Bolt Browser has been in beta for quite some time and the last time it was updated was back in June. Today Bitstream let me know that they are officially dropping the Bolt Browser beta tag with the release of version 1.5!

Here’s a reminder of what BOLT is all about:

BOLT is a fast mobile browser that offers an uncompromised browsing experience on even entry-level mobile phones. It is compatible with virtually any handset with Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) 2.0 support. In non-geekspeak, this means “it works on lots of phones, even basic ones.”

Rather than offering a simplified, mini version of the Internet, BOLT provides users with an efficient, feature-rich way to enjoy full PC-style Web pages and rich media applications on all levels of mobile devices.

New in BOLT v1.5:

• Server upgrades (make v1.5 15% faster than Beta3)
• Cache support that enables directly browsing back to a previously visited page
• Download manager that downloads files directly within BOLT on JSR 75 capable devices
• Dedicated search bar, enabling search on popular search engines directly from BOLT
• Enhanced column width control that auto-aligns the text to columns for ease of reading
• Enhanced video support that includes inline media playing capability even on low-end devices.
• Support for streaming videos of any length
• Volume UP/DOWN controls in the inline media player
• Ability to rearrange the subscribed feeds using the ‘grab’ feature
• Access to History links from the URL window with inline editing OFF
• One click access on Home Page that ensures the cursor jumps to the desired widget

For more info or to download Bolt Browser directly to your BlackBerry visit boltbrowser.com. If you already have Bolt Browser you will be prompted to update the next time you run it. Let me know how this new version works for you in the comments!

Opera has released Beta 5 of their popular real-web browsing application for mobile phones.

Here are the top new features in Opera Mini 5 beta:

• Tabbed browsing
  Browse several Web sites at the same time. Jump easily from one to another.
• Speed dial
  Your favorite sites are just one click away.
• Touch & Keypad
  The interface optimizes the display for both touchscreen and keypad phones.
• Password manager
  Log on to your e-mail, social network and other sites with just one click.

If you watch the video above you can see the new version in action.

With RIM recently acquiring Torch Mobile, I wonder how the upcoming BlackBerry Browser will affect the popularity of 3rd party browsers like Opera Mini, Skyfire and BOLT.

To download Opera Mini 5 Beta go to m.opera.com/next from your BlackBerry Browser or check out opera.com/next from your desktop for more info.

If you find additional features (or bugs) be sure to mention them in the comments!

After an early Alpha version of Skyfire for BlackBerry was leaked a few weeks back, Skyfire decided to suspend testing. Today BGR let us know that Skyfire has re-opened their Alpha testing and it is now version 3.5. Check out the release notes below…

What got removed in Alpha 3.5 (vs. Alpha 3.1)?

• Stream Mode: We are actively working on an alternate method to provide streaming for Blackberry that will provide better performance and reduces the number of errors during streaming. This work has not been concluded yet. In the meantime we removed the existing stream mode. Stay tuned!

What’s new in Alpha 3.5

• Inline Text Entry: You can now edit/enter form elements directly within the page, without being interrupted by a dialog box. Makes it more direct, convenient and retains the context.
• Click-to Call: The Blackberry client now will utilize tags in websites that trigger a phone call, when clicked (e.g. callto: and tel: links). You have to confirm before the call is initiated.
• Set as Default Browser: when set, links will open Skyfire
• Downloading of Files: you can now invoke the download of files to your device.
• Improved Scrolling: Further tweaking since the last Alpha.
• Reduced Checkerboard occurrences
• Alpha limit: We implemented a simple mechanism to limit the number of new users in our system. Once reached you see a message. If you encounter this and are part of this Alpha group then please contact us.

Known bugs in this Alpha

• Clear cookies: When you clear cookies in advanced settings it will not work. Will be addressed in the next release.
• Inline Text: We are seeing several issues.
• Sometimes old text is visible (Issue 331 & 409), when re-entering text box, the cursor is positioned at the beginning of the text field (Issue 333).
• Download: timeout when downloading large files (Issue 435)”

It’s taking a while for Skyfire to officially release a BlackBerry client, but so far it looks like the wait will be well worth it.

via BGR

* UPDATE Skyfire has temporarily closed the Alpha testing, rendering the leaked version useless. If anyone notices any other changes please let me know. *

My buddy Danny (aka @buzzedword) let me know that the Skyfire mobile browser for BlackBerry has been leaked!

This is an early Alpha (v1.0.0.12304) of the Skyfire browser so be prepared for some bugs and other issues. Install at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using unofficial software.

Here are some of Danny’s findings:

• its dominantly web based, the “enter url” function has autocomplete which im assuming comes from Skyfire’s servers
• you’re assigned a unique skyfire ID, and you can create an account on the skyfire homepage, presumably for bookmark and RSS sync– the homepage has a very Digg-like feel to it
• flash is supported as well as javascript, but flash functionality breaks down when you hit version 10
• it appears that the browser has its own independant audio controller because of options in the menu, but i can’t confirm volume buttons, none of my shortcut keys work
• it doesn’t work well with the storm at all but it does install
• its definitely optimized for trackball, the mouse has a kind of crosshair around it that if you click down will zoom to that portion of the page
• overall its pretty quick, they render the webpage on their servers and you download what they render

If you want to give this Alpha version of Skyfire for BlackBerry a try click here from your BlackBerry Browser to install it. Before installing the Skyfire app I highly recommend you backup your BlackBerry’s data. I’ve included some helpful guides below.

• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

The last time I mentioned BOLT Browser was back in early April. Since then it seems like Bitstream has been working hard with the release of their new BOLT Browser Beta 3, now faster with improvements on existing features.

New Bolt Browser features:

• Copy and paste text
• Enter and edit text directly within online text boxes
• Upload files such as videos to YouTube or pictures to Photobucket
• Order favorites and arrange them into custom folders
• Toggle between viewing websites with or without images displayed

Bolt Browser enhancements:

• Rendering bold, italics, superscript and other rich text styles
• Enhanced rendering of complex web pages
• Faster page rendering
• Servers upgraded to WebKit 4

Bitstream has also launched a forum where you can post questions and support issues.

BOLT and BOLT lite are available for free to anyone as part of Bitstream’s public beta test. If you already have BOLT Browser you will be prompted to update the next time you load a webpage. If you don’t have it yet visit boltbrowser.com/download to have a download link sent to your BlackBerry.

For more info check out the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

My buddy Bla1ze over at CrackBerry shared a screenshot of Skyfire Alpha 2 for BlackBerry.

Skyfire is currently in closed (private) Alpha testing. Alpha 2 was just delivered to the testers to play with and report any bugs. Bla1ze says that Skyfire is “shaping up to be a very nice browser for BlackBerry devices.”

I hope Skyfire for BlackBerry goes into public beta testing soon! Definitely something I’d like to try.

One of BGR’s ninjas was able to score him some screenshots of the Skyfire for BlackBerry browser, which is currently in closed beta.

The two main things that caught my attention so far is the flash video support and the tabs at the top of the screenshot above. Does that mean it will offer tabbed browsing!? I hope so. BG also says flash videos run great, and the ninja claims that Skyfire for BlackBerry is “already being the best BlackBerry browser ever.”

Very exciting! Check out BGR’s Skyfire for BlackBerry photo gallery for some more screenshots.

It looks like Skyfire has finally made a move on a BlackBerry version of its popular web browser, up till now only available for Windows Mobile and Symbian.

I signed up for a notice, but haven’t gotten anything yet. It looks like the Alpha testing will be by invite only for now. BGR was able to get an invite email to share with us:

Hello,
You sent us an email asking about Skyfire for the BlackBerry.  We are looking for early Alpha testers to help us develop Skyfire for BlackBerry. If you like to be the first on the block, and on the bleeding edge (bugs!), please sign up and give us a steady stream of feedback so together we can make browsing on the BlackBerry the best it can be.

To participate, you will need:

• BlackBerry Bold, Curve, Pearl or 8830  (Note: we are kick starting the alpha with the Bold)
• Live in the US
• Participate under NDA
• Post your feedback and experience in our User Forum
• Be capable and willing to install new alpha releases as we publish them

If you’d like to participate, please send an email to [redacted] and tell us

• Preferred email address
• Cellular carrier
• BlackBerry model
• BlackBerry phone number (to send you links to download)

We’ll send you the NDA and details about the program.

Thanks,
Skyfire Support

Did anyone else get an email about the Skyfire for BlackBerry Alpha testing?

Check out skyfire.com for more info about the currently available versions.

Some highlights from the press release:

• With well over 300,000 users from around the world participating in a public beta that began in February, Bitstream Inc. (NASDAQ: BITS) today announced that BOLTTM, the company’s web browser for mobile phones of all types, will get a significant upgrade today.
• People are enjoying the video streaming feature of the BOLT browser – the only mobile browser that lets people enjoy streaming videos on average mobile phones from such popular video services as YouTube, vids.myspace.com, video.yahoo.com, blip.tv, dailymotion.com, metacafe.com and more.  Of the total bandwidth used by all BOLT users surfing the Internet, nearly a third was consumed by streaming video.
• Optimized to conserve battery life and data transmissions, BOLT features unrivaled speed – consistently 25 to 50 percent faster than competitors.  The WebKit based BOLT browser offers ultra-fast viewing of streaming and flash video, high standards compliance, rich media and graphics enabling people to view websites just as they do on a PC.
• BOLT is now available for free to anyone as part of its public beta test.  Visit http://boltbrowser.com.

Read the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

By David Needle:

BlackBerry users are the majority of 150,000 downloads of the speedy alternative browser in since its beta release earlier this year.

A few years ago, the idea of downloading a third-party browser to a mobile device was something only mostly tech savvy users would even consider. Nowadays, particularly with the popularity of Apple’s App Store for the iPhone, customizing your mobile device is far more common.

Bolt is a great example of this brave new software world. Bolt is a generic mobile browser that runs on a variety of mobile devices, but Bitstream, its developer, tweaked it a bit for BlackBerry users making use of specific key functions, like T for top and B for going to the bottom of the screen.

The growing popularity of third-party applications prompted RIM itself to develop an online storefront for applications that it’s slated to rollout this month, but Bitstream isn’t waiting. It released a private beta of Bolt for BlackBerry and other mobile devices in January and opened it up to a more public beta last month.

In that time, the company said its Bolt browser has been downloaded over 150,000 times. “The response has been completely overwhelming. It shows we’re meeting a real unmet need,” Bitstream CEO Anna Chagnon told InternetNews.com.

Read more @ InternetNews.com