iPhone-Like Web Browser

[Rambler]

Did anyone post a link to a PocketPC version of Piscal browser? I'd like to give that a shot if possible.

[Billbeme]

I use opera and really love it. It makes me think to FireFox

N1c0_ds, you answered what I was about to ask of the three most participating individuals in this tread other than myself: "Dennis, G, Adama, what browser do you guys opt for personally?"

n1c0_ds,
would you be willing to give me a really good over view of your impresions of Opera Mobile. What you use it on (Device and OS), how it compares to Safari (if you have had the opportunity to play with an iPhone) what features you enjoy (zooming, tab browsing) where you acquired it, what version it is, if it was worth the money, etc.? I would be really interested to hear your opinions.

Did anyone post a link to a PocketPC version of Piscal browser? I'd like to give that a shot if possible

The website www.xda-developers.com is the best place to go for all things Pocket PC hacks. They are very knowledgable. You will have to search, and be a member before being able to search, but the membership is well worth the time it takes (all of three seconds). However, I searched and found many discussions with disabled threads to PB files. I wish you luck!

-B

[Rambler]

I downloaded the trial of the latest Opera browser. It states that there's a selective zoom feature, but I can't find it. Is this supposed to work like the iPhone browser, where you can selectively zoom on a specific portion of the page? If so, can someone tell me how this is done in Opera?

And does the Piscal browser support this type of selective zooming?

[Adama D. Brown]

I downloaded the trial of the latest Opera browser. It states that there's a selective zoom feature, but I can't find it. Is this supposed to work like the iPhone browser, where you can selectively zoom on a specific portion of the page? If so, can someone tell me how this is done in Opera?

It doesn't allow you to draw a zoom box, if that's what you're thinking--you need to pan or drag the screen to the area you want to look at. The zoom controls can be accessed from Menu > Display > Zoom.

[Billbeme]

It doesn't allow you to draw a zoom box, if that's what you're thinking--you need to pan or drag the screen to the area you want to look at. The zoom controls can be accessed from Menu > Display > Zoom.

Argh! That seems REALLY tedious. No nice/clean double tap or anything of the sort? Sigh!

And does the Piscal browser support this type of selective zooming?

That's a good question! Does anyone have the answer to it?

Also, Adama what browser do you opt for?

-B

[Adama D. Brown]

Argh! That seems REALLY tedious. No nice/clean double tap or anything of the sort? Sigh!

The zooming isn't really designed for that usage, so it's not as easy to control as it is on the iPhone or the like.

Also, Adama what browser do you opt for?

Mostly Opera Mobile and Opera Mini. The latter is very simplified, but I like it for the way it strips down pages to their essentials, and its speed. I use Opera Mobile for more complex needs. Personally, I prefer having a browser that fits the page to my screen. I used a zoom-style browser for a little while on the Nokia E62. It was certainly cool, but after awhile the annoyance of having to pan literally everywhere, or keep zooming in and out, became frustrating.

[Genjinaro]

Yeah, trust me, you will hate zooming in & out like the iSafari browser everytime.

Opera has a perfect rendering of the web display. I find its zoom feature unnecessary given how well it is at default view.

IMHO Picsel's zooming (in/out) is better than iSafari. I think Apple took their general concept IMHO, I can't back this but anyone who uses it can tell the similarities.

[Billbeme]

The zooming isn't really designed for that usage, so it's not as easy to control as it is on the iPhone or the like.

I think I am understanding something. The zoom features on OM are not intended for frequent use. They are meant for sporadic zooming onto particular items opposed to the constant zooming of the iPhone.

Yeah, trust me, you will hate zooming in & out like the iSafari browser everytime.

I used a zoom-style browser for a little while on the Nokia E62. It was certainly cool, but after awhile the annoyance of having to pan literally everywhere, or keep zooming in and out, became frustrating.

Considering that both of you commented on the tediousness of zoom browsing, it must clearly be an annoyance. I can see where constant in and out might get old, but what is sacrificed by having a page cropped?

To what degree is a page cropped, and what happens if you want it loaded in a desktop like view. I suppose your only option is to zoom permanently and scroll or go in and out like the iPhone, which you both concluded was an annoyance.

What is the solution for someone that wants a desktop view?

Perhaps this is the answer:

Opera has a perfect rendering of the web display. I find its zoom feature unnecessary given how well it is at default view.

Again, for both of you to have chosen OM and commented on its wonderful compromise, perhaps the solution is apparent.

The latter is very simplified, but I like it for the way it strips down pages to their essentials, and its speed.

A few questions in regards to this quote:

1. Can you run both Opera Mobile and Opera Mini on a smartphone or do you run Opera Mini on a regular phone?
2. What is the benefit of Opera's cropping, and how much do they remove?
3. Is it possible to see a webshot of a familiar website (like brighthand) so that I may get an idea of what is removed?

I have loaded brighthand on Pocket IE and was really surprised and how it mangled, absolutely mangled everything. I don't imagine, if both of you are so heavily suggesting it, that this is the case, but I was wondering if you could comment on the issue.

IMHO Picsel's zooming (in/out) is better than iSafari. I think Apple took their general concept IMHO, I can't back this but anyone who uses it can tell the similarities.

I would be very interested to see if this was the case!

So, PB is the zoom browser if that is what one desires. Opera Mobile is the cropped browser, that give just the "brass tax" and apparently results in a great User Experience?

I use Opera Mobile for more complex needs. Personally, I prefer having a browser that fits the page to my screen.

Opera has a perfect rendering of the web display. I find its zoom feature unnecessary given how well it is at default view.

With such elaboration on OM and it's user experience I think, yet again it will be my pick. Just as long as it doesn't remove a great deal of material.

Thanks for all the help guys, and I very much look forward to your responses to the aforementioned questions regarding the afore-aforementioned material. HA!

-Bill

[Rambler]

So, PB is the zoom browser if that is what one desires. Opera Mobile is the cropped browser, that give just the "brass tax" and apparently results in a great User Experience?

Sent you a PM.

[Genjinaro]

A few questions in regards to this quote:

1. Can you run both Opera Mobile and Opera Mini on a smartphone or do you run Opera Mini on a regular phone?
2. What is the benefit of Opera's cropping, and how much do they remove?
3. Is it possible to see a webshot of a familiar website (like brighthand) so that I may get an idea of what is removed?

I have loaded brighthand on Pocket IE and was really surprised and how it mangled, absolutely mangled everything. I don't imagine, if both of you are so heavily suggesting it, that this is the case, but I was wondering if you could comment on the issue.

-Bill

1. Yes, though only a useful combo for Smartphone types that lack a touch screen.
2. None really, only Huge Flash pages AOL & Yahoo's main page are affected. All other countless/billions of sites are not cut or cropped.
BUT: you must set Opera to "identify as Desktop" though NOT "Desktop View", many people confuse the two and kill the 30day exprience for themeselves without knowing this.

Note: Keep in mind it will only crop pages for mobile, if set as, "identify as Handheld".


3. I'll have to get to that once I get my X51v online.

Oh and Opera will not commit a crime as horrendus as PIE, ever not even remotely.
As I said earlier, it displays just like the desktop. There are very few exceptions as to when it'll display otherwise.