Menneisyys
02-05-2007, 12:58 PM
It was just a few days ago (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1619&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) that Access released the first Technical Preview (TP) of their forthcoming, 3.4 NetFront version. As, based on the expiration date of that version, was easy to predict, the new TP version of NetFront has just been released.
http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34-004-Main.bmp.png
Availability
It’s available for direct download here (http://www.access-company.com/products/netfrontmobile/browser/34_wm_tp.html). Note that there is only a WM5 version – that is, if you “only” have a WM2003(SE) device, you won’t be interested in downloading the new version.
Changes from the previous version
There are some minor (in no way so big as with the 3.3 -> first 3.4 TP version jump) changes, compared to the previous TP version:
Displays a thumbnail of content at PagePilot. I, personally, couldn’t really find out what this means – the previous TP version worked exactly the same way as this one as can also be seen in here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004PagePilotMode.bmp.png).
Changed layout in the browser settings dialogs. Indeed true: the setup dialogs have been completely redesigned as can be seen for example here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34-004-MenuMain.bmp.png).
Made options on repeating Cursor key action (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004KeyRepeat.bmp.png):
1. None (Regular action)
2. Page Jump (Page up down)
3. PagePilot
4. Mini Map (Locates a thumbnail at upper-right)
Reduction of memory consumption
Display Profiles (1 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile.bmp.png) 2 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile2.bmp.png) 3 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile3.bmp.png) 4 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile4.bmp.png)). This is very useful functionality: here, with just three clicks, you can dynamically switch between your current page/content rendering, zoom, animation/image etc. settings, instead of setting these parameters one by one. Congratulations Access!
Change how to draw check box and radio button
Verdict
All in all, while the engine definitely isn’t flawless and the trial restrictions are pretty severe, you may really want to give this app a try – it’s, in most respects, really superior to the last commercial version, 3.3.
Again, don’t forget, however, that’s it’s a severely restricted TP version and there is NO commercial version of 3.4 as yet. Also, knowing how slow Access is to release new browser versions, the new version is highly unlikely to be released in the next few months. That is, if you need a decent, quick Web browser NOW without any restrictions (and your Pocket PC isn’t a Dell Axim x50(v) running WM2003SE), look at Opera Mobile 8.6 first - I don't recommend the commercial version of NetFront 3.3 any more as you will most likely end up having to pay the full price for 3.4 when it's out.
Recommended links
The review of the first NF 3.4 TP version (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1619&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) - it contains the bulk of the review / benchmarks of the previous TP version. Please make sure you check it out to know how it compares to the 3.3 series.
http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34-004-Main.bmp.png
Availability
It’s available for direct download here (http://www.access-company.com/products/netfrontmobile/browser/34_wm_tp.html). Note that there is only a WM5 version – that is, if you “only” have a WM2003(SE) device, you won’t be interested in downloading the new version.
Changes from the previous version
There are some minor (in no way so big as with the 3.3 -> first 3.4 TP version jump) changes, compared to the previous TP version:
Displays a thumbnail of content at PagePilot. I, personally, couldn’t really find out what this means – the previous TP version worked exactly the same way as this one as can also be seen in here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004PagePilotMode.bmp.png).
Changed layout in the browser settings dialogs. Indeed true: the setup dialogs have been completely redesigned as can be seen for example here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34-004-MenuMain.bmp.png).
Made options on repeating Cursor key action (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004KeyRepeat.bmp.png):
1. None (Regular action)
2. Page Jump (Page up down)
3. PagePilot
4. Mini Map (Locates a thumbnail at upper-right)
Reduction of memory consumption
Display Profiles (1 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile.bmp.png) 2 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile2.bmp.png) 3 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile3.bmp.png) 4 (http://www.winmobiletech.com/022007NFTP004/NF34004ViewProfile4.bmp.png)). This is very useful functionality: here, with just three clicks, you can dynamically switch between your current page/content rendering, zoom, animation/image etc. settings, instead of setting these parameters one by one. Congratulations Access!
Change how to draw check box and radio button
Verdict
All in all, while the engine definitely isn’t flawless and the trial restrictions are pretty severe, you may really want to give this app a try – it’s, in most respects, really superior to the last commercial version, 3.3.
Again, don’t forget, however, that’s it’s a severely restricted TP version and there is NO commercial version of 3.4 as yet. Also, knowing how slow Access is to release new browser versions, the new version is highly unlikely to be released in the next few months. That is, if you need a decent, quick Web browser NOW without any restrictions (and your Pocket PC isn’t a Dell Axim x50(v) running WM2003SE), look at Opera Mobile 8.6 first - I don't recommend the commercial version of NetFront 3.3 any more as you will most likely end up having to pay the full price for 3.4 when it's out.
Recommended links
The review of the first NF 3.4 TP version (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1619&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) - it contains the bulk of the review / benchmarks of the previous TP version. Please make sure you check it out to know how it compares to the 3.3 series.