UPDATE: “This is John Sidline of the Bitstream PR team. I want to thank the readers of BerryReview.com for their enthusiastic response to the BOLT browser. We quadrupled the number of available referral codes already, and will extend it even further. But I also need to let readers know the status of the private beta program now underway. We completely underestimated the response we’d get to the beta. Initially we had a manual process in place to distribute download links. But we were quickly overwhelmed by requests for BOLT so we switched to an automated process at about 9:00 AM Eastern today. Sometime after noon Eastern today, the server handling the downloads “blew up.” We are now in the process of switching over to a dedicated server we’re confident can handle the demand. We appreciate everyone’s patience. We expect the new server to be online by 4:00 PM Eastern today. Also, to those who have already downloaded BOLT, a big thank you. From feedback we’ve received just since yesterday we’ve already made improvements to BOLT, and our beta is only about 24 hours old.”
How many of you are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Foxfire’s mobile web browser? Or waiting for a new Opera Mini build? How many of you would love to have a web browser like that of iPhone’s Safari which gives you the ability to view web pages they way they are supposed to be viewed and even watch YouTube videos without the browser having to rebuff and chopping it up.
Bitstream (who is responsible for the fonts on our BlackBerrys) has come up with a new mobile web browser that will completely blow away Opera Mini and the native BlackBerry browser. It’s called BOLT.
From the Boltbrowser.com website: “What is BOLT?
BOLT is a free mobile browser that offers an uncompromising browsing experience on even entry-level mobile phones. It is compatible with virtually any handset with Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) 2.0 support. In non-geekspeak, this means “it works on lots of phones, even basic ones.”
Rather than offering a simplified, mini version of the Internet, BOLT provides users with an efficient, feature-rich, way to enjoy full PC-style Web pages and rich media applications on all levels of mobile devices.
Built on Bitstream’s ThunderHawk browsing technology, BOLT is the result of 5+ years of experience developing mobile browsers that optimize usability, speed and performance on resource-contraned systems with limited memory, processing power and screen space”
When asked if BOLT is compatible with the native BlackBerry browser, Bitstream answers with a funny quip: Yes. BOLT uses a unique profile and does not interfere with your device’s default browser in any way. However, it may bruise your default browser’s ego. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Oh, and have I mentioned that BOLT is FREE!?!?! Which makes it all the more awesome!
Here are the numbers based on an independent test, its just number as of now, folks, but the figures are outstanding. Here are some download times for ESPN and CNN with BOLT, Opera Mini and the BlackBerry Browser (all times are in seconds):
ESPN.com
BOLT – 13.363 (mean); 12.925 (median)
Opera Mini 4.2 – 20.723 (mean); 20.920 (median)
Native – 454.790 (mean); 454.110 (median)
CNN.com
BOLT – 11.823 (mean); 11.405 (median)
Opera Mini 4.2 – 21.447 (mean); 20.915 (median)
Native – 133.64 (mean); 132.47 (median)
You can check out their FAQs here.
Bitstream has offered 500 of our readers the ability to be a part of their beta testing. Simply follow this link and fill out the form. Be sure to use referral code “berryreview“. If selected, they will create a unique download link for you to test out BOLT.
If you are chosen, please come back and leave us some comments on your feelings for BOLT. Love it, hate it, neutral? We’d love to hear from you!
bramvera ( View Profile) - Posts: