Database Info

Internet Browser

Hi,
i just would like to know, what are the big differences between the web browsers (Opera, Opera Mini, Skyfire) ?
I am trying to find the browser that is most suited for my needs. I bet there's a lot of people who are wondering the same. So please, come someone enlighten us (me).

just a general note. you should try all browsers and then see as browser comfort is usually individual.
as of today i'd choose either the latest edition of Opera 9.5 or Skyfire... but for the sake of comparison.
Opera Mini is very fast and stable and is java based.. but doesn't have all the features the new browsers such as Opera 9.5 and Skyfire have.
Opera 9.5 is greatlooking and supports direct flash and has a fine comfortable interface.
Skyfire has a few options for browsing.. such as using a Mouse pointer to move across the page or sweep your finger to move the page. also it has a very comfortable home page which i use constantly with weather reports and google search. it also has a very fast loading time.
one major difference between opera and skyfire is the fact that skyfire supports most languages without having to use special language packs.
Internet Explorer sucks ass.
Netfront is great.. not as fast as the others but is very multilingual and has some new options.. you should look it up in google to see what it offers.

nir36 said:
just a general note. you should try all browsers and then see as browser comfort is usually individual.
as of today i'd choose either the latest edition of Opera 9.5 or Skyfire... but for the sake of comparison.
Opera Mini is very fast and stable and is java based.. but doesn't have all the features the new browsers such as Opera 9.5 and Skyfire have.
Opera 9.5 is greatlooking and supports direct flash and has a fine comfortable interface.
Skyfire has a few options for browsing.. such as using a Mouse pointer to move across the page or sweep your finger to move the page. also it has a very comfortable home page which i use constantly with weather reports and google search. it also has a very fast loading time.
one major difference between opera and skyfire is the fact that skyfire supports most languages without having to use special language packs.
Internet Explorer sucks ass.
Netfront is great.. not as fast as the others but is very multilingual and has some new options.. you should look it up in google to see what it offers.
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wow, great..thnx for the info
but i got difficulty to download skyfire. it doesnt support for my country phone number

I knew i wasnt the only one that would be helped ! =)
Thanks a lot!
I will try Skyfire, and if i'm not satisfied, i will go for Opera (but i wonder if Opera Mini could be fine).

You also forgot about one VERY important thing - both Opera Mini and Skyfire use server-side processing: the phone sends all information to opera's or skyfire's server, the server downloads the page as a normal browser would, then strips it of unnecessary data, resizes pictures, compresses the page and then sends it to your device.
So everything you browse, and all the data you send, including passwords is not exchanged directly with the target website, but instead goes trough a third party server. Of course all server-device communications are encrypted, but still i don't encourage using these browsers for sensitive data like banking or shopping using your credit card information. This might be a bit paranoid, but considering how internet looks like today, paranoia is a rather healthy thing
Besides, there were already cases where browser used incorrectly made all the encryption useless: when opera (and probably skyfire too) is started for the first time, it generates a random key to encrypt data and identify your device. But when opera is cooked into ROM or made into CAB installer after this key has been generated, the server recognizes every device using this version as the same one. So if person A logs into a email account and then person B (using the same broken opera install with the same key) goes to this email website - he'll see he's already logged in as person A and can see all of his/her e-mails.
Of course this doesn't happen often (actually i know of only one such accident and the faulty opera was quickly removed from ROM) but still - better safe than sorry.
However, the advantage of these browsers is that they're really fast - all the hard work is done on the server so our devices don't need to do any html/css/javascript/etc interpreting and only have to draw the simplified version of website (opera mini) or something like a screenshot of the website (skyfire) sent by the server. And since the data sent to the device is compressed, they both use much less bandwidth than conventional browsers which is important on cellular connections where you usually pay for transmitted data quantity.
On the other hand, Opera Mobile (all versions), NetFront, Pocket Internet Explorer (which really sucks) are _real_ browsers, like the one on your PC - they communicate with websites directly. But they also have to do all the processing and interpreting, not only drawing so they're noticeably slower than Opera Mini and Skyfire. Also, they usually download all website content and transferred data is uncompressed so they use up much more bandwidth.
Generally, i prefer to use Opera Mini for general web browsing, forums, etc. But for sensitive data (shopping, banking, e-mail), or when bandwidth is not a concern (on a wifi connection) i tend to stick with Opera Mobile or NetFront.
Of these two browsers, Opera 9.5 gives a bit nicer and more finger-friendly user interface. But this requires quite a lot of memory and processing power to work smoothly, so it's almost unusable on low memory devices like Wizard.
NetFront has much simpler UI, closer to one seen in pocketIE and while it doesn't look as impressive an Opera's, it works much better on slower and low memory phones. Since they're both in open beta testing stage, it's best to download and try both to see which one you like more.

