Released: Skyfire 1.0

Earlier this year, we took a look at the Beta version of the mobile browser Skyfire for Windows Mobile Touch and non-Touch Screen phones. We liked the potential Skyfire had but found it to be noticeably slower than the competition. Well the developers over at Skyfire have been working diligently to iron out all the bugs on the mobile browser and today released Skyfire 1.0 for Windows Mobile Touch and non-Touch Screen phones.

According to Skyfire,



"Skyfire remains committed to providing everything the PC web has to offer in a mobile experience with blazing fast speeds. For the first time, consumers can use their phones to watch any web video and live events, stay connected with friends, share web pages instantly, and use the full-featured PC versions of their favorite websites. Skyfire is the only mobile browser to support popular web standards and plug-ins such as Flash 10, Silverlight 2, Ajax, Javascript and more, so the rich media on websites work on phones just like the PC. Known for its speed, Skyfire launches quickly and loads web pages quicker than other mobile browsers."



"Skyfire users can customize the start page with RSS feeds from their favorite websites. In addition, they can integrate their Facebook and Twitter accounts to import status updates and tweets, and easily publish their status to these networks. Skyfire is the only mobile browse to share and publish any web page to Facebook and Twitter networks with one click."

Follow the break for some screen shots and our impressions on the Skyfire 1.0. <!--break-->

The major drawback of the Beta version we tested earlier was the lack of zip Skyfire presented in that pages loaded noticeably slower than other mobile browsers. Skyfire 1.0 page load speeds have improved and the browser moves along with a little more zip than the Beta. In downloading the WMExperts website on my AT&T Fuze using Skyfire, the complete download took 14 seconds. Using Opera Mobile, the download took 20 seconds.

While page load times improved there is a noticeable slow down whenever you pull up the browser's menus, go to enter text on a website (e.g. search fields) or checking an option box. It took 3-5 seconds from tapping on the WMExperts.com search field and being allowed to enter the text. These delays aren't consistent but noticeable.

Granted, download speeds aren't entirely dependent on the application with network speeds and reception playing a significant role in the scheme of things. But the delays in entering a username or keyword in a search box aren't noticeable with other browsers (if they exist at all).

Skyfire does a lot on the server side to reduce the workload on your phone and data connection. The delays in entering text into search, username, password, and other fields may be related to the server side work Skyfire does.
Key Features of Skyfire 1.0

While performance has improved from the Beta version, here is some of what Skyfire 1.0 offers:
" Thumbnail interaction : Now you can click on links immediately after the page loads without having to zoom in. This enhancement is especially helpful for high resolution phones, and for familiar sites where you know right away where you want to click.
" Improved Zoom : Double-tap or double-click to zoom over any element, including links, images or videos. The zoom interaction is smoother and more responsive as well.
" Enhanced Navigation : When you navigate back or forward, you return to the last viewport (e.g. zoom level and portion of the page). Skyfire remembers even the viewport when you select a page from your history. You also have shortcut keys, (9) for forward and (7) for backward navigation.
" Fast start : Skyfire changed both the sequence and behavior of the browser launch so you get started as quickly as possible. You can type a search or URL in the Superbar while Skyfire is connecting in the background. Start up was noticeably faster with 1.0 than the Beta versions.
" Reconnect to last state : When you leave Skyfire in the background Skyfire will disconnect to preserve battery life. When you restore the browser it will reload the same page to the same zoom level and focus.
" Enhanced search results : Google results now include video, news articles, local results all blended on a single results page and ordered by relevance. Vertical search categories are still available.
Known issues with Skyfire 1.0

Skyfire does have some known issues with this release which include:
" HTTP Authentication (e.g. the native browser dialog that asks for username and password when going to certain sites) is not supported.
" Text entry into Flash or Silverlight plug-ins is not supported.
" Skyfire does not support local storage mode for plug-ins. Thus the following will be affected: Netflix media player, Pandora media player, Rhapsody media player.
Overall Impressions

As expected, Skyfire 1.0 is a much better application than Skyfire Beta. The application itself is very stable with no crashes, lock-ups, or ghostly possessions noted in the pre-release copy that was tested.

