Skyfire Beta
Skyfire is in OPEN BETA. This means you can register to Skyfire and immediately start using the Skyfire browser. There is no longer a need to use a Beta key to access and download Skyfire.
Woo! I finally got my Skyfire Beta key — its only taken 3 months to get but its finally here.. and boy was it worth the wait. Skyfire is hands-down my favorite (windows) mobile browser. Skyfire takes a desktop web browser and moves it onto a mobile device. It’s similar to the iPhone’s Safari browser which renders web pages true to form and lets you zoom in and out to view different sections of the web page. This is how Skyfire works except the controls are a little more cumbersome when running on a non-touch screen device.
The thing that really amazed me about Skyfire was its ability to keep web pages looking and working just like they do on a desktop web browser. You can play YouTube.com video within the browser, use web sites that rely heavily on AJAX (I can even check MyBlackjack2.com and TheSmartFONE.com’s web stats in Google Analytics in Skyfire – and that is a VERY complex AJAX’d web site.)
Remember that Skyfire is still in beta so the client still has some issues. Since posting they’ve resolved some major issues including connection dropping and allowing users to download files.
Even in beta Skyfire has replaced Opera Mobile as my favorite browser.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
i downloaded this last night and i love it. i can watch red tube anywhere now!!! thank you skyfire!
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I really wish i had a data plan….
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
does skyfire take as much battery power to use as internet explorer does?
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
bj22, good call – im not sure how comparable Skyfire and PocketIE’s battery utilization is, but I did notice the other day I had skyfire “running” in the background all day (8am – 5pm) and my battery life was noticably reduced … by 10pm my battery was out of juice and I had to recharge.. normally at 10pm ive got 1-2 bars of left. I may have been using the phone more than normal, but i hadnt noticed. I might try leaving it running again in a more controlled setting.
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I signed up and am on waiting list for beta 2. Cant wait!
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
i only took me 2 weeks till i got the download link nd its raw az hell! luv it. the only bad thing about it iz that i can’t download stuff, hope they gonna fix that soon. big up 4 redtube anywhere
August 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I signed up yesterday and got an instant email and text message,
then downloaded and installed the .cab file, all within 5 minutes.
Skyfire is awesome.
I simply used the following Beta Code in the sign-up process: Michael8
The sign-up info came from wmexperts.com. Link below.
http://www.myblackjack2.com/applications/web-browsers/skyfire-beta/
August 24th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Sorry, the correct link for the wmexperts.com sign-up info is below:
http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/free_skyfire_download_for_limi.html
August 24th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
i still like using Opera. mainly because i hate how much Skyfire zooms in. requires a lot more scrolling around a web page.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I downloaded Skyfire using the beta code provided by koubaro_dimitrios. Thanks koubaro_dimitrios. Had it downloaded and installed in less than 1 minute. It is so much nicer than pocketIE. Thanks for the info David and thanks again to koubaro_dimitrios for the beta code.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:54 am
I got the beta sms last week and havent been able to use this application PERIOD! Some web sites have stated T-Mobile users cannot use Skyfire because of the 8080 port or something of that nature. What could I possibly do to get this browser to work on my unlocked BJ II? It gives me UNABLE TO FIND INTERNET CONNECTION every time I open Skyfire, yet I’m using my phone to post this message right now…go figure. Can anyone help me out with this problem?
August 25th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Has anyone had a problem with their keyboard not working?
August 25th, 2008 at 8:56 am
xgabex,
If you use the 1 and 3 keys, it changes the size of the zoom window so you can fine tune it to whatever.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Dayum!!! only available in the U.S.!! Skyfire forgot about their Canadian Cousins… does anyone know if there is anyway to get around this? I’m dying to use this.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Hey I just used the beta code of Michael8 and got my link right after I clicked submit! It is way better than PocketIE!
August 25th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
cof999
i’ve tried doing the 1 and 3 and nothing happens. other than that i’ve experienced no problems.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Is the final version not suppose to have mulitple windows?
or can this beta do it and i cant figure it out?
August 25th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
First off…I love this forum/site!! Second, I love Skyfire!! Third, did you guys know that you can use Opera Mini 4.1 as the default browser? Not Opera Mobile, Opera Mini. Skyfire is better, but Opera Mini is almost as good and better than PIE!! I was using this before I got my hands on Skyfire.
Thought I should share the link with you all:
http://www.modaco.com/content/samsung-i617-i617-modaco-com/267328/opera-mini-4-1-as-system-browser/#
Oh yeah, through this link I found out another great tool that Blackjack II users should have called JZ SmartMort. You can map the MediaNet and CV buttons with it almost effortlessly.
You can find it here:
http://www.modaco.com/index.php?act=findpost&pid=886438
August 25th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
JZ SmartMort’s official page is here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/jzsmartmort
August 26th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
The 3 things I dislike is the individual page loading takes long, rendering takes sometime as well, and my battery gets hot as hell depending on how long I browse. Hopefully, that gets resolved.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
An update… I am from Toronto, Canada and I figured I’d take the chance and try to get in on this. I entered the code of Michael8 and within 3 minutes I received my text link and I was on my way!!! I guess it ISN’T limited to the U.S.