mr_deimos said:
You also forgot about one VERY important thing - both Opera Mini and Skyfire use server-side processing: the phone sends all information to opera's or skyfire's server, the server downloads the page as a normal browser would, then strips it of unnecessary data, resizes pictures, compresses the page and then sends it to your device.
So everything you browse, and all the data you send, including passwords is not exchanged directly with the target website, but instead goes trough a third party server. Of course all server-device communications are encrypted, but still i don't encourage using these browsers for sensitive data like banking or shopping using your credit card information. This might be a bit paranoid, but considering how internet looks like today, paranoia is a rather healthy thing
Besides, there were already cases where browser used incorrectly made all the encryption useless: when opera (and probably skyfire too) is started for the first time, it generates a random key to encrypt data and identify your device. But when opera is cooked into ROM or made into CAB installer after this key has been generated, the server recognizes every device using this version as the same one. So if person A logs into a email account and then person B (using the same broken opera install with the same key) goes to this email website - he'll see he's already logged in as person A and can see all of his/her e-mails.
Of course this doesn't happen often (actually i know of only one such accident and the faulty opera was quickly removed from ROM) but still - better safe than sorry.
However, the advantage of these browsers is that they're really fast - all the hard work is done on the server so our devices don't need to do any html/css/javascript/etc interpreting and only have to draw the simplified version of website (opera mini) or something like a screenshot of the website (skyfire) sent by the server. And since the data sent to the device is compressed, they both use much less bandwidth than conventional browsers which is important on cellular connections where you usually pay for transmitted data quantity.
On the other hand, Opera Mobile (all versions), NetFront, Pocket Internet Explorer (which really sucks) are _real_ browsers, like the one on your PC - they communicate with websites directly. But they also have to do all the processing and interpreting, not only drawing so they're noticeably slower than Opera Mini and Skyfire. Also, they usually download all website content and transferred data is uncompressed so they use up much more bandwidth.
Generally, i prefer to use Opera Mini for general web browsing, forums, etc. But for sensitive data (shopping, banking, e-mail), or when bandwidth is not a concern (on a wifi connection) i tend to stick with Opera Mobile or NetFront.
Of these two browsers, Opera 9.5 gives a bit nicer and more finger-friendly user interface. But this requires quite a lot of memory and processing power to work smoothly, so it's almost unusable on low memory devices like Wizard.
NetFront has much simpler UI, closer to one seen in pocketIE and while it doesn't look as impressive an Opera's, it works much better on slower and low memory phones. Since they're both in open beta testing stage, it's best to download and try both to see which one you like more.
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you're right. my bad.

Incredible. Thanks for the update.
You guys @ XDA need a real THUMBS UP. Thanks for the fast answers, i hope that this will help a couple of users who we're wondering the same thing as I.
=)
That settles it. I'll try Skyfire & Opera Mini and find out wich one i like the most (since i don't use my cell phone for private use (banking & shopping) but more for browsing (forums & other).
YOU GUYS ROCKS!

FINAL STRAW with WM - why do we not have this app?