Skyfire's homepage has the potential of being a good, one-stop source for news and information with the ability to add RSS feeds, Facebook and Twitter integration, and other news feeds. The entire layout of the home page from the RSS feeds to the tabbed history and bookmarks pages is a nice design feature.

Skyfire's speeds are up to a respectable levels and a vast improvement from the Beta. There were some delays in page loads but no slower than any other browser. Unfortunately, interaction speeds (using text fields such as "search", checking options, customization commands, etc.) are noticeably slow. It also took a considerable amount of time to pull up the browser's history.

Skyfire has taken a major step in the right direction with Skyfire 1.0. If the "interactive" delays can be addressed it would be hard to overlook Skyfire for your mobile internet needs. As it stands now, Skyfire 1.0 is worth trying. You can check it out yourself by downloading a free copy here .

Microsoft's My Phone Service Open To All

Microsoft's My Phone service is still in beta but you no longer need a registration code to get started. If you haven't yet subscribed to the service on your Windows Mobile 6.x device, now you can. It will back up your text messages, emails, contacts, appointments, documents, music and photos from your device or storage card.

It can be scheduled to back up in the wee hours of the morning so you never have to mess with it. It won't back up any data that is tied to an Exchange account though, as it assumes that is your backup plan for that data. Supported documents only includes what your device natively supports, like Word, Excel and text files. Third party documents, like those added by ListPro or HanDBase will not be backed up.

It is free and requires you to install an app on your device to get going.

Update: I forgot to mention, it is now available in 25 languages, so this should now work on a number of devices that couldn't participate in the earlier beta stages.

OpMon v0.3

Description:
OpMon allows you to change the mobile operator name on your device to one of your choosing.

The mobile operator name is what you see when you enter your dialpad, receive an incoming call and what is displayed at the upper-left corner of the HTC Home plugin (ex. Sprint PCS, AT&T 3G). OpMon does not make any permanent changes, instead there is a background process (opset.exe) which checks at specified intervals to see what the current name is and makes a change if it doesn't match your custom name.

You may see the name change back to the default occasionally when the phone's radio status changes (when the phone radio is turned off, roaming, etc.). OpMon will automatically change it to your custom selection as long as background monitoring is turned on, even after a soft-reset!

NOTE:
You can set the "Check name every ____ seconds" option to as low as 1 second without adversely affecting performance on your device. Your mileage may vary.

Usage:
1. Install OpMon.cab.
2. Launch OpMon from Start->Programs->OpMon.
3. Enter a custom operator name.
4. Check enable background monitoring.
5. Set the number of seconds between name checks.

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 5.0
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 6.x
* Microsoft .NET 2.0 Compact Framework

More information:
OpMon

Download

IMSMS v1.0.734

Description:
What is IMSMS? IMSMS stands for Instant Messaging SMS - it is a tool that allows your mobile phone to send and receive SMS messages in true traditional INSTANT MESSAGING FASHION.

It will also act as an SMS management system to maintain of all your SMS messsages. You can then archive and save them in your phone or read them on a desktop computer. It was originally designed for the HTC 620/Tmobile Dash (a wonderful design of a phone btw!) and is fast and easy to use! IMSMS is FEATURE RICH - the only application to offer so much - there's nothing like in on the market for Windows Mobile devices!

Some features IMSMS supports:
* No numbering formats - all internal phone book contacts supported from the get-go.
* Supports "Dynamic Alerts" - (callerID) instant alert notification and instant jumping to the missed messages
* Supports AUTO START and SMS NOTIFY (which passes a copy of the message to any software) AUTO START will automatically start up IMSMS when messages arrive even if IMSMS is NOT RUNNING
* Supports color text, audio customizations, and UI background color features
* Supports SKINNING of the display screen! Make your own custom IMSMS!
* Supports chat log archiving and allows you to easily copy and view on your desktop - keeps all messages stored so essentially an SMS management service as well!
* Missed message alert notifications (audio) and will (AUTO DISPLAY) - bring itself to foreground when messages arrive;
* Supports full custom ringtones PER contact - each contact can have a distinct custom ringtone.
* Also supports full MUTE to disable sounds temporarily - totally separate controls from your system sound profiles.
* Vibration+Sound alert feature if preferred over an audible alert PPC and Smartphone editions
* Notification ICONS for both PPC/SMARTPHONE Editions!
* Editable preset messages allow you to send instant messages without having to type it all out
* Editable preset AWAY messaging system - allows you to auto send messages with send control too!
* Auto Away (when idle)
* Yahoo! emoticon support and custom animated emoticons (make your own)
* ONE VIEW feature allows all incoming and outgoing messages to be viewed - so you don't have to switch logs to view incoming messages.
* Receive MMS messages with IMSMS running (does not block MMS)
* Call contact from within IMSMS
* Multi-threaded message processing engine
* Unicode supported - default send/receive in your device's native language
* FREE and always will be FREE

Attention:
You must archive and DELETE ALL YOUR CHAT LOGS when installing the performance enhanced version of IMSMS - any version BEFORE (Version 1.0.210) ONLY - Any version AFTER 1.0.210 you do not need to perform this procedure (ONLY if you have never installed IMSMS before).
This will create new logs from start and ensure everything will function properly. TO archive and delete, use the MENU->Chat Logs->Archive ALL function.

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 5.0
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 6.x

More information:
IMSMS

Download

Skydeck 2.11

Description:
Skydeck is your cell phone, online. All of your contacts, calls and text messages are synced to Skydeck.com and you can search and reply to your messages from Skydeck as if it were your cell phone.

FREE FEATURES:

Dynamic Address Book
* Sync to the web: all your cell phone contacts are backed up online and changes are automatically updated.
* Sync to your friends: request contact updates from your friends and let them edit your phone address book directly. (If your friends use Skydeck too you get updated automatically when their contact information changes.)
* Smart sorting: Skydeck learns who is important to you and ranks them first.
* Smart lookup: new numbers get turned into names and added to your address book automatically.

Search, Send, and Receive Texts Online
* Text online: get all your texts online, even when you leave your phone at home.
* Reply from the web: use your full-size keyboard to reply when you are at your PC.
* Backup: save all your messages online in case you lose your phone.
* Search your texts: find a name or number that someone texted to you a year ago.

Manage Your Phone Calls The Way You Manage Email
* Never forget a call: keep track of every conversation and add notes and tags.
* No more mystery numbers: Skydeck looks up new phone numbers for you.
* Find out whom you need to call next and who never calls you back.

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 6
* Register to Skydeck

More information:
Skydeck

Download

Stay Unlock

Summary: Stay Unlock will keep your device unlocked for a predefined period of time.

" Submitted: 2009-05-13 Download Stay Unlock

Mobile friendly download

SmartJournal v2.0

Description:
With SmartJournal, you can keep track of your phone calls at all times.

It takes the call log of your phone and transfers it into the Outlook journal.

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile
* Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista
* 1MB free hard disk space
* Microsoft Outlook (2003 & 2007 tested, but 2000/XP should also work)
* ActiveSync installed

As it is build with Visual Studio 2008, the redistributables pack is needed. To install this, you need:
* Windows Installer 3.1
* Redistributables pack

More information:
SmartJournal

Download

Facebook v1.0.0.7 for your Windows Mobile 6 phone

Description:
New from Windows Mobile: a Facebook application for your phone!

Download the new Facebook application for Windows Mobile and:
* Send messages to any of the people in your Friends list.
* Take pictures and videos on your phone, then upload them right to Facebook.
* Send messages or call people in your Friends list.
* Manage your profile and post anytime, anywhere.

Keep up with the latest news and posts with Facebook on your phone. Now your status updates can be up-to-the moment accounts of what youre doing. Photos and videos are about as close to live-action as you can get. Show your friends what youre up to, while youre out and about.

