers disconnected.

c_lee said:
Opera Mini uses proxying (it compresses to OBML) but in doing so they break end-to-end SSL, and so many secure sites (eBay etc.) refuse the traffic. Opera Mobile connects direct unless you specifically set up a proxy service. Skyfire uses the same concept as Opera Mini, and so breaks the SSL chain, but unlike O-mobile there's no option to turn it off. Because the proxy compression process results in unencrypted data on Skyfire's server (albeit transiently) a number of credit card companies have said the idea (based on how O-mini does it) breaks their rules on fraud protection, so the customer wouldn't be compensated if the card details were stolen.
IE Mobile on WM6.1 does not use proxying. Project Deepfish did, but that was closed in 2008 and the servers disconnected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's not quite true but maybe I'm wrong. Correct me if so...
Opera does exactly the same. Both Opera and Skyfire pre-render websites through their proxies, the difference being that Opera is text-based and Skyfire is image-based.
That's why Opera loads slower and scrolls quickes (loads the whole text part of the website at once), while Skyfire loads quicker and scrolls slower (loads only the visible part as compressed image, google maps style).

I really don't understand it....everytime I go to their web page I can't seem to download it eventhough I already selected touchscreen and click the download button, nuthin happens

Feromon said:
I think it's not quite true but maybe I'm wrong. Correct me if so...
Opera does exactly the same. Both Opera and Skyfire pre-render websites through their proxies, the difference being that Opera is text-based and Skyfire is image-based.
That's why Opera loads slower and scrolls quickes (loads the whole text part of the website at once), while Skyfire loads quicker and scrolls slower (loads only the visible part as compressed image, google maps style).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera Mobile is not using a proxy, Opera is however launching a new version with a option to use a proxy, search on Opera Turbo.

Related

Skyfire anyone?

This is intented just for the US as privet beta.
Any one got is hands on?
http://www.skyfire.com/product
Cheers,
It's not out yet.
Yeah, but did anybody download the beta? and can they share that with us?
They've changed this privacy policy in the last day or so, but here is part of it, which explains why I won't ever touch Skyfire...
(from http://www.skyfire.com/about/privacy-and-security)
Skyfire Labs, Inc. (“Skyfire”) has developed a mobile web browser (the “Browser”) that enables you to surf the internet, interact with websites and send and receive content (collectively “Browser Usage”) on your mobile phone, PDA and other handheld electronic devices. When you use the Browser, Skyfire has access to, and in many cases will monitor, your Browser Usage.
...
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. By downloading our Browser and accepting our Terms of Use (which includes acceptance of this Privacy Policy), you have given us your express consent to collect and use Browser Usage Information and tie it to an ID Number.
dude who cares its still going to be really cool so what they will know what your looking at dont do your banking or anything else to important look up your favorite youtube videos read the news and look at your fav teams scores on espn and let them watch
Of course I'd not do any banking or similar, but the point is... do you want Big Brother watching your every move?
AdamR78 said:
Of course I'd not do any banking or similar, but the point is... do you want Big Brother watching your every move?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
being honest i have to say i don't mind, let them record what they want.
do you think your ISP/Mobile carrier does not log your usage via IEM/Opera mobile etc?
i work for a mobile carrier and can tell you they do.
Chris

