RIM’s BlackBerry phones are wonderful for email and messaging, but the stock browser on all BlackBerries sucks. Third-party offerings like Bolt and Opera Mini are better, but still not as good as WebKit-based browsers found on Android, iPhone, and WebOS models. Today at Mobile World Congress RIM showed that it is working hard to replace its crappy browser with one that’s actually good. According to Engadget Mobile:
The early build shown off on-screen looks pretty solid, rendering Amazon.com quickly and scoring a full 100/100 on the Acid3 test.
The browser is WebKit based and a result of RIM’s acquisition of Torch Mobile. I’ve pretty much written off BlackBerry OS, but this browser is giving me second thoughts. Hopefully it arrives faster than RIM’s software updates.
Any BB users out there psyched for this browser?
It'll be nice to have a better browser. Generally if I need a web page to look and function properly I have to open up my Bolt browser. I don't mind doing a search in the default browser but for anything that has to load a big page I'll just wait until I get near a real PC.
I was impressed with the speed everything loaded, but not nearly so impressed when I saw it was with WiFi on. But it still looks snappier than the original and the fact that the fly-out menus work is excellent.
@Slicky
I think BB will be at a disadvantage for web viewing as long as they don't incorporate touch or have something better than a little ball to use. This browser is a good improvement though.
@Smartguy RIM has dropped trackballs in favor of touchpads.
@Ray
You are talking about the 9700 models? I saw that. I think it needs to be a bit bigger or they need to incorporate, and i hate to say it, but some Safari esque elements to be a great browser.
Honestly the only reason I bought an Iphone over the Bold was because ATT raised the price on data to $30 per month and it was mandatory. I went with the device that offered the better internet browsing experience.
@Smartguy It's also used on lower-end models like the 8500 series. It's the standard going forward, aside from RIM's touchscreen models.
While shopping for Verizon phones for my girlfriend over the weekend our two only real options there were the Nexus One and one of the new blackberries. I didn't care for the ball replacement solution they've come up with and she didn't care for the browser, good to see it's improved.
The nexus one was her favorite at the verizon store because it had a real keyboard and touch screen. but once I compared it to my iphone next to each other the 5mp camera was worse, the browser was slow and choppy once pages loaded, and the touch screen wasn't quite up to snuff. even though she doesn't like AT&T she did decide to go with the iPhone.
I couldn't figure the new sensor on the BBs out. I do think the ball was really bad but I had a harder time navigating the menu with it than my girlfriend did. she didn't mind the blackberry navigation but the browser was bad and she didn't like the small screen
@Shockwave
The CDMA Nexus One has a keyboard?? Or were you guys looking at an HTC Eris?
@Smartguy – hmm, it was a Motorolla… let me look it up
@Smartguy I think he's talking about the Motorola Droid if he's referring to a keyboard.
sorry for the confusion, motorolla droid. not google's nexus one. that was the one I compared it to online but of course she wouldn't have bought a phone she couldn't play with
@Ray
I assumed it wasn't a Droid since I think the Droid works just as well if not better than the Iphone. I assumed they meant Eris.
Also, do you know anything about only being able to put 2gig of apps on an N900 eventhough you have 32gig available?
@smartguy – it was the Motorola Droid. software was ok. makes sense why the Nexus one might be a better solution due to its power. still not sold on the os myself
@Smartguy I'm not aware of the issue you're referring to. Is that true?
@Ray
Here is a link, look at the cons on the first review. I think I have seen this mentioned elsewhere. I need to go to Nokia's site and read up on it again probably.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N…
@Ray
I had planned on running Open Office on the device amongst other apps. I know that things like movies, pics, music, etc are considered "my files" and will be handled by the built in apps from Nokia. Just seemed odd to limit your app space though. I'm kind of wondering if this is a strict partition Nokia implemented because of their Ovi store? Hmm. Still doesn't deter me honestly. Some quirky things like the email client and a good IM client are still needed as well as syncing with my Mac. Might wait til March for this. I saw some forums mumbling about a firmware updated releasing then as well as the device being available in tmobile stores. We'll see.
@Smartguy Your reasoning is probably correct. Piracy concerns are why most Android phones have app storage limits. I'm sure it's the same deal for Nokia and Ovi.
@Ray
I had no idea there were limits on the android devices as far as app storage limits. I'm willing to bet there are ways around it though. The N900 has the Linux community in euphoria, so I'm sure I can find some code or an exploit with my good friend Google.
thanks Rpad, that’s correct
@Smartguy That’s interesting and strange, though to be fair it would take a lot of work to fill up 2GB with mobile apps. Considering that many smartphones have app storage limitations measured in MB, I’m fine with a 2GB limit.