Connecting and sharing on Facebook just got a lot livelier!

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 6

More information:
Facebook

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MXit (Windows Mobile) v1.1.0

Description:
MXit is a FREE instant messaging application for your mobile phone and PCs. This means that you can chat to other MXit users on their mobiles and PCs, anywhere in the world, for FREE.

It enables you to send and receive text messages to and from mobile phones and PCs via the Internet using GPRS or 3G, rather than by using standard SMS technology. So each time you chat you are allowed up to 1000 characters at a fraction of the cost of an SMS! MXit enables you to exchange messages with other users or most other online chat communities - anywhere, anytime!

Communication has never been easier.

In addition to basic chat services, MXit offers loads of other ways to express yourself on your mobile phone. Meet people, play games, customize your phone. The fun starts at Tradepost - a contact that was automatically added to your contact list when you registered with MXit. Send a blank message to Tradepost to see what's on offer.

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 5
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 6

More information:
MXit (Windows Mobile)

Download

CellProfileSwitcher v2.26 Beta 4

Description:
With CellProfileSwitcher, you can use the information about the mobile cell your phone uses to do some work for you. For example, your phone can automatically silent itself when you get to work.

Features:
* Change profile
* Change Bluetooth status
* Execute a program
* Vibrate (short for entering the cell, long for leaving it)
* Change the home screen
* Show a message
* Play a wave sound
* Change the phone's wave volume
* Notify Automatic Keylock (which must be installed separately)
* Switch Wifi (Wifi-enabled WM5 phones only)
* Enable flight mode

Changelog:

version 2.26 Beta 4:
* Fixed group logon settings incorrectly overwriting restore settings when entering a cell again after signal loss
* Fixed profile sometimes not being switched on logon after restore or logoff from another group.

version 2.25:
* Added generic RIL cell data retrieval backend, which allows every device that has a properly implemented RIL proxy DLL to use CPS. Unfortunately, some vendors (like Asus) don't implement RIL in their phones.
* Added compatibility for the Ipaq 514 firmware 2.x.
* Improved text file logging.
* Changed naming scheme of log files (now: cps-motion-MM-YYYY)
* Fixed scroll ability of "Learn cells" dialog.
* Completely overhauled XML logging. Previously, the XML was filled with a lot of redundant data (oldcell/newcell tags). Now, one cellchange tag only contains a time, a cell and a group entry.
Additionally, group and cell names are now escaped properly.
* A bunch of minor fixes.

version 2.2:
* Call forwarding can be set depending on cell changes
* The previous cell data is now available to the homescreen plugin. ( / and so on)
* There now is a timeout for cell learning.
* You now can play a wave file when losing / regaining signal coverage.
* The cells of a deleted group can now be (optionally) be deleted immediately instead of moving them to "Unassigned".
* The used GSM band can show be shown in the near cells dialog.
* There now is supported for all known Tornado and StarTrk ROMs as well as the HTC Excalibur.

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 2003
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 5
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 6

More information:
CellProfileSwitcher

Download
Stable

Spb Software Adds Over 40 New Channels to Spb TV

"Spb TV is a subscription-free mobile IPTV viewer, designed for tuning in to publicly available digital TV channels from all over the world. A downloadable software client, Spb TV makes a wide range of international live TV channels available for viewing directly on Windows Mobile phones. Spb TV does not only provide users with access to a world of live TV streaming on the go, but it offers exclusive on-screen controls and an integrated TV guide. Spb TV supports fast channels switching, use of intelligent stream correction, picture-in-picture mode, and export of show reminders into Outlook, brining the genuine TV watching experience onto mobile. Spb TV requires a high speed mobile data connection which may be available via 3G, Wi-Fi, or WiMax networks."

Spb Software has just added over forty new international channels to Spb TV, bringing the total channel count to close to a hundred. The majority of them were suggested by users, so if you can't find your favourite channel in the list, simply suggest it ; there's a good chance that Spb Software will take it into consideration. If you've yet to try or buy Spb TV, head over to our affiliate software store (Classic/Professional , Standard ).