Im sick of the most useful apps being developed for the iPhone only.
Take this app for example
http://www.mobiletechaddicts.com/2008/11/16/tv-plus-sky-remote-for-iphone-updated/
This app would be SO useful to UK WM users. The ability to remote record programs on your Sky+ or Sky+HD box would be extremely useful, yet we are being left out in the cold yet again.
This is seriously the last straw, im almost ready to jump ship next gen of phones.
Does anyone know of a WM equivilant?

darthbane2k said:
Im sick of the most useful apps being developed for the iPhone only.
Take this app for example
http://www.mobiletechaddicts.com/2008/11/16/tv-plus-sky-remote-for-iphone-updated/
This app would be SO useful to UK WM users. The ability to remote record programs on your Sky+ or Sky+HD box would be extremely useful, yet we are being left out in the cold yet again.
This is seriously the last straw, im almost ready to jump ship next gen of phones.
Does anyone know of a WM equivilant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you might have seen on the "application" you linked in your post: it is again not a real application but a web service packed in an executable file for iPhones - something the world really does not need since service providers such as TiVo are launching their own stuff:
http://news.ebrandz.com/miscellaneo...e-for-programming-remotely-for-tv-freaks.html

omg
you want you diamond to be a your sky remote???
ill sell you a sky remote for £10.....better than £400...the cost of a diamond

Junner2003 said:
As you might have seen on the "application" you linked in your post: it is again not a real application but a web service packed in an executable file for iPhones - something the world really does not need since service providers such as TiVo are launching their own stuff:
http://news.ebrandz.com/miscellaneo...e-for-programming-remotely-for-tv-freaks.html
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Click to collapse
Im not talking about TiVO (which is not available in the UK), im talking specifically about Sky+.

dude you can alwys try slingplayer for slingbox users, duh

dortyboy said:
dude you can alwys try slingplayer for slingbox users, duh
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Click to collapse
you guys dont get it, this isnt a remote control app nor should I be required to buy a slingbox (expensive). The iphone app is simple, you sign in with your sky account username and password, you pull up a complete TV guide and you set recordings from the app. The app communicates with skys servers which then in turn send a signal to your sky box from wherever you are in the world and your box will record that programme.
Now, granted you can do this from the sky.com website, but typically its one of those sites that just doesnt work in Opera or pocket IE.

Tivo Mobile
Tivo Mobile was released last month but don't know if that helps you.

no hes lives in uk. sky+ is like a uk tivo.
theres an app for iphone that lets you sign into you sky account and record a show from you phone
he want an app that lets him sign into his sky+ account with his mobile

darthbane2k said:
you guys dont get it, this isnt a remote control app nor should I be required to buy a slingbox (expensive). The iphone app is simple, you sign in with your sky account username and password, you pull up a complete TV guide and you set recordings from the app. The app communicates with skys servers which then in turn send a signal to your sky box from wherever you are in the world and your box will record that programme.
Now, granted you can do this from the sky.com website, but typically its one of those sites that just doesnt work in Opera or pocket IE.
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Click to collapse
Well, I got you already in first place! Even the iPhone Application is nothing but a modified webbrowser control, so, basically, you're loading the Sky+ website into your iPhone - and this is why I always wonder then people talk about 'aplication on the iPhone', mostly these are nothing but web services!
Sky+ is promissing and promoting the MOBILE REMOTE RECORDING on their website and I can't believe that OPERA can't view the site properly! You might wanna contact their technical support in order to get it solved!

Actually mate, it is possible to get one of the java apps for the sony phone to work aparently. Though I havent tried it on the diamond, but i did get it working on my wizard.
So, just download one of the sony ericson java remote record apps and install and try. Have a bit of a google.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=680256

You got 2 options to try here,
either just browse to the tv guide page on the sky page as normal, at the top it will give you the option for screen reader version. works a treat, bookmark it to save browsing the horrific sky homepage
you can always 1 up your iPhone freinds, grab skyfire browser, full web browsing including flash. just tried will check if it worked when I get home. Downside is skyfire needs good connection i.e wifi or 3g to work well.
either way less clutter on you phone, rather than the mess of utils you get on iPhone.
hope that helps.

That app has been around for time mate it was a java app and i had it on my symbian phone i think you can get it here they cover all versions
http://anytime.sky.com/mobile.aspx

It seems like owners of WM have to scour the entire globe to find software for their phones. While iPhone owners simply go to the app store and download them all in one place.

