by dave on October 26th, 2009 /
Category: News
Bolt mobile web browser has been taken out of Beta version and is now officially Bolt 1.5. Bolt is a very capable web browser for Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices that uses server-side technology to deliver full media support to the the mobile web browser. Bolt version 1.5 allows streaming videos of any length, includes a handy download manager, and reloads previous pages from cache instead of downloading them again – saving time and data costs.
The main selling point of Bolt is it’s speed: it downloads pages quickly and without fuss: the ESPN.com homepage downloaded in about 15 seconds. Most of that (about 10 seconds) was staring at a blank screen, but once the first bit loaded the rest really seemed to zip along. Other than the snappy performance, and the fact that its free, the rest of the browser doesn’t offer a very enjoyable experience.
The UI is missing some of the key features we see on new apps these days: big buttons, easily selectable lists, etc. You can see from the bookmarks page below – it isn’t terribly finger-friendly.
That said, Bolt 1.5 is a quick and reliable web browser. I hope version 2.0 address the UI issues, including improved navigation, and then Bolt could be a real threat to Opera and Skyfire.
You can download Bolt 1.5 for free from the Bolt website.
At long, long last, Adobe is bringing Flash to Windows Mobile, and the other smartphone platforms, of course. Arriving in early 2010, Flash on the mobile platforms will bring native flash rendering on your device, reducing the need for some of the server-side proxy rendering we see in browsers like Skyfire and Bolt.
From Adobe:
The browser-based runtime leverages the power of the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for accelerated video and graphics while conserving battery life and minimizing resource utilization. New mobile-ready features that take advantage of native device capabilities include support for multi-touch, gestures, mobile input models, accelerometer and screen orientation bringing unprecedented creative control and expressiveness to the mobile browsing experience. Flash Player 10.1 will also take advantage of media delivery with HTTP streaming, including integration of content protection powered by Adobe® Flash® Access 2.0. This effort, code-named Zeri, will be an open format based on industry standards and will provide content publishers, distributors and partners the tools they need to utilize HTTP infrastructures for high-quality media delivery in Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe® AIR® 2.0 software.
For the full press release, visit the Adobe website.
by dave on October 14th, 2009 /
Category: News
The battle of the Windows Mobile web browsers continue to heat up with the release of Bolt 1.5. Bolt takes after Skyfire in that it uses server-side technology to render a desktop-PC-like browsing experience on the mobile: full video, audio and other rich media support.
From their website:
LIGHTNING FAST MOBILE BROWSING
- Routinely loads pages at least 25%-50% faster than competing mobile browsers
- Patented navigation and display technologies get you where you’re going faster
WATCH. CONNECT. SURF.
- View streaming videos from sites like YouTube, MySpace and Google
- Enjoy full desktop PC-style Facebook and social media functionality
- Subscribe to RSS feeds
- Shop securely
- Browse any website
UNCOMPROMISED WEB EXPERIENCE
- Full desktop PC-style browsing on all types of mobile phones
LIGHTNING FAST MOBILE BROWSING
- Routinely loads pages at least 25%-50% faster than competing mobile browsers
- Patented navigation and display technologies get you where you’re going faster
WATCH. CONNECT. SURF.
- View streaming videos from sites like YouTube, MySpace and Google
- Enjoy full desktop PC-style Facebook and social media functionality
- Subscribe to RSS feeds
- Shop securely
- Browse any website
UNCOMPROMISED WEB EXPERIENCE
- Full desktop PC-style browsing on all types of mobile phones
- Web content is never reformatted, repurposed, or removed
Web content is never reformatted, repurposed, or removed
