Skyfire Beta 0.85 Released, I lost some interest

Skyfire, a mobile browser that I had given high hopes, finally got to its senses and released a new beta 0.85 that doesn't require registration. This release allows any user to download with a simple click from a mobile browser at (http://get.skyfire.com/). They've also expanded their service to UK for both WinMo and Symbian OS. Whats most exciting is the support for phones with VGA resolution; not sure how it will play with phones with higher than VGA resolution like the SonyEricsson Xperia X1.

Most of you will know that I was once a big fan of Skyfire. That is until their previous release, I ran into some issues installing the said release onto my Nokia N95-3. Skyfire registration kept telling me I do not have the correct login. I sent in a support request and NO ONE got back to me. As stated in my previous article, if a user like myself had issues, how will they expect mass public to over come it? I suppose with the latest beta, no more registration mess. Nevertheless, I feel like its too little too late. With Mobile Safari and iPhone taking the lead in the smartphone market, I feel very little need to look else where for another mobile solution. Not to mention, I've got the default Nokia Browser and Opera Mini for my Symbian needs.

Skyfire Beta, now officially open to WM and Symbian

Just got an email directly from the Skyfire folks that their beta mobile browser is officially available for download on Windows Mobile and Symbian OS device. All you have to do is go here and sign up to receive an SMS alert to begin download directly from your phone. Unfortunately, you'll have to register with them in order to get a password and use the application. While i am a big fan of the application, I am not too thrilled about that. Also somewhat concerned about the security aspect of this application considering that everything is powered by server-side according this article.

I have my N95-3 this week and I just downloaded and installed the beta application. However, I am having some trouble with launching since it said I've registered my account to another device previously (Robert's WM6 ATT Tilt), I will post an update once I sort out the mess.

Update: I tried resetting my password twice, no luck of account access to get my phone working, this process is too complicated and secretive for my taste, sorry Skyfire, if you keep this up, you'll likely run into user-support issues which may not help with gaining market share. Please fix this hurdle ASAP! Remove the password requirement.

Opera Mobile 9.5 Beta by July 15th

Yup, Opera Mobile, the leader in 3rd party mobile browser is finally going to give us a glimpse of the latest release they are working on. With my favorite contender Skyfire in the works, the battle for a superior aftermarket mobile browser is on. Opera Mobile 9.5 is said to support Flash Lite 3 and produce faster page load speed. We'll see about that! (source: downloadsquad)

Skyfire Secures $13M in Funding

Our favorite Windows Mobile browser, Skyfire, just secured $13M in Series B funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Matrix Partners and Trinity Ventures.

As you can see from our video review in the past, this browser unlocks a Windows Mobile smartphone's true potential and brings it up to the same leveled playing field with mobile Safari. It wasn't until recently, my Nokia N95-3's 20.2.011 firmware upgrade could I have accessed flash in the Nokia browser. I am still anxiously awaiting Skyfire to come out of private beta and release a version for Symbian S60 3rd edition phones.

This is exciting news, with funding and backed by venture partners, I can't wait to see some breakthroughs in their upcoming updates.

Skyfire Browser 0.6 Upgrade Available Today

Skyfire, (original review), the most promising Windows Mobile (and soon Symbian S60) browser just released an upgrade to its beta test. Upgrade your existing 0.5 or 0.55 license to 0.6 today (Your old browser will expire by May 7th, 2008). To upgrade, launch Skyfire on your phone and you'll notice an upgrade now link, click on it to receive an SMS link that takes up to the download link. Stay tuned for an updated review.

In the 0.6 version upgrade, they've addressed the following issues/update:

* Multi-line text entry (2,000 character limit)
* Auto-complete text entry
* Paste into URL or search
* Ability to delete bookmarks
* Multiple zoom modes for touch screen phones
* Double tap to Zoom In and Zoom Out
* Support for custom virtual keyboards (SIP)
* Web search shortcut in softkey menu
* Access to the Windows Mobile Taskbar in softkey menu
* Persistent settings for SmartFit, Mute and Zoom size
* Support for 12-key and 1/2 QWERTY devices
* Password masking
* Backlight usage based on system settings
* OK button sends Skyfire to the background

Click on the image from this entry to read the communication I just received 10 minutes ago. Cheers!

Update: Contributing editor Robert just finished upgrading his AT&T Tilt while on his way to Hawaii for vacation (what dedication!). He is very impressed with the multiple level zoom; the granularity of the zoom apparently is very good. We'll wait for Robert to provide an in depth review once he's spent more time with it.

Skyfire Beta: Initial Review

UPDATE: Skyfire Beta 0.6 Available Today (5/1/08)

{Robert Kim, a Microsoft employee and certifiable gadget freak, is a contributing editor of The Mobile Experience blog}

The Mobile Experience is pleased to bring you a first look at the promising Skyfire Mobile Browser Beta that was released a few days ago. Please find an exclusive video review of this browser in action. This beta was part of the "beta 1" group. If you signed up for Skyfire beta testing after March 1st, you'll likely end up being "beta 2" group which will begin testing in summer 08.

