The good folks at Skyfire have been hard at work trying to get the BlackBerry version of their browser primed and ready for release. Beta testing at this point has not been without its bumps though and while work moves forward, bugs and kinks are still indeed being worked out through testing.
You can check out the latest feature improvements and known bugs below. Some are to be expected and some of the changes are just simply awesome, especially the option of using Skyfire as the browser to launch when clicking on a link - this is not the option to set it as default, but it's close enough to not complain as a menu item is added when hovering over thinks that allows you to choose "Switch to Skyfire" which will launch Skyfire instead of the native BlackBerry browser. Read on for more information and a few screenshots.
Some of the features we did add:
- New Keyboard Shortcuts:
We mapped the keyboard shortcuts to be similar to the ones in the
native BlackBerry browser to offer a more familiar user experience.
- Switch to Skyfire:
Once Skyfire is installed, you’ll see a "Switch to Skyfire" option show
up in the options menu of the original Blackberry browser. We added
this feature to help when users click on links in email and SMS and end
up launching the native browser instead of Skyfire or when you navigate
to a web site that is better viewed in Skyfire.
- Text Entry in Thumbnail view:
You now don’t have to zoom-in to enter text. We resolved that issue and
now enter text directly in the thumbnail view of pages.
- Contextual zoom with camera corners:
Similar to the other Skyfire platforms, we now support contextual zoom.
Thus we detect areas of interest (say articles or images) and allow you
to zoom-in to areas easily by fitting the area of interest to the
screen dimensions.
- Faster zooming: You'll see a great
improvement in your ability to zoom. Unlike Alpha 2, the page displays
text at all zoom levels, without any redrawing of the screen. Less
checkerboards.
Know Bugs In The Latest Build:
- You cannot connect to Skyfire: We still have limited capacity
for this Alpha. Thus if enough testers are already browsing at the
moment, you might not be able to connect. Simply try again in a few
minutes. This is a good reminder as well to NOT share this alpha with
anyone (as per NDA), since this would limit capacity even further. The
next release will address this.
- General hiccups when entering
and exiting streaming mode, including: "An error occurred while playing
media" error message when flash object is detected and "streaming" mode
activated.
- Slow performance on 2.5G networks: We are still optimizing. You will get the best experience on 3G or WiFi networks for now.
- Error Messages: "An error occurred while playing media" error message in streaming mode.
- Volume Control bug: Sometimes you cannot control volume while in stream mode. This is a known BlackBerry bug.
- Refresh And Rendering Options: Stale tiles from the previously visited pages show up when scrolling up or down. We’re working on fixes to reduce checkerboards.
So far, I can same I am pleased with the SkyFire browser. Is it ready for primetime yet? Oh heck no. It still suffers from some serious memory issues at this point but to be fair, Skyfire did advise that all would not work right on 5.0 OS which I am running. That said though, they did welcome users to try it, if running 5.0 and the memory issue was still much a problem.
Skyfire has great potential for future releases there is no doubt about it. But at this point, I can't say that I would indeed use it on a regular basis as it stands. But hey, that's what beta testing is for.
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I'm still up in the air about which "other" browser to add to my Berry, maybe I'll just keep waiting until this one comes out because for me, the default one is fine for now.
I am really looking forward to this. Hopefully they will get the last few major bugs worked out and publicly release it soon.
I can't wait for this! I love the "Switch to SkyFire" option. That is such a great idea. I wish Opera Mini had that right now.
Finally in browser flash video! Sick!!!!
I had Skyfire on my old Windows Mobile phone is was awesome. I hope this comes to the Storm soon.
i was desperately looking for a link to download :(
will it run flash audio like on archive.org?
I CANT WAIT I NEED THIS NOWW lol ^_^
hey where is the download link, am i missing something HELP... I got like so pumped when I saw it up... I got light headed... lol
sorry its only for the beta testers for now.
Awesome! i can't wait!!
It says for everyone fools everybody.
it says for ALL BETA testers!!! Means you have to be one of the private Beta Testers.
It will not be for all until its in Public Beta testing.
get it?
but website says only for windows mobile and nokia phones so...i love my bold so i will not ever use it. between native, opera, bolt i'm good
Right now it only supports Nokia and Windows Mobile platforms. BB support is coming.
Can't wait! Need to download now! How long before its available?
Im using SkyFire on Nokia e75 and looks pretty good. Speed, zoom, support for Flash. Cant wait for SF for BB's
I've been on the Beta list since the beta was out for Winmobile and I didnt get an invite
Any worries about going over"Unlimited Data" aka 5 GBs with normal to heavier use?
No, I had it on my Treo and watched all kind of shows, the news, movies, etc and the most I eer used was 3GB.
looks great! eagerly anticipated!
Cant Waittt, the best browser ever!!
I really want to get this
Somebody send me their alpha copy.
maybe somebody's finger will slip and accidentally make a copy available to us crack heads = )
Will the menu show up and work the OEM themes installed that have transparent menus? Bolt's menus dont work, for me
anyway. Anybody know?
I use bolt & opera mini, but I'll be glad to check this one out when it does come out...
I used Skyfire on my Treo 700wx and its amazing. I cannot wait until they release this into public beta. For now Opera Mini will do just fine.
how do we get on this private beta?
i would more than happy to beta test this for you if you are still looking!!!
running a 9530 os 151
I cannot wait until this wonderful application arrives, opening links in Skyfire is genius. Now if only we could get flash on our Berrys...
I AM A BLACKBERRY ZOMBIE WAITING FOR FLASH SUPPORT.....
can someone gives us a link?
I NEED A LINK NOW
looks real good... can't wait
I am new to blackberrys and I am loving my 9530 Storm. Only thing I am missing is flash support. Can anybody in the know estimate when this will be released to the public?