Mobile Browsers: Opera (on Nokia Communicator) v. Magpie on SE P800
Also: Jørgen Sundgot of InfoSync describes Magpie here:
infosync.no
"I am using Opera on the Nokia 9290, and I can pretty much get to any site I need to access. Opera has solved the mobile Internet problem, so everyone just needs to sign up. Opera does circles around Pocket Internet Explorer"
>> Details On Sony Ericsson P800 Web Browser
Thomas
GEEK.com
Oct 22 2002
As the clock ticks down (again) to the release of the Sony Ericsson P800 smartphone, more details emerge concerning its Web browsing software. The P800 is the new Symbian Magpie OS smartphone, running on sleek, innovative hardware.
The browser included is HTML 3.2-, WML 1.2.1-, xHTML-, BasicxHTML-, cHTML-, and WAP 2.0-compliant. It handles WCSS style sheets; WBMP, GIF, and JPEG images; WTLS and x509 certificates; bookmarks and bookmark exchange via IrDA, Bluetooth, SMS, MMS, and e-mail; and up to 120 KB cache (user-configurable down to 15, with a default of 30).
Unfortunately, the browser does not support frames or JavaScript. Not impressed? Neither am I. I'm sorry, if you don't support JavaScript and frames you don't support the Internet.
One of the most important things I do with the Internet is log into my bank account to lament not keeping my check register up-to-date. Most "just-for-fun" sites these days use JavaScript and frames, for cryin' out loud. My first Web page--the pointless personal waste of space so many of us threw together, complete with links to various "interesting" Web destinations and your fair share of animated GIFs--had JavaScript and frames!
Here's the bottom line, if you ask me: Opera exists. I am using Opera on the Nokia 9290, and I can pretty much get to any site I need to access. Opera has solved the mobile Internet problem, so everyone just needs to sign up. Opera does circles around Pocket Internet Explorer, so why does Symbian continue even building its own Web browsers? Why on Earth doesn't Sony Ericsson license Opera and ask Symbian to replace its pathetic browser with it on default install? I'd like to see it running on all Pocket PCs, Palms, and Symbian devices as soon as possible--Sharp Zaurus users are already blessed.
Anyway, check out all the stats and see a few pics of the Magpie browser as WirelessSoftware.info reports: "Sneak preview: web/WAP browser in Sony Ericsson P800."
Joel's Note: Thomas brings up an interesting point about Opera's browser. When Psion first shipped a number of its devices, it had its own home grown Web browser. Shortly after, though, the company started making Opera available for free to Psion users. The company basically realized that it made more sense to partner with Opera (which had done it right!) than to continue its own development efforts. <<
- Eric - |
