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Home»BlackBerry News»News & Rumors

BOLT Browser 1.6 Released for BlackBerry Smartphones - Ability to Set as Default Browser and More

by Adam Zeis on 7 Dec 2009 09:09 AM
159
 

BOLT

BOLT Browser version 1.6 was released today, and it comes with the ability to be set as the default BlackBerry browser. BOLT has some great advantages over the stock browser, including its fast speed, full page rendering, ability to stream videos, upload large files and more. Now that BOLT can be set as the default browser, it is really stepping up the game and it sure to become the favorite for a lot of users.

This newest release of BOLT includes a number of important design enhancements, as well as incremental improvements driven by BOLT's users. For all mobile data networks that support it, BOLT 1.6 now offers full socket-based connectivity which can increase the page rendering speed of BOLT by as much as 15 percent. BOLT 1.6 also includes a new password manager, allowing usernames and passwords to be saved by the browser for easier and faster logins to users' favorite websites and online applications.

Responding to a frequent request from BOLT's BlackBerry smartphone users, BOLT 1.6 can now be set as the default browser on their smartphones. A version of BOLT created specifically for BlackBerry smartphones not only has all the features of BOLT, but also includes default BlackBerry shortcuts and optimizations.

BOLT is available in both a full and slimmed down lite version (for entr-level devices). The browser is totally free and is available for download from boltbrowser.com.

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159 Comments

Posted by Jleeblanch Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I was having an issue with BOLT when I upgraded to OS 5.0.

The back button didn't work anymore! I had to hit the menu button and select "back" from there... But now that issue is fixed!!

I also noticed that I no longer have to let BOLT access whatever site when first using it, which is great too!!

Thank you BOLT, great job! Loving the new features!!

 
 
Posted by leafs123 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

yup, i had the same issues...now fixed!!

 
 
Posted by bb8900edit Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Download took like 5 seconds literally. I love the new Bolt...Bye Bye Opera Mini. LoL

 
 
Posted by joelp228 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

is this browser better then opera mini beta? If so im switching over to bolt today.

 
 
Posted by Stang68 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Hard to say right now. They both have advantages but for now, I'll be using Bolt, mainly because the newest build of Opera Mini beta 5 sucks.

 
 
Posted by cenloe Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

With Opera Beta 5, certain websites would default to their mobile versions not matter what setting you had your browser set to (USA Today, Yahoo just to name a few). The only reason I kept Opera on my device was because of its ability to be the default for Tweet links, but now I can do that with Bolt, goodbye Opera!!

 
 
Posted by frostypauly Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I'm running a Storm 2 and I have both installed. Personally I think Opera 5 Beta 2 works great. There are some quirks, but over all I really like it:

*The "SpeedDial" home screen makes everything I use easy to find and open.
*Full touchablity works great! I like using the browser buttons without having to "click" the screen. Just touch.
*Renders super fast.

I did my own, very non-scientific, tests and Opera came out on top each time.

m.cnn.com = Opera rendered in 5 seconds. Bolt = 12 sec.
m1.crackberry.com = Opera 11 seconds. Bolt 32 sec.
en.m.wikipedia.org = Opera 7 seconds. Bolt 8 Seconds

I did these with all cache cleared and no history. All running on strong bars 3G to make it fair.

I personally think Opera renders faster and I prefer the interface. I'm able to look away at some of the irritants on Opera, like the suretype not working properly (i just go into landscape mode). There are some thoughtfull things too, like not having to enter www. or .com, it does this for you.

Entering a URL in bolt (on a storm) requires too many key strokes. I also like the full touch features in Opera. Bolt is nice, don't get me wrong, but if it were between the 2 and you're on a storm, I'd say Opera. I cannot comment on other devices. One may work better than the other depending on your device.

Bottom line it really comes down to which device you're on and what you prefer and what quirks between each program you're willing to put up with. Frankly, either is a plus compared to the BB Browser. But try them both out and decide for yourself. Run tests and see.

 
 
Posted by weg220 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I still dont like Bolt the favorites screen font is too small. To me it is as fast as Opera and when typing in a address on a Storm 2 the keyboard does not come up automtically.

I will stick with Opera.

 
 
Posted by Stang68 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Actually, just go to settings and turn off "in-line" typing. Everything types great now.

 
 
Posted by frostypauly Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Yeah but even when you turn off inline editing on a storm 2 and you touch the address bar...the cursor is always to the right of the "www." instead of the cursor being placed to the left. So you have to delete the www and retype. That's 7 extra key strokes.

 
 
Posted by The Gift Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I'll give it one last try, but really I'm content with Opera.

 
 
Posted by JustaNJDiva Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Regarding the small font, go to Preferences and increase Magnification to 3XLarge.

 
 
Posted by syb0rg Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

just downloaded it to my 9700 (.405) and everytime i select a hyper link it just refreshes my screen.... i'll try a battery pull but i doubt it will do anything @ this point....

just did a battery pull... not if i press menu > select it will select the hyper link but i just use the track pad or "enter" key it just refreshes...

 
 
Posted by aceman118 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Are you using bolt 1.6? I had that issue with the old version but 1.6 works great on my 9700 so far.

 
 
Posted by BB_Storm4me Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Does it work decently with the Storm 1 or 2? Any benchmarks of time to load with major websites?

 
 
Posted by weg220 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

it is pretty fast on a storm 2 to the download took 5 seconds.

