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View Full Version : Web browsing news: new version of Opera Mobile and NetFront out with major bugfixes / upgrades!


Menneisyys
06-06-2007, 12:14 PM
Anyone having read my well-known Windows Mobile Web Browser Bible (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1828&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) know NetFront and Opera Mobile are leading Web browsers on Windows Mobile. Betas / Technical Previews of forthcoming versions (3.4 for NetFront and 8.65 for Opera Mobile) have been constantly released; the last ones, of both browsers, recently. In this article, I elaborate on these brand new versions.

NetFront 3.4 Technical Previews 007

NetFront, while not really having gained new features (except for support for Flash), has been enhanced: now, the current, free (!) Technical Preview isn’t less usable than the commercial version (except for some, for most of the users, not THAT important, really advanced plug-ins like the Java Virtual Machine). This means you can have a fully-fledged Web browser without having to shell out any money – as is exactly the case with the new Opera Mobile, to be discussed below – till 08/31/2007 (it only expires then).

http://www.winmobiletech.com/032007WebBrowsers/NF34007-5tabs.jpg

Getting and installing

Download the CAB file HERE (https://www.access.co.jp/english/nfppc/send.php?type=3) (the main TP page is HERE (http://www.access-company.com/products/netfrontmobile/browser/34_wm_tp.html)).

Pros
No longer requires a lengthy initial setup (involving even a soft reset) phase at the first start or when you switch to proportional fonts
You’re no longer restricted to 10 bookmarks (http://www.winmobiletech.com/032007WebBrowsers/NF34007AllFavorites.jpg) (favorites) in the TP version
It no longer restricts the number of the tabs to be opened to two either
The TP version too supports Flash (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006FlashPlayers.asp) as can be seen in for example HERE (http://www.winmobiletech.com/032007WebBrowsers/NF34TP007Bomberman.jpg) (showing Bomberman (http://www.cyberiapc.com/flashgames/bomberman.htm)). It’s even capable of playing YouTube videos as can be seen in HERE (http://www.winmobiletech.com/032007WebBrowsers/NF34TPYoutube.jpg). Unfortunately, its YouTube playback is WAY slower (that is, pretty useless) than that of Opera Mobile or, for that matter, the latest TCPMP Flash plug-in (of which I’ll soon publish an article), therefore, should be avoided. If you DO want to enable it, go to Menu / Tools / Browser Settings / External Tools / Plug-in and enable the given checkbox as can be seen in HERE (http://www.winmobiletech.com/032007WebBrowsers/NF34007EnableFlash.jpg).Cons
Unfortunately, when you open a link in a new tab, the current settings (for example, rendering / one-column / image display mode) aren’t inherited, as opposed to ALL the other (decent) multitab-enabled browsers on both the desktop Windows and Windows Mobile. Sure, you can quickly apply pre-defined profiles at Menu / View Profile, but it’ll take a LOT of time to re-render the pages. Inheriting view settings would have been the best way to go.
The 5-tab restriction is still here (http://www.winmobiletech.com/032007WebBrowsers/NF34007FiveTabsMax.jpg) (you can’t open more than five tabs at a time)
The Flash plug-in is as bad (CPU usage-wise) as was in version 3.3 (you will want to keep it deactivated in order to avoid your handheld to really slow down)
No MS Smartphone (WM6 Standard)-compliance: while the CAB installer can be installed on a WM5+ Smartphone, the main GUI isn’t displayed when you start the browser. (tested on the HTC Vox/s710 in both orientations)
Not compliant with WM operating systems prior to WM5
You must still manually switch to proportional fonts in Menu / Tools / Browser Settings / General / Font / Use proportional font (don’t forget to do this!)

Opera Mobile 8.65 beta 2

In my opinion, the best Windows Mobile Web browser, particularly on the Smartphone, is Opera Mobile. The new beta has recently been released and is available HERE (http://www.opera.com/products/mobile/products/) for free (!), unrestricted (!) download. The major update is it no longer having driver memory problems (see my previous reviews of these problems) and is, therefore, a must install. To my knowledge, there aren’t other new features.

The trial expires on 10/01/2007 – that is, you can surf the Net for free until then. I, however, recommend going and buying a license – Opera certainly deserves the support, not only because Opera Mobile, but also their top-notch desktop Opera browser and Opera Mini.

The Smartphone (Windows Mobile Standard) version of Opera Mobile is a REAL must – way better than anything else. I’ll publish a big upgrade of the Windows Mobile Web Browser Bible (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1828&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1), concerning Web browsing on the Smartphone, in the near future.