skyfire

Software
March 15, 2012
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Skyfire HotSwap lets families share Apple’s iPad and stay logged in [video]

By on March 15, 2012 at 4:00 PM.

Skyfire HotSwap lets families share Apple’s iPad and stay logged in [video]

In a recent feature about Windows 8 and an earlier piece covering some of the problems facing iPad competitors, we mentioned the lack of multi-user login support as one area where media tablet vendors were missing the mark. The iPad also lacks multi-user support of course, but some features associated with multiple login functionality will become available to iPad users beginning Thursday. Skyfire, maker of the popular like-named mobile Web browser, released an updated version of its iPad browser on Thursday that includes a new “HotSwap” feature. The feature allows multiple users to share the same iPad and swap browser profiles, thus eliminating the need to log out of websites and services each time a different family member picks up the device. So, for example, a user can keep all of his or her tabs open and remain logged into Facebook, Twitter and Amazon even if another user logs into the same sites using a different profile. Skyfire with HotSwap is available as a free update for current users, and the app costs $4.99 for new users. The company’s press release follows below, along with a video showcasing the new HotSwap feature. More →

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mobile
April 21, 2011
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Skyfire 4.0 for Android sports eight new features

By on April 21, 2011 at 12:00 PM.

Skyfire 4.0 for Android sports eight new features

Skyfire just took the wraps off of Skyfire 4.0 — its latest and greatest Android browser — and it includes a number of noteworthy enhancements. The SkyBar toolbar is now customizable and has been updated with Groupon, Google Reader, and Twitter integration. SkyBar also now includes a “share” button, feeds for sports, news, and finance, and quick access to the browser’s settings. In tandem with the new launch, Skyfire says that the “video optimization feature,” which typically costs $2.99, will be free to all Verizon customers downloading the update. Current Skyfire users will get the 4.0 update for free. Hit the jump for the full release. More →

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Software
March 11, 2011
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Skyfire 4.0 Pro Edition for Android coming soon

By on March 11, 2011 at 12:00 PM.

Skyfire 4.0 Pro Edition for Android coming soon

Skyfire is prepping a major update to its Android Web browser, which it will call Skyfire 4.0 Pro Edition. The update will include a new pricing model (it’s currently free), a revamped user interface, and “killer features.” It’s unclear how much Skyfire will charge for the new version, or what those “killer features” will be, but the company does promise it will allow for greater personalization and customization. Skyfire says the existing features will remain free to its 2.5 million beta testers, and that the update should be landing in the coming weeks. Hit the jump for the full press release. More →

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Software
March 3, 2011
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Skyfire 3.0 for iPhone hits App Store [video]

By on March 3, 2011 at 3:35 AM.

Skyfire 3.0 for iPhone hits App Store [video]

Earlier today, mobile browser maker Skyfire announced the release of Skyfire 3.0 for Apple’s iPhone. The full-point, browser upgrade packs improved video support for Adobe’s Flash protocol, Twitter and Facebook integration, a new OneTouch Search feature, content recommendations from social network friends, and an integrated Facebook “Like” button.

“Skyfire 3.0 for iPhone makes for the most compelling mobile browsing experience to date,” said Jeff Glueck, Skyfire’s CEO. “This latest iteration leverages the cloud to not only streamline playback of rich multimedia – including Flash video – but also to seamlessly integrate your social graph into the browser.”

The Skyfire web browser retails for $2.99 in the App Store — version 3.0 is a free upgrade for all current Skyfire owners. Hit the jump to see a video of the new code in action. More →

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Breaking
November 3, 2010
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No Flash for you! Skyfire pulled from iOS App Store [Updated]

By on November 3, 2010 at 8:02 PM.

No Flash for you! Skyfire pulled from iOS App Store [Updated]

We should have known it was too good to be true. Just hours after mobile web browser Skyfire landed in Apple’s iOS App Store, it was gone. For reasons only known to Apple, the iDevice company has deemed the alternative browser unworthy of a place in its famed App Store. Skyfire’s claim to fame is in its ability to remotely convert Flash video into HTML5 video that is then viewable on the iPhone. We’ve reached out to Skyfire for comment and will update the post if they respond.

Thanks, CDeeRON!

UPDATE: We’ve been informed that Skyfire pulled the application from the App Store, not Apple. High demand for Flash to HTML5 video conversions stressed the company’s servers to the max. Skyfire plans on retooling their backend infrastructure and relaunching the application.

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mobile
November 3, 2010
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Skyfire browser hits Apple’s App Store

By on November 3, 2010 at 2:16 PM.

Skyfire browser hits Apple’s App Store

Just a quick follow-up to a story we posted yesterday. Alternative iOS web browser Skyfire — the browser that will let you watch Flash movies through some back-end HTML5 wizardry — has officially made its way to the App Store. The application has an “introductory price” of $2.99. If you’re interested, you know what to do. Let us know what you like/dislike about the new browser.

Thanks, deezayy!

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Software
November 2, 2010
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Skyfire for iOS approved with Flash-to-HTML5 video converting in tow

By on November 2, 2010 at 11:44 AM.