Skyfire vs Opera

What do you thing about Skyfire?
I think its really faster with loading an entire page, but if you want to browse fast and have a bad connecting its bad.
On Opera you could stop loadíng a page if you see what you want to see...this is impossible on skyfire...this really sucks...
Altoutgh scrolling on large pages them to be much smoother on Opera...
Mhm what do you think?
Ill keep testing them
Greetz
Jonas
I like them both! I love the SkyFire default page, that integrates my gmail, facebook, twitter and RSS feeds in one timeline. I also appreciate that flash works properly.
One thing I struggle with is that, as SkyFire renders the page for a desktop PC then pumps it to the phone, often the text columns are too wide to view, even when zoomed out fully. For pages like these, Opera is best.
I think that most advanced users will want to install both browsers. On my PC, I have chrome and firefox, depending on what I'm doing. Same thing for my phone I guess.
Non-advanced users? Well, what are you doing on XDA-Devs?
I really like both.
Skyfire love the home page with Gmail and other feeds. Also flash works. However I wish they'de sort out the scrolling, and zooming.
If it scrolled smother / faster and zoomed better it'd be my browser of choice.
As a result I mainly use Opera, but do use both. I'm certainly keen to keep an eye on updates from both.
To be honest, one needs all three browsers: IE, Opera and Skyfire.
Here's my break down:
- Opera is first choice for regular browsing. Loads fast and renders pages in the most intuitive way for mobile device. Most eye candy on web pages is also well rendered (except for video)
- Skyfire. I don't like the interface and I one is constantly scouring the page to find what one is looking for.
However, it is the BEST browser to browse feature rich pages and pages with video such as Youtube.
- IE. So what do I use IE for?? 1) Sometimes when in hotels with a complementary WiFi connection, you have to log in and the provider somehow only recognises the IE browser. 2) My Favorites are linked to IE. e.g when getting in my car the first thing I do is check for speed traps. I have linked a hardware button to a list of my favorites. Being in the car (and probably already driving.......) I don't want to fiddle around with the screen, zooming in etc. In IE you can fix the zoom level and therefore get an instant overview of the info that matters without major distraction.
Hope this helps people.
Y i agree with you, one more thing to add with IE, only one that support certificates. So using my online BANK service for example so i can jut transfer money anywhere directly from my mobile phone
I just wish the three browsers could combine into a super browser... I love the feeds on the homepage of Skyfire, however navigating through menus is slooooow whereas on Opera once you touch it, it loads the menu (for bookmarks, history, settings, etc.). Also the flash working on Skyfire is a huge plus, but scrolling and zooming is terrible. Opera Mobile 10 Beta has the best scrolling/zooming I've experienced. Opera Mobile 9 isn't as smooth but better than Skyfire. The advantages of IE of couse as others have stated, compatibility reasons... I normally use Opera, but sometimes I switch over to Skyfire, but end up being annoyed at how slow menus work, and go back to Opera. If I had to stick with one I'd say Opera 10 Beta has been the best for me. Even allowed me to use the facebook chat feature within the browser which I can never get to run smooth in Skyfire.
I quite like Skyfire, although you have to wait until the whole page has been rendered & then sent to you. So it's a bit slow in that respect. But it always renders a page as you'd see on your PC - Opera does not always do that, to my annoyance.
What I CANNOT understand is why Skyfire takes so long to open up the favourites page (it's on the phone, right? - or is it??)
I do most of my browsing on Opera (9.7), but occasionally use Iris...

Browsers

does anybody think that opera made opera mini & 10 final because they are starting to develop a browser for wp7? or is this all just a big coincidence that they did the day after MIX or maybe they have giving up on windows phones & are just gonna focus on android??
thoughts?
No native code equals no alternative browsers.
vangrieg said:
No native code equals no alternative browsers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not so sure i believe that there wont be other browsers, why else would they say that they have no problems with other browsers on the platform just to not allow it or to force them to use the IE engine (wouldnt they need native code or special access to even do that?)
is it possible to get flash working without native code? cuz if not then that shows that they are willing to let it be used i think there will be opera on wp7 & im not talking about that mini crap
Why wouldn't they say they have no problems with alternative browsers? Sure they are nice unlike Apple, you can make any application you want... as long as it's done in SL/XNA.
And of course they do their own stuff in C++, they're not crazy.
As regards Flash, yes, that will be done in C++ as well, no doubt about it. But that adds value to their IE, while Opera is another matter. We'll see. So far they said specifically that SL/XNA is "the whole developer story".
Opera is going to be an option on WP7, but it can never be the default browser.
vangrieg said:
Why wouldn't they say they have no problems with alternative browsers? Sure they are nice unlike Apple, you can make any application you want... as long as it's done in SL/XNA.
And of course they do their own stuff in C++, they're not crazy.
As regards Flash, yes, that will be done in C++ as well, no doubt about it. But that adds value to their IE, while Opera is another matter. We'll see. So far they said specifically that SL/XNA is "the whole developer story".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at the same time options with different browsers add value to wp7 & unless that new IE is better & faster then safari then they will need it
No because alternative browsers may easily have Google as default search engine.
vangrieg said:
No because alternative browsers may easily have Google as default search engine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IE on the pc can have google as the default search engine & even if the bowsers have it also you still wont be able to set google as the search button so people will still be using bing at the end of the day anyway
vangrieg said:
No native code equals no alternative browsers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera Mini doesn't run natively.
Yeah, but it's also not a browser really.
Microsoft never said that they wouldn't allow apps that competed with app that come with the platform. They said that It just can't be the default app. If you open a link in a outlook mail or you text message it will automatically go to the IE browser. But your allowed to use alternative browsers.
Shasarak said:
Opera Mini doesn't run natively.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm.. so what are you saying it is? .NET?
vangrieg said:
No native code equals no alternative browsers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that simple. Opera's income from the mobile market segment does not come directly from the end users (it's free, remember?). They deal with manufacturers and network operators to get their browsers integrated with their software. Microsoft have announced that OEM partners will be allowed to run native code so this COULD mean that Opera could be bundled with some phones if Microsoft sees it fitting. I doubt it though.
Nilzor said:
Uhm.. so what are you saying it is? .NET?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The opera mini I use seems to be a java app.
Nilzor said:
I doubt it though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's the point anyway, isn't it?
asadk said:
The opera mini I use seems to be a java app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's latest WM version is native, there's nothing that prevents it from being made in C# or whatever - it's not a browser anyway, as it doesn't include a rendering engine, just a UI client for a cloud service.
vangrieg said:
It's latest WM version is native, there's nothing that prevents it from being made in C# or whatever - it's not a browser anyway, as it doesn't include a rendering engine, just a UI client for a cloud service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera Mobile is a native app; Opera Mini is Java.
Shasarak said:
Opera Mobile is a native app; Opera Mini is Java.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Previously, yes. However, there is now is a native Opera Mini for WM. Of course, it's still using pre-rendering on Opera's servers.
Since iphone has such a huge market share, wont the anti-trust laws apply to Apple for not allowing any other browser other than safari??????
There will be Opera for WP7S. Microsoft has already said they will allow 3rd party browsers.
Flash has to be native code, and Microsoft has already siginaled there will be exceptions to allow native code. It is just they prefer you to do it with Silverlight or XNA if you can, and probably won't allow you unless contact them first with a reason.
krjcook said:
Microsoft never said that they wouldn't allow apps that competed with app that come with the platform. They said that It just can't be the default app. If you open a link in a outlook mail or you text message it will automatically go to the IE browser. But your allowed to use alternative browsers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the way, I don't see why this restriction of making alternative default applications is often dismissed as minor. How are you going to use Opera really if it can't be launched from other apps by clicking links, without copy/paste, no access to filesystem and without the ability to access IE bookmarks even? It'll pretty much be limited to entering URLs manually or using whatever built-in bookmarks/cloud storage they ship with. While technically and legally this is indeed "allowing third party browsers", realistically it's very close to "you can't use anything but IE on WP7".