Review: iBrowz

We ran across an interesting application the other day that's a little bit of a mystery. iBrowz is part RSS styled reader and part portal to online services but most important, it's is free. Developed by the Intouch Group, iBrowz is a BETA application that is truly a mixed bag that brings all the headlines from CNN, Sports Illustrated and USA Today to your Windows Mobile phone plus access to online services such as Paypal, Netflix and Fandango.

To see what all iBrowz can do, plus some screen shots simply follow the break. <!--break-->
Installation

To get iBrowz, you first need to visit their website at http://www.getibrowz.com and either have the download link emailed to you directly or sent to your phone via text message. Once the .cab file is downloaded and installed, you are sent to an iBrowz installation wizard where you set up your account, subscription preferences, update preferences, and screen layout.

After you have everything set up on your phone, updating or synchronization of your subscriptions occurs and your in business. Should you need to change subscriptions, you can easily add or subtract from your subscription list through your phone application's menu or online.
Performance

As mentioned, iBrowze is a combination between a RSS styled reader and online service launcher. The RSS reader comes into play with your news, sports, weather and entertainment channels. The online service portal comes into play with services such as Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com, Fandango, and Paypal. Each subscription is represented by an icon that iBrowz refers to as widgets. Regardless of the term, each subscription is represented by a symbol/logo/widget/icon/thumbnail but for arguments sake iBrowz refers to them as widgets.

The online counterpart to the phone application is iBrowz's iStation. From the iBrowz website you simply log into your account and you can modify your subscriptions, update schedule and widget layout.

In using iBrowz updates were fast with no delays, hang-ups or bugs. Navigation is simple. Tap the category widget to see your subscriptions under that category (e.g. News will pull up CNN, USA Today, Reuters, etc.), then tap on the individual subscription to see the headlines. Tapping on the headlines will pull up the full story.

For the online service icons, tapping these will send you the relevant online service. In tapping Amazon.com, I'm sent to a mobile version of their website. Need to check your PayPal balance? There's a widget that will send you straight to PayPal. In many respects, this sounds a lot like your web browser's "Favorites" menu but you are sent to these sites directly through iBrowz. By not having to go through your web browzer (Opera, Pocket Explorer, etc.) the process seems to be quicker. Some of the speed is due to the fact that much of the content is stored on your phone. When I pulled up the BestBuy.com site, it appeared almost instantly but when I ran the search for "Treo Pro" it took just a few seconds longer because the searched reached out beyond iBrowz.

The bad thing about iBrowz is that you can't add RSS feeds. Subscriptions, at the present, are restricted to the predefined feeds established by iBrowz. Keep in mind that iBrowz is still a BETA application (i.e. work in progress) so things can change. In reading their website, it appears they are open to adding new subscriptions to their listings but for the time being, you can't add your own customized feed.
Overall Impression

The more I used iBrowz , the more I liked it. Set-up was easy, navigation very easy, update/synchronization speeds were good, and the application, while still in BETA form, was stable. While I'm not a big fan of the banner ads, I'm sure the advertising iBrowz offers helps keep this a free application.

The only thing missing is the ability to add custom subscriptions. This may be the only Achilles's Heel with iBrowz and the only reason it received below four stars. Still, if you frequently use the online services and can live within the subscription limitations, this is definitely an application to take a look at. Being a free application, is a bonus and you really don't have anything to loose by giving it a try.
Overall: 3.5/5

Pros
" Free Application
" Easy Setup
" Easy Navigation
" Fast Updating/Sync Speeds
Cons
" Can't add subscription channels

Iris Browser v1.1.7

Description:
A new update for the Iris Browser has been released with various improvements including improved zooming and text layout, faster page loading powered by brand new networking code, additional configurability, and much more!

