Skyfire update to 0.8

[greymatter]

For those of you fortunate enough to be beta testing Skyfire, I just found out that they released an updated beta. It is a lot quicker, gives you an option to make Skyfire your default browser, and has an option to install a start screen search box.

The new version also adds Flash to Windows Mobile. Haven't played around a lot with it yet, but looks promising. Looks like they are listening to everybody's comments/complaints.

[mrkawphy]

Downloading it as we speak, I'll let you all know as soon as I run it through afew tests. Lord knows it needs a speed increase. the load times were silly.

Edit: Hmmm, seems my download link + sms link I got are still to the Skyfire_6843_PPC50.CAB link. Do not see or have access to the 0.8 beta.

EDIT EDIT: Wow I am stupid. That is the 0.8 beta. Running it now. lol i'll give feedback shortly.

[Rafy_0003]

WooHoo thanx for the info!

[goalkeepr]

Awesome, thanks for the heads-up!

[skanndelus]

thx... installed it :D

[mrkawphy]

Well after 8 hours and they finally fixed the authentication server error I have been able to use it. For those curious 0.8 does have a vast improvement in the speed and usage factor for the browser. I do like the way it runs however I have to admit that the scrolling and zooming feels clunky and just not very fluid. However this opinion is based off of using Opera 9.5 beta and it's functionality.

It has greatly improved in the browsing used with it and having flash working now is a very nice addition. But I still prefer Opera based despite the annoying out of memory error that pops up occasionally mainly due to the appearance and fluid browsing capability.

I do however look forward to a finished product as I am more then sure these issues will be addressed. Good chance they'll get my money for a purchase

[1999TL]

scrolling still needs work. I get the checkers at the bottom. also, I notice a huge memory leak when using it. I Need to soft reset.

[ebb]

Improved interface but still VERY slow. IMO, not worth it until they deal with the speed issue, which has been there from the start.

[NemesisXV6800]

I'm not sure what exactly happened today, but I uninstalled 0.6, installed Skyfire 0.8 this morning and put the phone in my pocket. About 2.5 hrs later I noticed that my pocket was a little warm. I pulled out my phone, noticed that my data connection was active and my nearly full battery had about 15% remaining life! I did a soft reset and the phone cooled down to normal again. Anyone else have this happen? I don't want to use Skyfire if it is causing my connection to stay on and my battery to die.

[christak]

I'm amazed that you got 2.5 hours -- I was down to 50% in about 40 minutes of moderate use -- this app currently still eats battery... My biggest gripe followed by the delays/unreliable bookmarking in the app... The bookmarks ultimately work, but it may be the next day before they show up again after being "gone"...

[jph8tr]

It has new features and is better looking but ultimately it is unusable. The previous version was stable, this thing just lags, hangs and won't quit. I find myself having to terminate its process and/or soft boot or it will run in the background and obliterate battery life. At least for the Mogul, this update has been a big step backward. Maybe more RAM would help things?. I wish Opera would get a decent hardware keyboard capable non diamond v9 product out. Opera mini has a good feel, but is the worst of the bunch with memory usage (at least until Skyfire .08) and no downloads, Opera 8.65 feels ancient and ie is a very sad joke of a browser. Right now, I have 4 browsers on my phone and none are even close to being acceptable as my main browser, not to mention light years from Safari on the iPhone.

[bridic]

can't wait for VGA version.

[TheMostToys]

First of all, Skyfire is a great product with real potential to be the hands down best mobile browser.

Some observations on 0.8:
I like the fact that text entry is now done in the input field (saves the step of pressing "ok".
Video playback has been improved.
FILE DOWNLOADS work!! :-) One less reason to swap back and forth to IE.
The main thing I do not like is the zoom "improvement". It's cool that it tries to decide for me what to zoom into, but I miss being able to size the zoom box to exactly what I want.

Thank you and keep up the great work.