What keys am I hitting?

I use stock browser with quick controls turned on. This has happened about three times now. I'm on a forum andi have about 4 or 5 browser tabs open. I'm finishing a long letter and I'm hitting the submit button. Suddenly I'm at android's home screen. I hit the browser button and my letter is gone including all tabs.I don't know what I'm doing to cause this.i don't even know what buttonsi could hit to make all the browser tabs to close at once. Does anyone have any idea? Thanks.
You're running out of memory. If rooted, try changing your low mem settings.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
If you are running out of memory while browsing the web, there is something wrong with your unit. That should not be happening.
Is that what's really going on? I thought maybe I was hitting a combination of keys with the outer palm of my hand or something.
My evo 3d has a gig of memory (800 something useable), and to many browser tabs, plus some music playing, etc will kill my browser. It's not really out of memory per se just the oom value of the browser gets up there too high. Especially with the values most people set by default on custom roms. What's the default for the tab?
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
I don't understand. How do I look that up?
It happened today also and I'm positive this time I didn't accidentally hit any buttons or keys.
Every problem I had went away when I installed Opera browser. No more crashes. No more stuttering, choppy YouTube videos. Working select text, copy, and paste. No more bumping the wrong links or accidently closing on-screen keyboard because I hit the spacebar wrong. No more opening windows because my finger accidently strayed across the screen. Everything just works now. Boy am I glad I tried Opera. If you're having any of these issues I suggest giving Opera a try.
Unfortunatly, Opera wont work for some sites that use certain javascript functions and most sites that I use break in Opera (tables & forms dont show up properly). Luckily Ive never really had a problem with the stock browser, but I think the reason why is because I have pluggins set to On Demand. If you ever feel like giving the stock browser another shot I'd highly recommend to keep the plugins set to on demand and clearing out the cache every once in a while doesnt hurt either.
crossix said:
Opera wont work for some sites that use certain javascript functions and most sites that I use break in Opera (tables & forms dont show up properly).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please give some examples of sites that "break in Opera"? I am using Opera exclusively and I haven't experienced that problem.
I havent tried using Opera Moble recently, but the last time I worked with it one of my banking sites wouldn't let me login due to javascript errors that were only present while using opera. Also, I use my tablet for supporting customers while out in the field and the primary site I support does not function properly under opera (things like javascript links, the div wrapped tables and embedded videos do not display properly or sometimes not at all).
Opera is great for sites using html5 and simple javascript functions, but I cant use it as my daily driver when it wont play nice with my development stuff and refuses to render pages properly that my clients create. I want to be able to use one browser for everything, not be in the middle of a call and have to tell a customer "oh wait, give me just a sec I have to switch browsers, I forgot your site uses a ajax generated, javascript pop-up and I cant scroll it".
I'd link a specific site as an example, but it would require customer permissiions to do so since their site requires authentication but here's a charted example you can see that while opera has issues other browsers do not: www.quirksmode.org/m/table.html
For the general public though, you shouldnt have an issue.