 
 
Posted by frostypauly Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

very non-scientific, but I found rendering faster on opera

http://crackberry.com/bolt-browser-1-6-released-ability-set-default-brow...

 
 
Posted by Teddyp6 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I was a Opera user until the recent upgrade to Opera Mini 5 2. It didn't work very well on my Bold 9700 but Bolt works great and is just as fast as Opera

 
 
Posted by NCREDIBLE GARY Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

BOLT Browser 1.6 sucks! I'll stick to Opera Mini 5 beta 2.

 
 
Posted by YMark Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Is that version 1.6 is no different than the other versions of this garbage software.

 
 
Posted by hoosercub Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Opera Mini 5 Beta 2 sucks hard.. doesn't even work on my Tour..

 
 
Posted by BootlegZani Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Agreed. It works on initial launch then promptly freezes up on my Tour. I'm running the last VZW BB OS release. 4.7.1.61

 
 
Posted by hoosercub Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

And I have 5.0.0.230.. the old Opera worked fine on it.. but not the new one.. I think they really just intended that second beta for the Storm/Storm2 because my brothers shitty Storm1 runs awesome with the new 5.0 OS and the Beta2 runs amazing on there.. makes me jealous and almost miss my storm. Then I look at my free memory and it makes up for it :)

 
 
Posted by mainman1303 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Opera's latest browser is much more 'storm2' friendly! Bolt text is so small and cnt click any where without making a mistake...

i still think opera mini is the best browser...not a fan of bolt on the storm 2....

 
 
Posted by sokar42 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I'd agree, with the storm 1 as well, text is to small. Doesn't respond very well to the touchscreen, causing lots of mistakes. Every with setting the preferences... deleting bolt.

 
 
Posted by vykacet Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

and with the storm, it doesn't bring the keyboard up automatically when i click in a text field. i need to make sure the cursor is in there, then hit bberry button, then "show keyboard"

what fun is that?

 
 
Posted by rey_1178 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

i dl bolt but am not able to set as the default browser in my tour

 
 
Posted by rey_1178 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

just noticed the link to download the launcher for this.

 
 
Posted by jordanodiaz87 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

having the same issue, can you explain how you set BOLT as default?

 
 
Posted by cenloe Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I think being the default browser means hovering over a link and then hit the menu button, and then choose which browser to open your link.

 
 
Posted by Foulwx Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Nope. I hit the BB key from a link. Only option is to open link and it brings up the BB browser. I'd really like to set it to Bolt - it's much faster.

 
 
Posted by rey_1178 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

just download this application and it will automatically set it to the default browser: http://boltbrowser.com/bblauncher.jad

 
 
Posted by edhoru Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I downloaded the launcher, but the links in emails are still open with the bb browser

 
 
Posted by JasW Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I had the same problem, then I read the announcement on the BOLT site -- it says *plain text* email (i.e., not HTML). So I sent myself a plain text email with a link, and sure enough, when you hit the BB button while the link is selected, the default menu entry is "Get link in BOLT." (Or you can just click on the trackball and it goes right to BOLT.)

This is not really useful because hardly anyone ever sends plain text email anymore, let alone links in plain text email.

 
 
Posted by Jes7r Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

reboot your phone

 
 
Posted by eBud Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

...then why can't the print size be set to something larger than it is? Still too small. Thanks anyway.

 
 
Posted by Chunberry Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

You can save passwords and usernames too.

 
 
Posted by DonnyG2 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Hey fellas, any idea as to how it becomes the default browser?

 
 
Posted by joshua.worth Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

=)

 
 
Posted by rey_1178 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

down load this and it will automatically become ur default browser. http://boltbrowser.com/bblauncher.jad

 
 
Posted by Dragondima Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I'm glad that Bolt continues to better itself, but these small insignificant features don't really strike me as any big deal. I'm still looking forward to a browser like SkyFire! Streaming, and full desktop browser functionality! Bolt pick up your game!

 
 
Posted by Lunchmeat99 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

It works fine...

to correct font issue some are complaining about go into preferrences and change Magnification to Xlarge or larger. Default is Large but it is pretty small I agree.

to set bolt as the default browser you need to download the bblauncher module from the same page as the browser...after install you will need to reboot for it to take effect.

 
 
Posted by rey_1178 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

i didn't have to reboot to for the settings to take effect on the tour

 
 
Posted by pbc Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Does one delete the "core" RIM Browser after installing Bolt or do you have to keep it?

 
 
Posted by collin16 Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Do not delete the core browser. The Bolt Browser will "override" the native browser as default, you don't need to delete anything

 
 
Posted by joshua.worth Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

To make default just go back to the download page and download the launcher that makes it the default browser. I guess its early I have to give yall a break for not reading the download page

 
 
Posted by hoosercub Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

I can't seem to get this to download.. it always fails.. I need an alternative to Opera Beta 2 since it epic fails on the Tour

 
 
Posted by Suprah Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

i get this everytime i try to install the bolt 1.6 update ----> http://i46.tinypic.com/2d0c1sp.jpg

 
 
Posted by hoosercub Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

Download Failed..

OK
Cancel..

doesn't matter which version of the 1.6 I try.. same result.. and my BIS is fine..

 
 
Posted by oneshortsleeve Monday, Dec 07, 2009 788 days ago

For the Tour, go to http://www.opera.com/mini/next/download/ on your P.C. and download version 4.3.

You should be able to install using Desktop Manager. If not, you will need to use Blackberry Swiss Army Knife (free download).

It seems the link they provided originally worked only for touch-screen devices.

 
 
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