The Browser is amazing! Very smooth and runs pages like a PC.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I now have a few issues after my original it’s “awesome” comment.
1. My BJ2 battery life is awesome except when using skyfire.
It kills my battery fast and this is unacceptable for my usage patterns.
2. The panning and zooming is becoming annoying. For touchscreen it would would
be easy and quick to browse but no so much for non-touch screen BJ2.
3. Most web pages I browse now have a mobile version of the web site which is more than
adequate (espn.com, cnn, drudgereport, engadgetmobile, nytimes, marketwatch, weather, and more).
4. I actually am using RSS feeds often now via viigo RSS reader.
August 27th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I absolutely love skyfire. I got my copy a few days before I saw it on this site and have to say this is way better than pocket IE.
Now I do have an important question that I think everyone will be interested in:
When following a link, say from Outlook, it defaults to Pocket IE, so Skyfire in not set as my default browser. How do you change your default browser?
August 28th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
My keyboard will not work after I downloaded skyfire? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tammie
August 30th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Tammie I had the same problem. What I did was actually did I hard reseted my device, then installed it. Make sure you select non-touchscreen version as well
August 30th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
another beta code: phelps8
September 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Just wanted to let you guys know that I downloaded Skyfire with the code provided by Germ. I just filled in the information and put in the code and bang! Received a text message the second later with a download link.
Thanks Germ and David!
September 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Yup was just about to say that the beta code “phelps8″ still works I JUST used it not more than 2 mins ago! Have fun with youporn =)
September 4th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
My keyboard works fine. try to uninstall skyfire and install it again or try to close all Tasks by pressing Home button.
I`am from Puerto Rico and I recieve my text link within 2 week from sign up.
Skyfire AWESOME
September 14th, 2008 at 12:37 am
As anyone used the above beta keys and recieved skyfire recently? All I get is an email message that I am regestered. Also this might sound stupid but how does how to send a sms message without knowing the carrier? I putt the number in but I thought sms messages required a .txt adress after the number?
September 14th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Bullpup,
People have used them within the past week or two. Did you enter one during registration? If skype has your phone number they can SMS you, they dont need to know your carrier. No idea what youre mean when you say a “.txt” address… Just like you dont need to know your friend’s carrier to text him.
I think youre thinking about sending a text via email – which usually in the format phone_number@some.carrier.specific.domain
September 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Thanks a lot David. I did use theMichael8 code back in August but never did recieve the link to download the program. I have been using opera mini and it works better then the original IE that is in Windows. I was able to upgrade to windows 6.1 using the instructions in this forum and it works great.
Thanks for letting me kow you can send messages without using the .txt adress to other people’s phone. Now I can start sending text to people’s cells. Thank you.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
can some one help me i have a few questions?
while ur using skyfire does it charge everytime you use it like on the default web browser ?
And for the gps hack i was able to unlock mobiTv and telenav do those charge as well?
September 17th, 2008 at 7:09 am
neek, skyfire uses your data connection just like Pocket IE (The default web browser) so depending on if you have unlimited data you should use it accordingly.
Im not sure that the GPS hack will let you use mobiTV and teleNav, but both of those applications also use your data connection (and ALOT of data at that) so make sure you have an unlimited data plan before using them.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I can not get an access key. Can someone please send me one. I am using opera mini and would like to learn one broswer only with this phone. Thank you. My email is pigments@gmail.com
September 18th, 2008 at 1:42 am
alright thanks for the info appreciate it .
September 27th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I really prefer this browser to IE, but after using it for a few weeks, there are some things that could be tweaked. Like mentioned before, there mobile versions of sites that I wish were recognized by Skyfire as such. It’ll treat it like any other site and to zoom and pan on a mobile site is a real pain. The other big one is when, and not that it happens all that often, but when Skyfire loses connection, it gives you a message, then shuts down. It doesn’t try and reconnect, or save the data you where just looking at. All in all a good browser though, and it is still beta.
September 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I’ve been using Skyfire for a few days, I signed up for the beta when I saw the post on the site and got it a few days ago, running great, I’m glad it plays myspace music and youtube, etc. Just like a computer would.
Now I just need a good ssh client….
October 1st, 2008 at 11:48 am
I must say Im very Impressed by this browser
October 6th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I don’t know if anyone here realized but Skyfire recently released an update. Go and grab it from the homepage!
http://www.skyfire.com
October 7th, 2008 at 10:37 am
There has been some logging in issues since the new version was released.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:38 am
You can now set Skyfire as default browser.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:00 am
the mozilla foundation is working on FENNEC – a mobile firefox. right now it’s in alpha state but it’s progressing quickly. check it out here http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081020-hands-on-fennec-alpha-1-puts-firefox-on-your-handheld.html – downloadable here ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mobile/
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Well, I got it and it works just fine. Installed easily with no hiccups. I had to do a restart once or twice when I first started using it, now it is just fine. Starts right up, works smooth. Problem is…everytime I grab my son’s iPhone, it makes me cry to have to go back to my bitty little screen. As much as I love my BJ2, and as much as I despise Apple, looks like I’m gonna take the BJ2 back ( I gots 3 weeks left to decide) and get the iPhone too. I would rather have the Instinct, but gotta stick with ATT around here. N E Way, the Skyfire is a great deal better than IE…imo. Good luck with it and thanks for the point in the right direction.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:18 am
the mozilla foundation is working on FENNEC – a mobile firefox. right now it’s in alpha state but it’s progressing quickly. check it out here http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081020-hands-on-fennec-alpha-1-puts-firefox-on-your-handheld.html – downloadable here ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mobile
i was able to download and run fennec on my vista computer from that link… but when i try to open it on my bj2 it says its not a valid windows CE program. any idea there?
