Mobility Digest » Mobile Browsers

Dolphin Browser comes to iOS

Doug Smith — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:31:35 +0000

Very popular browser by the name of Dolphin Browser which has been downloaded 9 million times from the Android Marketplace is now available on all iOS devices. I have used Dolphin on my Android device and got to say it is quite nice. With it’s Gestures, the ability gesture, or swipe one finger to navigate throw web content makes it much nicer than clicking small buttons. Also there are signs you can draw like a “v” that will take you to the bottom of the screen. Of course you can switch between mobile view and desktop mode should the fancy take you.

The Dolphin Browser is free and worth a look. You can grab it now over at the App Store now.

[via 9to5mac]

Office365 Launches & Mobile Productivity Increases

Murani Lewis — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:26:51 +0000

Office365 is bringing hosted versions of Exchange Server, SharePoint, Lync, and the Office Web Apps to businesses of all sizes as well as educational institutions and even individuals. Of course their main competitor is Google Apps who offer their competing product for as low as free. Office365 subscriptions can be had for as low as $6 per month. I am signing up today and look forward to the productivity this will bring me and my business partners. If you are own an iPad and want to get in on the action don’t hesitate. This will be the closest thing you get to turning the iPad into a mobile workstation. In fact, this goes a long way into shaving the supposed advantage Windows 8 based tablets will have over the iPad when they are released in 2012.

There is a reason why Microsoft is the standard in productivity and its not close.

Check the video below to see a demonstration on the power and productivity that Office365 provides. Keep in mind that Windows Phone 7.5 released this fall allows for quick search of exchange and sharepoint servers for email purposes.

Screenshots of different scenarios below:

Twitter rolling out a new mobile web app version

Doug Smith — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:55:33 +0000

If you are not a huge fan of apps, or you are using another device that does not have a Twitter app on it, then you will be happy to know that Twitter is rolling out a new web based browser app that has a slick new user interface.

The app is fast – you can quickly scroll through your timeline, move between tabs and compose Tweets. It’s rich – it takes advantage of capabilities that high-end device browsers offer, such as touch gestures and a large screen. And it’s simple – it’s easy-to-use and has the features you’d expect from a Twitter application, including your timeline, @mentions, messages that you can read in conversation view, search, trending topics, lists, and more.

Twitter is rolling this out slowly to iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android smartphones and everyone should see the new UI in a few weeks. I check from my iPhone and I did not get the update yet. Even though I have the app on all my devices, the web based app is definetly pretty slick!

Make sure you hit up our Mobility Digest Twitter feed: CLICK HERE

[read] [via]

Skyfire Version 4 available for Android with 8 new features

Doug Smith — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:42:22 +0000

I have been a huge fan of Skyfire since the Windows Mobile days and having the ability to watch Hulu with it. Now, Skyfire is a dirty word among WinMo users but lives the High Life with iPhone owners because of the cool server side rendering of Flash Video to HTML5. But Skyfire has also been very innovative with their UI and have a lot of cool new features for Android users, as a matter of fact, there are 8 of them!

Skyfire for Android also adds a scrollable and customizable toolbar, more social media icons, and integration. This is one of my favorite apps and if you were an early user of Skyfire these new features will be upgraded free. New Android users will have to pay $2.99 for the app but I can assure you that it is worth it.

Here is more:

Skyfire Launches 4.0 Version of its Popular Android Mobile Browser with Eight New Killer Features

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (April 21st, 2011) – Today Skyfire, maker of the award-winning and popular mobile browser, announces the release of Skyfire 4.0 for Android — its highly anticipated next-generation Android browser. Skyfire 4.0 for Android allows users to personalize their SkyBarTM toolbar, while adding eight new SkyBar features. While the basic browser and toolbar will remain free to Android users, Skyfire is also introducing a premium in-app purchase to enable its Video feature, which draws on Skyfire’s cloud-based servers to optimize videos from across the web. As a thank you to over 3 million early beta users of the app, all existing users will be “grandfathered” in for free access for the lifetime of their device.

Skyfire’s SkyBar toolbar is now scrollable and customizable, allowing for a larger and more personalized number of features to be positioned on the toolbar. Beyond the ‘Video’, ‘Facebook’, ‘Fireplace’, ‘Popular’, ‘Ideas’ & ‘Like’ buttons, Skyfire has added full Twitter, Groupon and Google Reader integration, a ‘Share’ button, Sports, News and Finance feeds, and a ‘Settings’ button.

Skyfire for Android is one of the most popular applications in the Android Market and has seen over 3 million downloads since launching in April 2010. The mobile browser was upgraded to critical acclaim in November 2010 with integrated social media and Facebook capabilities, and the app currently has a user rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible five stars, based on tens of thousands of reviews in the Android Market. This latest update will continue to build on Skyfire’s strong track record of innovation.

With v4.0, Skyfire for Android will begin offering its video optimization as an optional $2.99 premium feature, unlocked via an in-app purchase after a three day free trial. The feature pays for itself for most users around the world by allowing users to watch more video with less data usage (where users have capped or metered data plans), as well as increasing battery life.