RubberDucky451 said:
It seems like owners of WM have to scour the entire globe to find software for their phones. While iPhone owners simply go to the app store and download them all in one place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forget 1 thing:
If you have only 1 single place then this single place will most likely make the decision for you which applications will be available to you and which not - this is (unfortunately) quite common in the Apple Store! I am quite happy that I can different stuff on different places! Often you get your stuff directly from the developer's website where you then find as well support and forums for the particular product.
Now, think about the following: each super market in the world would be Wal-Mart ... go a step further and try to determine what you might find in Wal-Mart if no other stores are around anymore ... go the final step and try to get support from an Wal-Mart employee for the product you bought ... brrrrr!

That java app (which I used to use on an old sony ericsson) does not and will not work on a touch HD with its lack of buttons

Good news http://www.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/tvguide/tvlistingsalternate works in opera.
Bad news - there is no way to login to your account. opera/sky site simply doesnt remember your credentials :-(

why don't you wait for a dev phone like compulab exeda

skyfire vs mach5 browser

mach5 new browser with full flash download it for only ppc better than opera 9.7 download from this site www.netacceler.com

billapannu said:
mach5 new browser with full flash download it for only ppc better than opera 9.7 download from this site www.netacceler.com
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Click to collapse
Thanks
Info already posted
Anyway I´m still with Opera 9.7!!!!!!

Some wants me to pay for a browser? Really?
The website says free trial until June 2009.
They really expect us to pay for a subscription?

Yes, we have two types of browser available
Client side (which means your browser on you PPC/HTC does all the work) or Server side (which means a fast computer somewhere does all the work and sends your PPC pictures of what is happening)
Client Side positives
You decide settings
You install all your favourite add-ons (flash etc)
You keep all you log-on settings
The rendering and compatability is what you install/set (also could be a negative if you aren't competent here)
Server Side positives
Your PPC doesn't need to install anything extra (flash etc), as it's all done on server side
All rendering is done by Server side, so it's simply plug n' play!!
And the negatives (which usually make the choice on such small devices as PPC)
Client Side
Usually takes up memory to install all plug-ins required to visit different sited on the web (eg, flash) (i.e, the more you have installed your PPC, the more compatible it will be with more web sites/pages)
Slows the computer, and takes up memory to render the page (everything needs to be downloaded and processed)
Server Side
You're at the hands of the server (is it set up for QVGA/VGA, how does it input text etc)
The fastest it works is by sending you pictures (whereas you may have a dedicated flash player, such as TCPMP etc)
Your log-on settings are kept by the server (someone else)
The rendering is only as good as the server
The server may be in a different locale to you
The connection takes the bottle-neck (i.e, the faster your connection, the better videos will be - you really need a contract/cost limit on your data downloads!)
So as for Skyfire/Mach5 these are both "Server Side". The one advantage of Mach5 over Skyfire is that it renders as VGA. However, as pointed out, it will cost to continue using Mach5. Another disadvantage that Mach5 has is it's locale - as it's not USA/UK based (and if you are), you will find simply going to google is interesting
Opera is Client Side. This means it really can't be compared to Skyfire/Mach5.
However, Opera Mini is Server Side - and I think there's some great advances there.

Skyfire

billapannu said:
mach5 new browser with full flash download it for only ppc better than opera 9.7 download from this site www.netacceler.com
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Click to collapse
interesting.

scarfacedag said:
Skyfire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa, super digging, dug.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium

skyfire got really smart, think its now better than opera or others

VPN client for WM6.5 that supports open vpn?