Skyfire for iOS approved with Flash-to-HTML5 video converting in tow

A new report Tuesday morning from CNNMoney.com states that Skyfire’s mobile Web browser for iOS has been approved by Apple. Skyfire 2.0, which the report states will become available in Apple’s App Store on Thursday, is one of several mobile Safari alternatives available for the iPhone. The main distinguishing factor touted by Skyfire, however, is the app’s ability to play Adobe Flash-based video content on iOS devices. The app achieves this by utilizing software on Skyfire’s remote servers to convert Flash video to an iOS-friendly HTML5-based format. The converted video then streams to the device from Skyfire’s servers. The crafty workaround won’t support interactive Flash content such as games, but many iOS users will welcome the ability to stream a much wider range of videos than had previously been available on iOS. The app will be available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and will cost $2.99 when it becomes available. Hit the break for a video demo of Skyfire 2.0 in action. More →

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Software
April 7, 2010
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Skyfire puts its BlackBerry plans on ice

By on April 7, 2010 at 7:33 PM.

Skyfire puts its BlackBerry plans on ice

skyfire_logo

Oh dear. It’s no secret that out of all the major mobile platforms, RIM’s BlackBerry OS is the easily one of the most difficult to develop for, but even with that in mind, we didn’t see Skyfire completely abandoning their BlackBerry client, even if they haven’t worked on it in months. In a blog post Wednesday afternoon, Skyfire’s CEO, Jeff Glueck, announced that his company has ceased all work on the BlackBerry version of their popular browser in order to focus on Android. Citing a poor developer environment with inconsistent and fragmented APIs, Glueck apologized to those who have been eagerly awaiting the release of the browser while vowing to return to development provided BlackBerry OS 6.0 delivers on RIM’s promise to bring much needed improvements from a developers perspective. Of course the release of OS 6.0 will see RIM release its WebKit-based browser, but then a little healthy competition is good for us consumers, right?

Thanks, Chris! More →

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Exclusive
April 2, 2010
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First look: Skyfire for Android

By on April 2, 2010 at 7:01 PM.

First look: Skyfire for Android

BGR_NYT_Skyfire

Mobile browser Skyfire has won over the hearts and minds of many Windows Mobile and Symbian users for several reasons, including that it’s fast and supports all sorts of video formats (yes, even Flash). A BlackBerry version of Skyfire has been floating in and out of alpha for quite some time, and today, for a brief period, Skyfire opened up the alpha testing floodgates to Android users. The new WebKit-based Android code is in the very early alpha phases.  Video support of any kind, including Flash, has yet to be implemented — which is Skyfire’s bread and butter (since they’re using WebKit, and rendering locally, we’re starting to question whether it will actually come at all). All the same, we wanted to give you guys a taste of what the Skyfire experience, at least in part, will look like on Android.

Click on over to our Skyfire for Android gallery!

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Exclusive
August 11, 2009
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Skyfire for BlackBerry back in Alpha, version 3.5

By on August 11, 2009 at 2:51 AM.

Skyfire for BlackBerry back in Alpha, version 3.5

What, you thought Skyfire for BlackBerry was totally dead in the water? Nope. They’re back at it again, restarting their alpha program for testers. The latest version is upped to 3.5 and has some nice improvements like downloading files from the browser to your device, setting Skyfire as the default BlackBerry browser and a bunch more. Check out the release notes after the jump.

More →

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Software
July 27, 2009
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Skyfire pulls BlackBerry Alpha

By on July 27, 2009 at 3:02 PM.

Skyfire pulls BlackBerry Alpha

We just got a heads up that because one of the alpha builds for Skyfire for BlackBerry was leaked earlier, Skyfire is taking the servers offline for the next couple weeks. Our guess is that they’re going to implement some sort of security protocol for alpha testers going forward, and you can chalk this up to leaked software ruining the world forever. Here’s the text:

“Today our alpha application was leaked. We are temporarily halting our Alpha program. As you know, we were working with a small group of you under NDA and our intent was not to open the program beyond that small number right now.

We appreciate your feedback on Alpha3, and in the next few weeks we’ll be sending you a new build to test. In the meantime, the servers will be down and you will not be able to use the application.”

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Software
July 11, 2009
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Skyfire Beta for BlackBerry released to testers

By on July 11, 2009 at 1:27 PM.

Skyfire Beta for BlackBerry released to testers

Try to compose yourselves, BlackBerry users. We know it’s hard, what with the knowledge that you’re now closer than ever to having a browser on your handsets that isn’t completely abysmal, but do try. Word came through this morning that registered Skyfire BlackBerry testers now have a new version available and ripe for the picking. The beta, version 1.0.0.12304, is said to be a pretty significant improvement over the alpha 2 version though there’s still plenty of work to be done. Patience is a virtue but let’s tell it like it is — we can’t be rid of the BlackBerry browser soon enough so hurry up Skyfire Labs! Hit the jump for the new feature list along with known bugs.

More →

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Exclusive
April 22, 2009
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Skyfire for BlackBerry gets shot up

By on April 22, 2009 at 7:40 PM.

Skyfire for BlackBerry gets shot up

We reported a little while back that Skyfire was testing a version of their web browser made for the BlackBerry with a “small friends and family” group of alpha testers. Well, apparently they weren’t that close because one of our ninjas just blessed us with a bunch of shots. (We asked Skyfire to be part of the alpha test under NDA of course, and they declined. Oh well!). Besides Skyfire not realizing we’d be on this like CrackBerry.com and a extended BlackBerry battery sale, we actually have good news to report. Our ninja described the very early alpha software as “already being the best BlackBerry browser ever.” Nice, right? Sites load fast and effortless supposedly, with streaming flash video also working without a hiccup. But hey, we could talk all day, it’s the screenshots you want to see.

Click on over to our Skyfire for BlackBerry gallery!

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