IE9 = Rubbish?

Maybe its just me, but using this takes me back to the early 00's with WAP connections, Take the mobile twitter site, its a text based affair with no graphics unlike iOS and android who display it like there mobile apps, same with various websites I load, the look like they did on my old Nokia 7210 I had back in 2002 where as Safari on iOS and the Android web browser look basically the same as they would on a computer. What the reason for this?
The short version is, web developers (at least, the ones for those companies) suck. They're testing for expecific browsers, rather than testing for browser capabilities. IE9 Mobile is actually better than the browser on most of the older Android phones (a lot of phones still ship with 2.3 brand new, and many older ones never even *got* 2.3). However, because the user-agent string it sends doesn't identify itself as a WebKit browser, or some such piss-poor shortcut test, the site send incredibly dumbed-down web code as its fall-back to "I don't even know what this is" mode.
Note that many other sites *do* correctly identify the WP7 browser... just not all of them. Also, some will give different experiences depending on the site; for example, m.facebook.com has a very different UI from touch.facebook.com.
As for sites looking like they do in the desktop, if you want that, put the browser in Desktop mode (it's under Settings, which apparently people never bother to check...) That will cause the browser to send a user-agent string that closely approximates the one used by desktop IE. Websites which use that to identify the browser will therefore send the desktop site code.
The problem is many sites are not recognising it as a smart phone and are displaying a barebone mobile website designed for feature phones rather than smart phones.
It's the fault of the web site developers and not the browser itself. The iOS and android browsers are actually rubbish because of the latest webkit exploit and the fact that within them you still can't easily change the user agent settings.
GoodDayToDie said:
The short version is, web developers (at least, the ones for those companies) suck. They're testing for expecific browsers, rather than testing for browser capabilities. IE9 Mobile is actually better than the browser on most of the older Android phones (a lot of phones still ship with 2.3 brand new, and many older ones never even *got* 2.3). However, because the user-agent string it sends doesn't identify itself as a WebKit browser, or some such piss-poor shortcut test, the site send incredibly dumbed-down web code as its fall-back to "I don't even know what this is" mode.
Note that many other sites *do* correctly identify the WP7 browser... just not all of them. Also, some will give different experiences depending on the site; for example, m.facebook.com has a very different UI from touch.facebook.com.
As for sites looking like they do in the desktop, if you want that, put the browser in Desktop mode (it's under Settings, which apparently people never bother to check...) That will cause the browser to send a user-agent string that closely approximates the one used by desktop IE. Websites which use that to identify the browser will therefore send the desktop site code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree here too. I was speaking with Yelp about being able to view their mobile site through IE9 and WP and for their site to just recognize that it's IE9 and they said they have no plans to make changes to their website to accommodate WP.
This basically means, not until they see it worth their time/effort. Which is lame, cause, really, how hard is it to test for it and then display the mobile site if it's IE9? Why alienate customers, even if it's a small (yet growing) segment?
For me, its not working.
yesterday i had to visit Utorrent's remote control (remote.utorrent.com) to do some changes to my torrents, But unforunately i couldn't pass the "Touch to fill the proggress bar" antispam feature. "Move mouse" for PC.
I tried it with both desktop view and mobile view. no good.
I think developers need to pay some love for WP7 and make a good browser for it
I'd like to see firefox but they didn't make it. Yet ..
The problem is many sites are not recognising it as a smart phone and are displaying a barebone mobile website designed for feature phones rather than smart phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happened to me alot, Sometimes i get "Your browser is too old/unsupported" error and guess what? They refuse to show the website for me
Why don't we have an opera browser? I would definitely use that.
I find IE9 to be good. Yes, its not the best and its not comparable to others but it does a decent job.
The problem is with developers. Dev's try a lot to customize their apps for specific browsers and in turn make it difficult for non-popular browsers.
That is one reason HTML5 is being so looked upon. Everybody needs a common non-plugin solution to have a consistent web experience, which is already supported by IE9 of WP7
Have you guys checked out the HTML 5 Browser Speed Tests:
http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/
There are some really good HTML 5 tests there that shows the speed of the IE9 browser running those HTML 5 pages. Sure, they are pages created by Microsoft but it still makes me wonder why the android browser and iPhone browser are really poor at loading up these pages.
slugger09 said:
Take the mobile twitter site, its a text based affair with no graphics unlike iOS and android who display it like there mobile apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twitter have fixed it.
Tone_ said:
Twitter have fixed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it was temporary.
Took them long enough, some tech writers jumped right into the IE9/WP7 bashing, even though it was on Twitter end
That also pretty much sums up and ends this thread.

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