Skyfire is submitting its mobile browser for approval by Apple and the big news is that it will bring Flash capability with it. Will be fascinating to see where this one goes over the next few weeks. Thanks to Claire.
Skyfire’s Cloud Technology May End Public Standoff Over Flash on “iDevices”
Mountain View, CA – August 31, 2010– Skyfire is submitting a mobile browser to Apple’s App Store capable of playing Flash video while adhering to all Apple’s guidelines regarding HTML5 open-video standards on Apple devices.
Skyfire 2.0 for iPhone follows on the heels of Skyfire’s recent launch on Android, which has now become one of the most popular third-party browsers on Google’s mobile platform, with nearly a million downloads in its first three months.
Skyfire 2.0 is the first mobile browser built for the social media generation and makes the mobile Internet experience faster, Flash-enabled and fun, including smart media recommendations.
What’s in Skyfire 2.0 for iPhone:
· Flash Video –The “Video” icon enables users to play millions of Flash videos around the web that otherwise do not play on mobile. This unlocks content trapped behind those error messages with question marks and blue Legos by transcoding the Flash content into HTML5 on Skyfire’s servers.
· Related Content – The “Explore” icon brings the most relevant content on the Internet to a user’s fingertips based on what they are viewing at the time. The Explore button pulls video, buzz, news, images and other sites from the wbased on what is on the current page.
Adherence to Apple’s Standards:
Skyfire for iPhone was built in tight accordance to Apple guidelines, including the use of a WebKit browser core shared with Safari, and h.264 adaptive streaming.
Skyfire’s famed cloud-computing technology translates Flash video on the fly from millions of web sites into HTML5 formats, and supports iOS devices via Apple’s HTTP live streaming standard. Skyfire also avoids the concerns raised in Steve Jobs’ recent essay regarding Flash on mobile devices. By optimizing Flash for iPhones and network conditions in the Cloud, Skyfire improves performance and maximizes battery life while playing video. The browser also avoids alternate runtime environments and other security vulnerabilities.
“We’re excited to submit a mobile browser for iPhone and iPod Touch that addresses Apple’s concerns regarding Flash deployment on mobile devices,” explains Jeff Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “Rather than enabling Flash, Skyfire will translate videos into Apple standards. Skyfire supports HTML5 but at the same time, we recognize that the transition to HTML5 for 100 million Flash publishers will take years. We hope to bridge that gap and solve a problem for consumers who want access to millions of previously-unavailable videos on their iPhones.”
Infinitely preferable to actually having to run Flash itself. Hope it works out. But I also hope it doesn’t prop up Flash for a second longer than is necessary. At the moment, Flash is like a ball and chain around the ankle of the mobile internet. Despite Adobe’s promises, it runs like a dog on Android and no other mobile platform is anywhere close to having a working version.
Lazyboy – from the android devices I have used flash is not that bad. Sometimes slow but not always.
Which Android devices have you used that run flash? The only ones that can have Froyo loaded.
If this is the best that Adobe can deliver, it’s not worth the effort:
http://newteevee.com/2010/08/31/video-flash-on-android-is-startlingly-bad/
I had a HTC Hero working perfect. However on my iPhone I’m not missing it. Miss it more but only a bit more on the iPad.
Off topic but ordered a new Nano:)
Equally off topic: I’m getting at least two Apple TVs.
:)
I won’t be getting Apple TV. I can’t quite see what it would give me that I can’t get with my iPhone 4 and a cable. Even as low as $99, that’s a lot for convenience.
Lazyboy – very nice.
I am with Shaun. In UK we have free stuff via BBC iplayer. Also I can buy a lot of DVDs very cheap.
The iTunes rentals for new movies and tv shows combined with netflix for older content Is a pretty compelling mix. Combine that with Airplay on my Mac, iPhone and iPad and it’s a convenience that is well worth it for me. If I plug my iphone or iPad into the tv I can’t use it for anything else. With two Apple TVs, I have a solution for the living room and the basement, and my older Apple TV takes care of the bedroom.
“If I plug my iphone or iPad into the tv I can’t use it for anything else.”
You could use it for watching TV which is why Apple TV is there. You wouldn’t turn on Apple TV and then use your iPhone.
AND before you say your kids could use the Apple TV you could use the iPad(s) you have instead of the iPhone.
Come one Trevor- admit it, you just want another Apple gadget, or two:):)
I agree that the Apple TV is far less compelling in the UK.
@Shaun
Lol. Someone has got to keep Apple going.
Seriously, 200 bucks for a couple of Apple TVs is a small price to pay for whole house media flexibility.
“You could use it for watching TV which is why Apple TV is there. You wouldn’t turn on Apple TV and then use your iPhone.”
Huh? I’m a multitaska when I watch TV. So, Apple TV will handle the TV bit, while I’m free to mess about with iPad/iPhone or both.
Lazyboy. It won’t just be 200 bucks. Think of the cost of those 99 cent rentals. Soon adds up just like apps except you don’t own a copy.
I love rewatching films. Hence my large DVD collection.
But I suppose if space is important then Apple have a winner.
Also the Internet data is not unlimited. So all the films will soon cost extra on broadband penalties.
And if streaming what if streaming speed is slow. There is no hard drive to buffer.
Gavin, you can still purchase tv shows and movies in iTunes as usual, if it’s something that you want to see over and over again. I don’t intend upon renting whole seasons of TV shows, but 99c per episode is decent for catching up on the odd episode.
“Broadband penalties” are a non-issue. We’ve been using an Apple TV for several years to rent and buy movies. Netflix has unlimited streaming to other set top boxes, and it hasn’t been a problem for those users either.
As for performance issues, the new Apple TV apparently has flash memory to act as a buffer when streaming. From Wired:
“TV and movie rentals are really snappy and fast. After choosing to rent a movie or show, the Apple TV takes a few seconds to prepare a buffer and begins streaming right away.”
And from Engadget:
“We like what we see. The streaming was speedy and extremely clear during our demo, and the overall speed of the interface seemed really solid.”
@Lazyboy
“As for performance issues, the new Apple TV apparently has flash memory to act as a buffer when streaming. From Wired:”
Back on topic. So Apple products do use flash.
Heh heh. I’d love flash on my iPad!
I very nearly impulse purchased an Apple TV as even though it is more expensive in the UK it’s still a great price point. Then I realised just how little content was available over here. I wonder if they will implement iPlayer somehow?
Lazyboy. Let me know what you think when you get them.
Will do, Gavin.