Skyfire browser for iPad goes live, lets you finally watch Flash videos

by Vlad Bobleanta on December 23, 2010 at 12:30 PM

Skyfire, the alternative browser that uses some server-based trickery to make Flash videos playable on the iPhone, has just gone live for iPad. The new version tailored for the iPad comes with one touch access to your Facebook news feed, profile, friends, inbox, events and places. This is all made possible by what Skyfire calls Facebook QuickView, which is basically a button on the lower-side toolbar that gives you quick access to the aforementioned items. Similarly, there's a QuickView for Twitter. Your Google Reader feeds are also just one tap away. Skyfire doesn't incorporate a feed reader, rather it has a dedicated button that will launch the mobile version of Google Reader (and, for one extra tap -- Gmail, Google Buzz, Calendar or Docs) at any time in an overlay.

The Fireplace Feed Reader will, if tapped, display a filtered list of your Facebook feed that only includes links to Web pages, images, and videos posted by your friends. The Popular button on the SkyBar (the lower-side toolbar) will show you what content from the site you're currently on is popular among (all) Facebook users. And the Facebook Like button lets you instantly 'like' any Web page with just one tap. You can also share the page you're on with Google Reader, Facebook, Twitter, Delicious, Read It Later, Instapaper and Pinboard.

Additionally, Skyfire for iPad has support for full-screen browsing, user agent switching, and private browsing. A demo video of the app is available after the break.

Skyfire for iPad costs $4.99. Download it from the iTunes App Store

Tags: apps, browsers, IOS, ipad, skyfire, skyfire for ipad, SkyfireForIpad

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Watch Out for Online Scams This Holiday Season

George Frey/Bloomberg News Deceptive Apple iPad offers are one scam to be aware of.

The Internet security firm McAfee recently released a list of the online scams that consumers should be aware of this holiday season.

“As people jump online to look for deals on gifts and travel, it’s important to recognize common scams to safeguard against theft during the busy season ahead,” Dave Marcus, director of security research for McAfee Labs, said in a statement.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the scams on the list, which McAfee called “The Twelve Scams of Christmas.”

1. iPad Offers — Think spam when you see an offer of a free iPad if you provide your credit card number. More details on these types of scams be found in this Bucks post on the subject.
2. Help! I’ve Been Robbed” — Friends and family receive phony distress messages requesting money. A New York Times article in May described one recent case of such fraud and what Facebook is doing to combat it.
3. Fake Gift Cards — Similar to the iPod offer scam, this one offers free gift cards in exchange for your personal information.
4. Holiday Jobs — Offers of high-paying, work-at-home jobs in exchange for personal information.
5. Smishing — Phishing texts that appear to be from a bank or retailer.
6. Holiday Rentals — Fake holiday rental sites.
7. E-cards — Fake e-cards loaded with links to viruses.
8. Dangerous Holiday Downloads — Holiday-themed screen savers, jingles and animations loaded with viruses.

You can see the full list on McAfee’s site. And if you come across such scams, learn more about how to report them in a recent Gadgetwise post on reporting e-mail scams and spoofs.

What has been your experience with online scams this holiday season?

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Watch Over the Air TV on your <b>iPad</b> or iPhone with FilmOn <b>...</b>

You are here: Home » Mobile » Watch Over the Air TV on your iPad or iPhone with FilmOn

This may not last long as I’m sure the networks and Apple aren’t too happy about it. In fact, the legal beagles are already at work to make this stop. That said, if you want to watch some live TV on your iPad or iPhone you can do so courtesy of FilmOn.com as of this moment. Go to that website in Safari on your iOS device and pull up the site. You can then have your pick of the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS) being broadcast out of Los Angeles in addition to some other channels like the BBC. Be warned there are even some porn channels available. You make a selection and within a few seconds you’re watching the over the air broadcast on your device.

I tried this out last night using a MiFi card and so I can’t attest to the stream completely. I had some stutters and stops, but that might have been because of the pipe I was using. I don’t know how this works on WiFi. Notice also that there is a big “swipe for full screen” instruction on the screen. Actually you do a pinch out gesture to get to full screen, not a swipe.

You can also do this on your laptop or desktop but it requires a download to work there. I’m guessing the FilmOn folks want to eventually create a service they can charge for, but then again the networks will have a say in that.

There’s another service similar to FlimOn called ivi.tv and it is using broadcast feeds out of Seattle. It is a paid service at $4.99 a month.

Via All Things Digital

Filed Under: Mobile

Tags: FilmOn, ipad, iphone, ivi.tv

Warner Crocker is a professional theatre director, producer and playwright and also a Tablet PC enthusiast. He is also a Microsoft MVP for Tablet PCs. Send email to Warner.

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