Firefox Mobile (Fennec) Alpha Up for Windows Mobile Testing - Touch Pro2, Tilt 2 Themes and Apps

Fennec, Firefox's mobile browser, inches closer to a widespread beta with the release of an alpha tested on an HTC Touch Pro, but available for download on any Windows Mobile 6 device.
https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mobile/Fennec/Releases
Trying this out now, feel free to leave feedback

I've had this for months. It's not very fast at all and they tease you with that "plugins" option without any plugins.

rorytmeadows said:
I've had this for months. It's not very fast at all and they tease you with that "plugins" option without any plugins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do have add-ons available, you just can't access them from the browser:
http://bit.ly/6StAU6
You just have to download the .xpi file, copy it to your PPC, and tell it to open it with Fennec. I just read yesterday that AdBlock Plus has been released for Fennec as a beta...
Fun to play with, but ultimately far too long of a load time and far too high of an install size for practical use right now...

I believe Fennec is IN beta...but not for WinMo as of yet.
I'm quite curious to see what improvements have been made since this ver. of Alpha that most of us had a chance to play with.
I remember, that I was quite delighted with the control scheme (sliding left and right for buttons and control.
The zooming and rendering speed will definitely be the "deal makers/breakers" for me for this browser.
I use FF for my desktop...and if Fennec (Firefox Mobile) can sync bookmarks a la Xmarks...I think I'll be a follower of Mozilla!

I can't even run it on my TP2 because it always says that I don't have enough free memory.

Yeah, they have a lot of work to do, at least from the vantage point of this Alpha, but I would have liked to see more updates than what has been done on that Mobile Developments website. I'd love to stick with Firefox on my desktop and Fennec on my phone.

I installed in on my tmo tp2 w/htc 6.5 and it froze up the entire phone upon boot. I ended up flashing it. I had nothing else installed when i flashed it. I put it on, and it froze up again! Not gonna try this until the next release.

i tried it on my tp2 with 6.5 to started other than that did nothing. tried to uninstall and get wasnt completely removed error. had to use clear storage to get rid of it.

Related

Don't Miss Out On This New Browser, A Must For Pda Owners With Data Plan

DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS NEW BROWSER, A MUST FOR PDA OWNERS WITH DATA PLAN:
www.SKYFIRE.com
Watch The Intro On The Home Page
It's kinda nice, but it's another of the page through a proxy as an image browsers. The page is reformatted on their servers and then sent to the phone.
This has been around. It is in a Beta right now that you have to sign up for and be invited to. Been waiting months for the invite and basically giving up. Getting mixed reviews.
This is kinda old news. I have the beta of skyfire, it actually works fairly well. I have several wishes/bug fixes that I sent to skyfire, but overall it is fairly fast and pretty much plays any website you can navigate to.
I still use opera for most of my daily browsing, but I hope that skyfire gets better after the beta testing.
Skyfire
i got the skyfire download but everytime i've tried to browse..it keep saying that the network was lost eventhough i have data plan, i can browse internet with opera mobile 8.5
thanx
I didnt like it....will stick with Opera and PIE+
Meh, I just got the beta2 today. I'm not too impressed with it so far. There's lots of great things incorporated into it, but when you try to flow through pages you just can't do it. When a page loads, you have to zoom into it before you can enter text into any field.
I like to get online, do what I need to do, and get off--bam--finished. This new beta makes it very hard to do that. I've looked for ways to fix it this in its menus, but I just can't find anything. If someone knows how to fix it, let me know .
The things I love about it most are you can get on java based sites, watch embedded video, and hear embedded audio.
All in all, I'd have to say this is just a so-so browser. Great for the casual user who is multi-media focused.
I have the beta as well and I'll stick with opera 9.5. Plus I'd rather not do password work through a proxy server.
I use mini more. But sky is nice for some things. Mini is faster for me....beter syncing. rss. better rendering. better ui. sky does flash.
I just downloaded Sky today, I was let into the beta. And I will say that it's a little harder to use then the other browsers, but in making up for that. It actually delivers on what it says. I can't watch youtube on PIE or opera. I can on Sky, once flash is in the other browsers, Sky will have nothing, but until I find a browser that can play flash.. This rocks for all kinds of things, last.fm, and youtube are great, though I hate the zoom, and it needs some kind of volume control built into the browser.
Opera mobile when it is fully released will have flash. Last.fm plays better with pocket scrobbler. Hit me up over IM and I can send u a cab.
I actually like skyfire, but i noticed I can't go to any .Net sites. Whats up with that? Anyone?
Just got the beta this weekend
Good:
Renders pages well
Plays flash movies
Bad:
Stupid long startup time
Retarded "First you need to zoom!" UI concept. Just awful. Really awful
Text doesn't go into textbox, pops up for input.
Pretty much zero configuration
They should just rename this this to what it is: Streaming online pron viewer.
If they cut the start up time in 1/2, eliminated the need to zoom first (Start in desktop view, tap + hold to bring up the zoom box), and let you customize the way the interface works, they could have a winner. As it is now, Im suprised they consider this even a beta. It has nothing more than core funcitonality, which is more alpha to me.
anybody else get the feeling that even though the page load itself is pretty quick the browser on the whole sorta lags
I downloaded it tried it uninstalled it. it was a memory hog, makes you sign in every time (why can't it remember user information?), it's another one of those we reformat the web for you portals.
Crashed on my device almost immediately.
Got my E-mail yesterday and it works great. It uses a lot of memory though. But so far I like it.
another browser that will require money
I don't get these browsers, instead of updating HTML tags via the W3C we get these browsers that reformat pages before delivering them to the PPC.
I installed this, tried it, had it first complain about memory issues, then crashed when I tried to open the crosswords link on the NY Times page, and uninstalled it.
What exactly are the memory requirements for this thing?
Some specs would be nice.
It's not something I'm going to use.
emkorial said:
Just got the beta this weekend
Good:
Renders pages well
Plays flash movies
Bad:
Stupid long startup time
Retarded "First you need to zoom!" UI concept. Just awful. Really awful
Text doesn't go into textbox, pops up for input.
Pretty much zero configuration
They should just rename this this to what it is: Streaming online pron viewer.
If they cut the start up time in 1/2, eliminated the need to zoom first (Start in desktop view, tap + hold to bring up the zoom box), and let you customize the way the interface works, they could have a winner. As it is now, Im suprised they consider this even a beta. It has nothing more than core funcitonality, which is more alpha to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROTFLMAO, streaming online pron viewer. BWAAAWBWAAA
I love this program. It's awesome. It does have some limitations others have noted, but if you're looking to stream media, or view a page as it's shown on a PC it's the way to go.
If you're looking to USE a webpage, read, etc, I'd rather use pIE. But I like having both.
I love that it can play ANY streaming media I've thrown at it and look / sound great.
If you haven't already, check out this streaming media site: http://www.hulu.com
It has full episodes of many online shows, with very limited ads, for free! No signup! it's sponsored by NBC and FOX and it's 100% legit. It works GREAT in Skyfire!
Finally
A browser that does all. Opera+PIE+Skyfire. I can now with all three do everything I need to lol. Lets see if firefox can integrate the three. or someone.