After Andy sent his beta 1 email for download/account setup instructions from Skyfire, I was able to complete the registration process fairly easily. I was prompted to get a beta account login ID and Password which is required for installation at a later point. I downloaded the .CAB file version for WM Pocket PC Edition; other versions (for WM Smartphone Edition is also available). After downloading and installing Skyfire on my HTC Tilt (Windows Mobile 6), I quickly tested the browser's performance and key abilities.

Pros
* Full screen browsing
* Easy to zoom-in
* Navigate easily around webpages
* Ability to view flash sites and handle JAVA applications (ie. Google Maps)
* Play videos directly on sites (ie. YouTube and DailyMotion)

Cons (Still in Beta)
* Start page is fairly empty
* Lack of Multi-Tab feature
* Zooming-out can use improvement
* Could use additiona levels of zoom

Check out my video testing a couple sites below:


Overall, I am extremely pleased with this browser for Windows Mobile phones. It allows me to have similar functionality as the acclaimed iPhone's browser. I am looking forward to the updates in the future and additional functionalities.

Skyfire Beta Update: Beta Availability Timeframe

Since my last reporting, I have gotten a couple more of emails from the fine folks at Skyfire. First email was to tell me that the phone number I provided during Beta 1 signup did not work for them, hence an email instruction to signup. At this point, I regret to inform you that I do not have a WM5 or 6 phone so I will attempt to sign up anyways just to see what happens. However, I know this beta is purely for Windows Mobile Devices.

Carrying on with the second email (click picture to enlarge) I've received from them is a more thorough update addressing why they've been slow in reaching out to the people who's signed up to Beta 1. In short, there are two batch of people who signed up for beta testing. Anyone who signed up before March 1st is considered beta 1 and will likely to get notifications soon. After March 1st, is considered Beta 2. They estimate Summer 2008 as available time frame to allow Beta 2 people to test. Skyfire is trying to regulate beta users and feedback so they can manage the process. Thoughtful!

There is a Symbian update from the second email:
In addition to adding features and building a robust Windows Mobile Skyfire, we also have development underway for a Symbian version of Skyfire. Stay tuned as we extend our beta to the Nokia N-series and E-series phones in the U.S. this summer. Beta 1 and 2 users who have signed up indicating that they have Nokia phones do not need to do anything. We’ll contact you as soon as it’s ready.

Skyfire Browser Beta Available Today

Skyfire, a very promising mobile browser fully supporting Flash and other multimedia in a full HTML experience is available for beta download today. I received an email alert from them 2 minutes ago. Please find the email communication below. I am going to test this baby out as soon as possible and report back.

Skyfire: Beta Download now available! Thanks for signing up for the Skyfire private beta. Today, you will receive an SMS message on the mobile phone number you gave us during the beta sign up. There will be a link in the SMS message to click. That verifies your registration and a follow up SMS provides the download to Skyfire. The download and installation is just a couple of clicks and a few minutes. During the installation, you’ll create a Skyfire account. Please use this account to access all of the support and help available on our website. If you don’t receive our SMS – don’t worry, you probably didn't enter a US mobile phone number during sign-up. We’ll be notified that you didn’t receive our SMS and we will follow up with you via email. In the email, we will ask you to update your mobile phone number so we can resend you the SMS. As a reminder, currently our private beta is running on Windows Mobile phones in the US. If you use a different phone, or live outside the U.S., we’ll keep you posted on our progress and let you know as soon as your phone is supported. We are very excited to give you this 0.5 beta release of Skyfire. We’re anxious to get your insights, so please give us lots of feedback. With your help, we’ll march to a stellar 1.0 product. Please don’t forget to tell your friends about Skyfire. To stay up to date about what’s happening here, you can read our blog. Thanks, The Skyfire Team www.skyfire.com

Update: This is for Windows Mobile 5 and 6 Only. Its by invitation in batches so if you missed the registration from a while ago, you can sign up today for the next wave of beta test. In the mean time, I need to find me a Windows Mobile phone.

2008 Mobile Experience Wishlist

I came up with a wishlist, it would be interesting to look back a year from now to see where we stand.

1. Google Talk Mobile (w/ full VOIP on iPhone, Symbian S60 3rd, WM5/6)
2. Skype Mobile (w/ full VOIP on iPhone, Symbian S60 3rd, WM5/6)
3. Skyfire Browser for all Mobile OS (in Beta currently)
4. Google Talk on OS X (w/ full VOIP stand alone or via iChat)
5. iPhone to support Flash (this one is hopeful!)
6. Picasa Mobile for all devices (WM6, Symbian S60 3rd Edition)
7. Real-Time Stock Ticker/App integrated with Brokerage Account (come on TDAmeritrade or Schwab…)
8. US Carriers to enable Video Conferencing using front/2nd camera (w/o extra cost in addition to data plan)
9. Unlimited Data Plan in the $5 - $10 Range for all carriers banking on the economies of scale
10. More ultraportable laptops(3-4lbs.) costing less than $1K

Skyfire Browser for Windows Mobile

Engadget reported this WM5/6 browser supports full on Flash and JAVA making it the best browser available for Windows Mobile (even better than iPhone's Safari?) see demo here.

Of course, this is available right after I decided to ditch my AT&T 8525 in favor of a better web browser. (... speechless ...)
Update: Just visited their site, apparently, Skyfire would work on Symbian handset too, we'll see.