As part of a special, limited time offer, Skyfire is offering the video optimization feature free to all Verizon customers downloading Skyfire 4.0 for Android. Skyfire will be available in the VCastTM Apps section of the Android Market for Verizon users during this promotion.

Skyfire 4.0 for Android, including the video optimization feature, will remain free for all of the over 3 million beta testers around the globe who have used the app to date, in gratitude for their support in helping Skyfire grow and improve.

“With Skyfire 4.0 for Android, we’re enabling users to customize their browser toolbar to fit their interests, from sports, to social networks, to finance, news, and local deals,” said Jeff Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “While the basic browser will remain free, with the launch of Google’s Android In-App purchase platform, the time has come to make our video cloud acceleration service a premium feature that reflects the investment we make to support each user in our cloud. We deliver state-of-the art web video tuned to your current mobile connection bandwidth, saving 75% on average data loads. For users who enjoy web video, or who are on metered data, the service can pay for itself in the first month of use.”

New Features in Skyfire 4.0 for Android include:

· Customizable SkyBar – Skyfire’s toolbar is now configurable and expandable, enabling users to create their own flavor of Skyfire experience. With the new scrollable SkyBar, users now have access to fourteen Skyfire features and have the ability to enable, disable and position each button as they see fit.

· New SkyBar Features –Skyfire has added eight new features:

o   Twitter – Login to the ‘Twitter’ Button to have one-touch access to Twitter streams. Tweet, search, and check in with the Twittersphere without leaving the Skyfire browser. (And yes, watch videos shared on Twitter with just one click.)
o   Groupon – With the ‘Groupon’ Button, the SkyBar is now delivering nearby deals so you can do a quick check on the deal of the day at all times.
o   Share – Easily share websites, articles, pictures & videos with the touch of the ‘Share’ button, a feature previously accessible through the Skyfire menu.
o   Google Reader – Use the ‘Google Reader’ Button to keep up with feeds from your favorite sites. Google Reader keeps you in the know by constantly checking your favorite news sites and blogs for new content.
o   Sports, News & Finance – Three new buttons, ‘Sports’, ‘News’ & ‘Finance’, have been added to the SkyBar to bring one-touch access to the latest events.
o   Settings – The ‘Settings’ button could easily be labeled the ‘Customize’ button. Use this to enable, disable or position SkyBar features to your personal preferences.

· General Tips – We’ve added a host of new in-browser tips, tricks & tutorials to help users get them most out of browsing with Skyfire.

Download Skyfire 4.0 for Android today here: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.skyfire.browser

Skyfire major update for Android coming with Version 4.0

Doug Smith — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:39:43 +0000

Skyfire, the mobile browser folks have just tweeted that they are planning on a major release of their Android browser that will wear version 4.0. It’s not really stated what the new features are but if it is anything like the iOS version, Android owners will be pretty happy. One thing was mentioned in their press release, Skyfire is not going to be free any longer for Android. The Beta users that are enjoying the new features will get to keep their copy, but everyone else going through the Android Marketplace will be paying. No word on how much, but anything more than free is something.

Skyfire focused on bringing greater personalization and customization to the Android browsing experience.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (March 11th, 2011) – Skyfire, the company that brought you the most innovative smartphone application of 2010, is at it again in 2011. The red-hot Skyfire mobile browser on Android is about to get a whole new look, pricing model and killer features.

Skyfire for Android is one of the most popular applications in the Android Marketplace and has seen over 2.5 million downloads since launching in April 2010. The mobile browser was upgraded to critical acclaim in November 2010 with integrated social media and Facebook capabilities. This latest update will continue to build on Skyfire’s strong track record of innovation.

The company is expecting to announce Skyfire for Android version 4.0 in the coming weeks. All existing features will remain free to the 2.5 million beta testers across the globe and these users will continue to receive Skyfire’s innovative updates moving forward in gratitude for their help and support in the launch of the product.

Download Skyfire 3.0 for Android today: Here

Skyfire Browser gets update for iOS

Doug Smith — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:51:19 +0000

So I decided to try again to use the iPhone WordPress app and write about Skyfire, the flash capable mobile browser for the iPhone that has just been updated. There are a bunch of fixes included in this update that you can check out in the screen shot below. So head on over the the app store and download the update.

Cabela’s going hunting for mobile sales

Doug Smith — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:57:53 +0000

I know, terrible play on words. But I was reading through some press releases today and it is amazing the growth in the Mobility Market for ecommerce and how companies not generally recognized for technology are utilizing it to gain an edge and grow their sales. I am a pretty avid fisherman and hunter in whatever spare time I get. So I make it a point to visit a Cabela’s or Bass Pro no matter what city I am going through either business (shhh don’t tell anyone) or vacation with the family. So naturally I have a personal connection with this press release. So where would you use a mobile optimized website from the World’s Foremost Outfitter Cabela’s? In a deer stand naturally. This aren’t always that exciting on the hunt and I have found coverage (even for AT&T) has gotten a lot better over the years and signal readily available. So I find myself surfing the internet, texting my other hunting buddies, and playing games. I have sent countless pictures of wildlife to my family. So yes, I think it is a great idea for a mobile optimized Cabela’s!