The Iris Browser is an advanced, high-performance and versatile application that is specifically designed to function in resource-constrained environments. It brings the full Web experience to mobile phones, set-top boxes, mobile Internet devices, portable media players, Ultra-Mobile PCs and other embedded devices - in a fast and user-friendly manner.

The Iris Browser leverages the WebKit rendering engine, providing a powerful, standards-based and Web experience that is consistent across mobile Web devices. Harnessing our extensive WebKit expertise, we made the Iris Browser small, fast and adaptable.

Why shouldn't you get the desktop browsing experience in a mobile environment? With the Iris Browser's revolutionary technology, you can access the full Web on resource-constrained device and get the same functionality as you would on a PC.

The Iris Browser offers unparalleled flexibility. Its browser layer and user interface are modular and can be easily customized to meet specific requirements. The component-based design provides manufacturers with complete control over the software. The Iris Browser is portable to many devices and platforms.

Some core features include:

* WebKit Rendering Engine
Our developers have unparalleled expertise with WebKit, the rendering engine that is quickly becoming the de facto standard for cutting edge Web browsing. We built the Iris Browser to bring you everything that WebKit has to offer, including standards-compliance, efficiency, portability and stability.

* Customizable Interface
The graphical user interface of the Iris Browser is highly customizable. This means that we can adapt it to your specific requirements.

* Touch Screen Control
The Iris Browser is equipped with intuitive touch screen controls, giving you more control than ever over your Web browsing experience without making you navigate complicated menus.

* Advanced HTML & CSS Support
We believe in being ahead of the curve. That's why the Iris Browser supports both HTML 4 and some parts of the upcoming HTML 5 (canvas), as well as CSS 2.x and 3.x, allowing you to view cutting edge Web sites with exciting new features.

* Languages
Devices are shipped all over the world. Your software shouldn't limit your market. The Iris Browser supports internationalization of the user interface and viewing Web sites with international encodings.

* Zoom & Tap Function
The Iris Browser lets you focus on what you want to see. When you view a Web site, you're looking at the full page that is shrunk down to fit the size of your display. Nothing is missing. You can focus on what interests you by tapping on the screen and zooming into specific sections of the page.

* Multiple Windows and Tabs
You want your Web browsing experience to be smooth and simple, so we designed the Iris Browser to support multiple windows as well as multiple tabs, allowing you to easily transition between Web pages.

* Input Methods
The Iris Browser can handle any input method that's on your platform. Handwriting recognition. On-screen keyboards. iTap. Auto-complete. No problem!

* Software mouse cursor
Not all Web pages are created equal. In fact, some are impossible to navigate without a mouse cursor. The virtual mouse in the Iris Browser lets you chart your own Web experience through all sites, giving you the freedom to take a desktop browsing experience with you on the go.

* Special Effects
You want your device to be unique. We do too. The Iris Browser provides a broad range of special effects, including animations and sound effects, letting you to tailor the application to your style. Some of the existing page transitions that you can choose from include slide-in/slide-out, tear away, shatter, swirl, and many more.

* Rotating Devices
Now you can get the most out of your hardware. If you're using a device with a rotating screen, the Iris Browser automatically and seamlessly rotates the contents and reformats the page between landscape and portrait modes.

* Advanced Security Features
We want your Web experience to be fun and safe. That's why the Iris Browser includes a number of advanced security features, including phishing and spoofing protection.

* Pop-Up Blockers
We know you don't want your Web experience to be interrupted, which is why the Iris Browser is designed to block annoying pop-up messages.

Other Features Include:
* Advanced mobile key navigation
* HTTP cache optimized for low disk usage
* SSL and authenticated proxy support
* Styled Form Controls
* Netscape plug-in API
* JavaScript/ECMAScript 1.5
* SVG, XPath and XSLT support
* History Auto-Complete
* Efficient storage of bookmarks and cookies
* Bookmark editor, carrier specified list
* Favorite icons and history
* XHTML 1.x mobile profile support
* Customizable about: pages

Requirements:
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 5
* Smartphone Windows Mobile 6

More information:
Iris Browser

Download