Hi,
As the title suggests, I am looking for a vpn client that supports open VPN so I can tunnel all my traffic through it to get around chinese IP blocking. I've dl'd the one found here but it won't open on wm6.5....anyone get this or any other client working to route web traffic through a vpn service? THANKS!!!

censorship
that title should go like "go through chinese VPN blocking",
because I am in the same situation. I guess other people from other countries too. maybe we start a new thread with this title to discuss about it? Note that I am German, but lived here in Beijing now for 1.5 yrs, always annoyed by the blocking..
I tried everything:
Proxies: I could add proxies in the winmo network config, but it seems either China Mobile blocks proxy connections (is that possible?) or it's winmo's fault. I tried many proxies from various websites and lists..
Windows VPN: Thats what I use on my PC to use Twitter/Facebook/Youtube and blocked news websites. Got my server in Germany running 24/7, and its really fast and stable. On windows mobile: no connection possible. It connects for 5 seconds, but as soon as I try to access internet or mail, it just disconnects. could be the slow EDGE network which is just not supporting constant data tunnels. But I tried with WiFi and it was the same, so.. Mabye I am stupid or my WinMo is. I hope the second, hehe..
Open VPN: The client is 2 years old and I guess thats the problem. Tried it once, but already a while ago. Didn't work as I remember correctly..
Other: There's clients for cisco vpn out there. My university WAS supporting this protocol, and with a cracked client (don't remember the name, just google it), it was possible to connect. At least in Germany. But EGDE/3G/WiFi, all no problem.
So I am in the same situation. I wanna use Twitter, Facebook and maaaany news websites, bought Kinoma Play but CAN'T PLAY, .. so if anyone has an idea here how to route traffic constantly through a different country, please share!
-- EDIT
I just checked the website again and found a VERY recent update. http://ovpnppc.ziggurat29.com/blogs/changelog.php - did you try this? I dont have the time right now, but if I ever do I'll report back...

have you found the resolution of wm already? i am using i8000 omnia II with windows6.5. can't find a vpn working method.
could you get back to me [email protected]

same here... did u guys find any solution for it?

Do exist maybe a commercial app for WM6.5.
Gateprotect Mobile or something else that support .ovpn key.
Namaste
Elena

openvpn service with ziggurat29 client official support
I've been looking for an open-vpn service which can be supported by an open vpn client for wm.
The only thing I found is the combination Witopia service, with ziggurat29 openvpn client
It looks good, but the only drawback I've found, is that the annual payment is the only subscription option, not suitable for testing purposes.
All you have to do is to first configure the service on a PC, then copy the configuration files to a new configuration file to fit the open-vpn client for Windows Mobile
wiki.witopia.net/wiki/Installing_personalVPN-SSL_on_Windows_Mobile
Does anyone know of any similar service like Witopia, which has OFFICIAL support for ziggurat29 openvpn client, but that can be paid quarterly?
Best regards

WP7 Mobile sites not showing up?

So I try to access some sites and it sends me directly to a wap site or desktop version. Perfect example was m.facebook.com Old and ugly, someone on xda had mentioned touch.facebook.com What a world of a difference. Does anyone else have any other sites like this?
Another question. Engadget, kotaku, ext.... I use their mobile sites and it wont show the comment sections. I have to direct my self to the desktop version just to see it... Anyone know a work around to this? Thanks in advance.

Not sure if this is what you're asking, but I just leave my phone in desktop mode pretty constantly - the few sites that I wish were in mobile mode can be switched easily enough, and the number of sites which are broken in mobile mode seems to be greater than the number that are broken in desktop mode.
A good example of a site that just does *not* work right on WP7, due to the server over-sealously sniffing the user-agent (recognizing the phone browser even when IE is set to "Desktop" mode), is Gmail. The mobile site is buggy, and there's no way that I've found to force it to actually use the desktop site... so I end up using the plain HTML view if I have to use Gmail for anything beyond accessing my psersonal mail account (which is synced). There are a few other similarly poory-behaved sites.
One would hope that sites with a touch-optimized UI (as opposed to mobile-optimized, which typically just means minimal bandwidth and extremely dumbed-down code), such as touch.facebook.com, would auto-detect WP7 and send it to that site instead (especially if the user-agent is not set to Desktop mode).

queefinout said:
So I try to access some sites and it sends me directly to a wap site or desktop version. Perfect example was m.facebook.com Old and ugly, someone on xda had mentioned touch.facebook.com What a world of a difference. Does anyone else have any other sites like this?
Another question. Engadget, kotaku, ext.... I use their mobile sites and it wont show the comment sections. I have to direct my self to the desktop version just to see it... Anyone know a work around to this? Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
well for engadget there is an app supports comments