Cabela’s mobile page was optimized “through Digby’s Mobile Commerce Software Platform” So not only is browsing through the Cabela’s mobile website possible but so is purchasing the things that you really….(cough) need. So head on over to www.Cabela’s.com on your mobile device, those being the iPhone/iPod Touch, BlackBerry and Android and check it out.

IDNEY, Neb. & AUSTIN, Texas — Cabela’s^® (NYSE: CAB), the World’s Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, announced today the launch of an optimized mobile website through mobile commerce leader Digby. Cabela’s offers quality outdoor gear and clothing at competitive prices and is a leading source for outdoor information. Now, their customers can enjoy the same easy, quick shopping experience from the convenience of their mobile device—anytime, anywhere. Through Digby’s Mobile Commerce Software Platform, Cabela’s is enabling mobile as a strategic channel that complements their e-Commerce website, catalogs and products sold in more than 30 stores in the United States and Canada.

“We have a long history of providing our customers with great gear through our catalogs, retail stores and, since 1998, an industry leading e-Commerce site”

Cabela’s unique and optimized mobile experience will allow customers to easily search and purchase items when they visit www.cabelas.com on popular mobile devices including the iPhone/iPod Touch, BlackBerry and Android. Key features of the new mobile website include: rich product photographs, complete product descriptions, customer-submitted product reviews, shop by category, shop by brand, store locator, e-mail and a complete site search.

“We have a long history of providing our customers with great gear through our catalogs, retail stores and, since 1998, an industry leading e-Commerce site,” said Derek Fortna, Internet Marketing Manager for Cabela’s, which will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2011. “We are very excited to expand into mobile so our loyal customers can now access our great products, services and information anytime, anywhere from the palm of their hands.”

Cabela’s decision to enable mobile through Digby’s Mobile Commerce Software Platform comes at a very strategic, opportune time. According to IDC¹, the smartphone market is expected to grow 55 percent this year alone—a greater increase than previously predicted.

“With more than 50 percent of Americans expected to own a smartphone by the end of 2011 (source Asymco²), Cabela’s is taking the initiative to build a more personal mobile relationship with their most loyal customers by providing them with the ease and convenience of being able to buy leading outdoor equipment and gear anywhere at anytime,” said Dave Sikora, President and CEO of Digby. “We are excited about this partnership and will continue to work closely with them, sharing business intelligence and purchase trends to ensure their expansion into mobile is an ongoing success.”

¹ – Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker

Very brief video on Opera for Tablets

Doug Smith — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 07:10:43 +0000

Looks like a lot of Mobile Companies are jumping the gun ahead of CES and Opera can be counted as one of them as they have just released a short little teaser video on their Android Tablet App.

“At the annual upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas we will unveil the first public preview of Opera for tablets. DotEd, Community Manager for Opera will be at the tradeshow to make sure you get all the news about the latest technology from Opera and the tech industry.

Stay tuned for a lot of updates from CES, which starts January 6, right here on My Opera. In the meantime, enjoy this first preview of Opera for tablets.”

Enjoy the video and look for more information and features on Opera’s new Android Tablet App during CES.

Check out more on Opera’s website: http://my.opera.com/chooseopera/blog/2011/01/03/opera-for-tablets-preview

[via engadget]

How much data do you use?

Doug Smith — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:43:04 +0000

It’s Sunday before a busy CES Show week so I thought I would share a little more of what Mobility Digest is talking about behind the scenes. One of the topics was how much data do you use. One of our Team Members had a staggering 16gb of data used with several days left in the billing cycle. This is not over WiFi either. Even though the image has his AT&T 3G Microcell and WiFi symbols turned on, he has confirmed that the majority of this data is being streamed from Hulu, Netflix, Rhapsody, and iTunes podcasts. For me it varies based on my travel schedule for work. This month was pretty low with the Holidays and how busy I was. I only streamed 750mb of data. My normal averages between 3-5gb.

So we have had some interesting discussion on this, so let’s throw this out to our readers and see what you use?

Leave a comment with how much data you use and how you use it.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Doug Smith

Skyfire released for the iPad

Doug Smith — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:10:59 +0000

The wait is over for iPad owners who want to view Flash Embedded Video. Skyfire has now hit iTunes and is ready for download. A few days ago we learned that Skyfire had completed their Mobile Browser App that allows Apple Device owners to view Flash Embedded Video by converting it on their server to HTML5 and then using Safari to display the newly converted Apple approved video format. Skyfire was only waiting on Apple to approve the app which has some cool new improvements over the already approved iPhone version that made a huge hit when it launched. Features include:

Server side Flash conversion to HTML5
Quickview browser buttons at the bottom for Twitter, Facebook, and Google Reader
Fireplace which is a share function for links by your friends.
Universal Like button to share your content with your friends.

Skyfire is now official and ready for download after you drop a higher price than the iPhone app of $4.99.

If you want to see what all you get for your 5 bucks, Skyfire created this video pre-release to wet our appetites.

[via iPhoneFreak]