November 25th, 2008 at 1:29 am
i know this might sound stupid, but if i have the data plan for unlimited internet is this still free? and this is the best mobile browser hands down
November 26th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
yep, its still using your same connection, just via a different app.
so far im iffy about it. clicking on links doesnt work half the time.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Well, after using this for some time, I think I know how it works so well.
As far as I can tell, it ISN’T actually a web browser. It is closer to a VNC or Remote Desktop program.
I have bad reception where I live (which often nullifies my unlimited data plan), and I have found that even when the pages don’t get to me, they are still loading… Basically, I can be viewing a youtube video, and the buffer is only a little into the video and I lose signal. I wait until I have signal again, skyfire reconnects, and now the youtube video is 100% loaded? How can this happen if I had no signal? So I tested, I would load a youtube page, and before the page had even displayed I would disable my radio. Wait a few minutes, turn it on, and again 100% downloaded.
Skyfire connects to their servers, and THEIR servers load the webpage, and basically send a video of the browsing experience to your phone, with overlays for when you select buttons and whatnot. This explains why it supports flash 9.. which in no form works on ANY phone, and also why many pages seem to look like a compressed video… though many of them look quite clear. Try my experiment out yourself. You can sometimes even close the browser (via taskmanager) and reload it and it will still be on the page you last viewed, now fully loaded. Likely becuase the kill signal never got to the skyfire servers to tell their computers to close the remote browser. If you close it via skyfire’s exit option this doesn’t happen.
I went to a site that shows you what browser you are using, and it seems to think I am using mozilla/netscape when I browse in skyfire. so the skyfire servers are simply browsing with a PC version of mozilla (though probably heavily modified).
This didn’t bother me much, I mean heck, it’s still the full web experience on your phone. But then I wondered about the security issues. Cookies? Web History? Or heck someone could even just flat out be watching the skyfire server’s screen or something and see everything you do? I mean who knows what happens on their servers.
anyways, just something to think about…
Still the best program on my blackjack II, and I still use it completely. I’m just wary.
December 17th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
what is this beta code sign in: michael8?
December 17th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
big_L, ignore the beat codes, you dont need them anymore.
SkyFire used to be a private beta which required a beta code to join the beta. Now that SkyFire is in open beta you don’t need codes anymore – just goto the Skyfire site and register.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
i cant get any sound to play when im watching a video, can anyone help me?
December 30th, 2008 at 11:24 am
jmc757, press your Volume rocker up a couple times and see if it helps – most likely your phone volume is turned all the way down.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Skyfire is s l o w in my area. Nearly unusable.
Opera Mini is much faster, no audiovisual though.
I still use Opera Mobile the most, I have to have text editing!
Also tried Iris Browser from Torch Mobile, ibisDX, & jB5.
January 8th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
ok so i installed skyfire and it works great. but it is very sensitive as as soon as I scroll my wheel it goes to another page. Is there anyway to control the sensitivity? thanks in advance.
January 9th, 2009 at 8:57 am
A-rod3, i don’t know of a way to decrease the scroll wheel sensitivity only for Skyfire
.. You could try posting in the forums under “how-to” or “troubleshooting” if you don’t get an answer here (I think the forums are viewed alot more than the comments on the posts)
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
^ david thanks well sorry for the REALLY long response but i realised that when the display light turned off the phone would be sensitive. so al long as you keep it from dimming it works perfectly. thanks for your help.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:32 am
i dont like skyfire that much it takes too much time to navigate webpages. Last time i downloaded opera mobile it was a only a 30 day trial does anyone have any links where opera is permanent
May 29th, 2009 at 12:18 am
skyfire is now out of beta and is in 1.0 release. I downloaded it a couple of days ago and a lot of annoyances have been resolved. Zooming is much more intuitive on non touchscreen devices and the app just works better all around. Links are no longer sketchy. It does seem to take just a bit longer to load pages. Still the best app for windows based devices out there.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Opera 10 just released and I like it better than SkyFire. I keep losing connection with SkyFire on AT&T. I think they are trying to block their servers.
November 25th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
amigitos … creo que la conexion con skyfire ya ha sido bloqueada, bueno al menos en mexico ya no tenemos acceso.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I don’t like the fact, that you have to have a data plan, couldn’t they make this work on wifi or something.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
To properly play lossless Blu-ray contents back will require a high horsepower computer or powerful HD media player to support the data rate involved in MKV container.