Thread: BlackberryOS Exclusive - "State of the Berry" - Web Browsing

Over the next few weeks preceding WES (April 27-29, 2010), BlackberryOS will delve into the "State Of The Berry". In this exclusive series, we will discuss:

• What we see is "wrong" with the BlackBerry in it's current state
• Ways to fix those issues
• What we expect to see at WES

The "State Of The Berry" series will begin this week, so be sure and follow the site and @BlackberryOS on Twitter. Feel free to join in on the discussion each week! It's sure to be a very entertaining ride.

This weeks session? With all of the “hoopla” surrounding newer devices and mobile OS’s and their ability to surf the web, I felt it appropriate to start this series with one topic in mind: Web Browsing.

It’s no mystery the current BlackBerry browser leaves a lot to be desired. It’s main issue? Speed, speed, and oh, speed. Competing (and I use the word VERY loosely) OS’s (Android, iPhone) render web pages much faster and are quite capable of doing so without the aid of a “mobile” site. Most of you know a mobile site is simply a scaled down version of the main page without all the bells and whistles (and usually images). The Droid Eris for example can not only view full HTML web pages, but it views them very quickly and can even render flash in-line.

So, if “Droid Does”, does that mean “BlackBerry Doesn’t”? Well, no. Not exactly. While the native BlackBerry browser pales in comparison to other devices, there are several alternatives available.

The first, Opera Mini, is quite capable of competing with any mobile browser on the market. It will even render most full HTML sites. The newest version offers:

• Tabbed Browsing
• Speed Dial
• Opera Link
• Download Manager

Opera Mini is available for download by pointing your BlackBerry to the Opera website. The newest beta version (Opera Mini 5 beta) is also available for download.

A second, often overlooked alternative, is Bolt.

Bolt provides BlackBerry owners with a rich web experience in a compact browser. Bolt will also deliver streaming video from sites like YouTube, MySpace and Google. There is even an option to tweet directly Bolt while you browse the web.

Finally, what would this article be without discussing the potential of the BlackBerry WebKit browser? Not much, we know. The rumored/expected Webkit browser is expected to bring iPhone like web browsing to the BlackBerry platform. Streaming video, embedded flash, and much more are potentially waiting for us in the next few months. The new browser is expected to bring us full HTML5, CSS3, and DOM L3 capabilities, in addition to Javascript and AJAX support. WOW!

So, how do you feel about the present State of the BlackBerry browser? Are you anxious for the future? We sure are! So, come in, sit down...relax. Let's hear all about it!

So? For me, it's all about buying a RIM product, not a fast browser. I am going for the brand, not the fancy stuff.

Old fashioned? Nah, not really. Maybe Droid Does right now, but I am sure, BB will DO so as well soon - and BB has so much more to offer, that I can wait.

I like the RIM experience and wish the browser was as good as it could be.
Its not but I dont like Bolt and Opera was a pain for me.
Im waiting with bated breath for the new RIM browser and hope it can take on and better the IPhone and others on the market.

I forgot to say that a hybrid does have the ability to speed up the browser too :-)

I've tried Bolt and Opera, they were ok usually. I'm running 484 on my Tour and the BB Browser seems a little snappier than before. Bolt and Opera require a few more button pushes, so I'll stick with the native browser for now, but if RIM wants to make me really smile they could release the new version today! :1244:

I know I cannot wait for the next generation native BB browser. I use the current one for most things. But anything that requires viewing a media heavy page I go with Bolt. I would like to see the new BB browser incorporate features from both Bolt and zopera as well as all the other features it is rumored/ hoped to have. I know that if the browser stays the way it is for too much longer I would seriously have to start considering other platforms. And it pains me to day that because I am a full fledged BB addict!
Posted via mobile device

Originally Posted by bbprintz215

I know I cannot wait for the next generation native BB browser. I use the current one for most things. But anything that requires viewing a media heavy page I go with Bolt. I would like to see the new BB browser incorporate features from both Bolt and zopera as well as all the other features it is rumored/ hoped to have. I know that if the browser stays the way it is for too much longer I would seriously have to start considering other platforms. And it pains me to day that because I am a full fledged BB addict!
Posted via mobile device

I fully agree, without some needed improvements, especially with the browsing when my contract is up I will be taking a long look at the android devices out there. It too pains me because I'm very attached to my berry but I do have hopes that RIM will come through with something special soon.

Originally Posted by Rellims

I fully agree, without some needed improvements, especially with the browsing when my contract is up I will be taking a long look at the android devices out there. It too pains me because I'm very attached to my berry but I do have hopes that RIM will come through with something special soon.

I wont be leaving BB for anything no matter what.. does it piss me off? yes, will i leave no... here is an interesting story for you all... my wife, as many of you know, has an 8330 curve on vzw.. we use BBM instead of text, but alone she barely browses the web, does little email. Facebook sometimes.. she downloads a few things and themes, but she loves this phone... enough that I bough her an Eris (used from my company but like new for 208 ) and told her she could activate it if she wanted or just use it like an ipod touch through wifi(yes there is a way to get past the locked screen even if not activated). she played with it just on wifi for a few days.. and says to me... I could never use this as a phone.. its ridiculous to have all this on a phone. her biggest problem is the fact that it is so confusing.. nothing is as easy as clicking on an icon she says... so its her ipod touch, lol but she loves that damn curve.... So long story short, my wife wants my storm 2 and i want whatever is next for the storm.