After an anxious wait it looks like Skyfire is finally out for the iPad. Just like the iPhone version of Skyfire that released in early November, iPad users can tap into the millions of flash videos available online through a clever conversion process conducted on Skyfire's servers. In addition to the regular flash-enabling features Skyfire brings to the table, the developers have packed in a ton of great social functionality for you to play with.
You can do things like check your Facebook or Twitter news feeds from the bottom toolbar, along with sharing links to a number of social services and others like Read It Later. They've also decided to include a universal 'like' button for users who want to share what they're reading (or watching) with friends on Facebook.
But they didn't stop there. Skyfire for iPad has a 'Fireplace' button along the bottom which lets you quickly get to the links that only your Facebook friends have shared, making it easy to check out what your friends have been looking at online without even leaving the app. Two more small yet significant features are the ability to browse in full-screen, and Skyfire's tab UI which felt very snappy compared to Safari.
You can get a full feature-list and pictures after the break, and don't forget to tell us your likes and dislikes for Skyfire on the iPad in the comments below!
[iTunes -- $4.99]
- Play millions of Flash videos – everyday, with no limits!
- All-new ‘Skybar’ toolbar gives one-click access to video and related content
- Stay in touch: Unique Facebook and Twitter 'Quickview' allows you to see your wall and feeds with one click.
- Universal ‘Like’: Like ANY page on the internet, with one click.
- Fireplace: See only the links shared by Friends. Why? Filter what friends did from what friends shared (which is a great starting point for browsing)
- Popular: See what Friends and the Facebook community have to say about the site you are currently exploring
- Be informed: Quick access to GReader feeds
- Be social: Share via Facebook and Twitter
- Share to more services including GReader, Instapaper, Pinboard and Read It Later
- Standard browser elements: Tabs, search, sharing, bookmarks, history, etc.
- Full screen option for maximum use of screen real-estate – with scroll to top
- ‘Desktop’ option loads pages as on a desktop browser, giving more flexibility in accessing web sites
- Private Browsing option: Browse with no history and cookies left behind
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Reader comments
Skyfire Web Browser brings flash and social browsing to iPad
Downloaded immediately and loving it so far. The social media integration is most welcome, as I can just click on the facebook icon to see what horrible things my friends are up to. Flash video playback is very snappy. Best fibux I have spent on iPad apps.
Too much black border. Feel like I wasted $5
Does it work with hulu or nflnetwork?? That's all I want to know. I feel like I wasted my money on the iPhone version.
Too much black border? Hi the fullscreen button for no border at all. The black order is perfect for the iPad. Blends right into the bezel.
Like the look so far, but where is the "tabbed browsing" in the iPad version (4th to last bullet point in the features list). I can't find it, and what little "help" is provided mentions nothing about it. Tabbed browsing is why I bought it, so either they need to provide some info on how to enable it or take it off the features list.
Skydive is a disaster for the IPhone. I tried to stream Belichicks post game press conference, from the Pats website, after my Pats beat Green Bay and it wouldn't recognize the flash video. What a waste of money.
I meant skyfire.
@Omarlittle,
Skyfire is a completely different animal on the ipad. On the ipad version, you have to go to the actiual page that the video is on then press the Video button on the bottom menu bar. Firefox will then analyze the page (which takes some time) and then allow u to play the vid when it is ready. I was able to play several vids on the NY Giants web site, so the vids are most likely posted in the same way.
I am surprised that this is not a universal binary but it is what it is. The iPad version is a significant upgrade in terms of function over the iPhone version.
@JNGold, unfortunately, Skyfire is spyware, bloated, slow and crappy. Videos don't work on most sites, and the company consists of a bunch of liars.
Stay well clear, or you will be ripped off.
@Spyfire,
I have lots of experience with Skyfire ranging back to my Windows Mobile days and for the most part I agree. However, the ipad version has been greatly improved. This is not your fathers Skyfire.
--Sent from my IPad using Skyfire
No, this is not your father's Skyfire. This (iPad) Skyfire takes bloat, lag and clutter to the next level.
@Spyfire,
Not that much different from iCab Mobile, Atomic, Perfect Browser, and even Safari on the iPad (which I own each). So what you are referring to as clutter doesn't make sense. Lag? It doesn't seem any less laggy than the other browsers.
So I gather you have purchased it?
Uh, look at the UI. It's ugly and cluttered.
Look at the lack of performance. It lags compared to Safari.
Look at the spying. Oh, wait, they don't tell people that they are spying on them...
You didn't answer the question. Did you purchase it?
Nice attempt at changing the topic, Spyfire shill.
Not changing the topic. In order to judge the performance of the software you need to use it yourself. Your comments regarding bloating and laggy performance are therefor useless and irrelevant. Having ACTUALLY used the Skyfire app on the iPad incan say the performance is ON PAR with Safari, ICab mobile, etc.
As for Spying, I am well aware of the fact theta skyfire uses proxy servers to render pages. I don't give a rats azz about it. I dont use skyfire for logging into financial sites and such. I don't give a rats azz if they "know " I go to tipb , engadget, or shop at Ralph Lauren, etc.
And btw, have you ever performed a Google search? You don't think for one second google has just as much info about you as Skyfire does? If you don't believe that , you are a bigger fool than you have already shown yourself to be.
Do me a the rest of the net a favor, before you comment about something, why don't you try it yourself?
Shill? Looks who's talking.
Dear Spyfire, shill (JNGold):
Obviously someone who speaks about the performance of an application has actually tried it. You are just pathetically trying to change the subject to get away from the fact that Skyfire is slow, bloated, cluttered and laggy.
You are kidding? No one can be THAT ignorant. Although I am seeing
more of your kind here lately.
Sad. Really.
Skyfire is indeed bloated and slow :-(
Does this enable Flash-based web apps or features other than video playback?
All Skyfire does is to transcode some Flash video. It doesn't support Flash applications or most Flash videos (Skyfire needs specific support for a site to transcode videos from that site).
Add to this the fact that Skyfire is very slow and lags a lot, and the user interface is ugly and bloated, and you might as well stick with Safari, since most video sites that matter serve HTML5 video anyay.
I Wanna Win :(