Wanted - help beta testing my browser game

Hello fellow XDAers!
I have ported a WinMobile game to Silverlight and I am really desperate for some beta testers – having been immersed in the project now for over 500 hours it's getting hard to see the wood for the trees.
If you're keen, the URL is www.squarepeggame.com
As an (attempt at an) incentive, I will reward useful beta testers with free copies of the game when it's released. Currently, things I would really like to know are:
- Does it load and run on your machine / browser?
- Are you able to create an account, and is your level position saved when you re-start?
- The Level Designer (this'll be the first time anybody has used it, go easy on me) what do you think?
- Comments on useability and interface.
- General bug reports (please be as specific as possible)
- Anyone have access to an Intel-based Mac? Does it run on that?
There are separate forums on the game site to post any questions/bugs, I am of course happy to reply here in this thread too, providing it doesn't get too cluttered.
Thank you in advance!
Carlos
PS: I'll soon be on the look out for paid level designers as well, if this is something that interests you, just sign up in-game as a developer (see the website for more info)
PPS: You might need Silverlight 2, but it only takes 30secs to download & install the plugin
- Does it load and run on your machine / browser?
Yes
- Are you able to create an account,
haven't tried (was not required
and is your level position saved when you re-start?
When I clicked the x i restarted, but when I clicked the x again the screen stayed white, nothing happened
- Comments on useability and interface.
I though the pregame pointers (in training mode) disapeared a bit too quickly
- General bug reports (please be as specific as possible)
see my 2nd comment
Mr_Gee said:
- Does it load and run on your machine / browser?
Yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there
Thanks very much for this, I'm nearly ready to release it - anybody else fancy giving it a go? http://www.squarepeggame.com
What would be very helpful would be if somebody wanted to use the level designer to make their own level for the game - doesn't have to be anything complex - and let me know how you get on?
C
I will try right now
hmm seems like ppc has a new level to achieve ... will try
quite heavy on my memory eats up a lot of ram; was nice to play it and as been said was able to play without using my email address
Frickin' level 7....AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! Now you have done it. I'll be at this for hours.http://forum.xda-developers.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Runs well on Firefox 3 with Silverlight 2 for me. It allowed me to create an account and login. Haven't tested saving yet. Will do in a moment. Likewise with the level designer. The only thing that could do with altering is that on my 1920 x 1200 monitor (24 inch) the game is as far to the left of the browser as it will go. Would be better in the middle.
Yes, it did save my level when I went back. Just had the signup email. Might be worth obscuring some of the password in it . And volume controls for SFX and music would be good rather than just on or off. Level 9 of the tutorial has a spelling error, Giong instead of Going.
- Does it load and run on your machine / browser?
It runs, I am using my bro's core2duo laptop with firefox 3.0.5
- Are you able to create an account, and is your level position saved when you re-start?
Yes, I used red_hanks also and it says I am logged in with that name. Still waiting for the game to start for 15minutes now, it says "please wait" with a square spinning around. It is not my internet connection because I have a high-speed broadband. Silverlight was installed also and system is up to date with Windows Update.
- The Level Designer (this'll be the first time anybody has used it, go easy on me) what do you think?
Looks clean, like in nurserys... (just the first page where it says START, INSTRUCTIONS...)
- Comments on useability and interface.
None at the moment
- General bug reports (please be as specific as possible)
It is not loading???
Oh it's loading now...Playing it...nice game...hit thr back arrow button and it went back to the first page...playing again...hit the x button and nothin happens..hit it again and everything just went white...
Hmmm... the level editor crashes Firefox for me as soon as I click in the email box. Also happens in IEtab and Internet Explorer 7. My machine is Vista Ultimate with a Core 2 Duo E6600 with 2gb RAM. I've also had it go to a blank screen in the menus but I see this is a listed bug on your forum.
character said:
eats up a lot of ram.. was nice to play it and as been said was able to play without using my email address
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'll look into any ways of further minimising RAM usage, although could be a browser thing too. Lots of sounds and pics to cache too, but will definitely investigate.
ahuskins said:
Frickin' level 7....AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! Now you have done it. I'll be at this for hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Level 7, really??! The one on the tutorial is really easy, so maybe you're talking about the actual "first hundred" playlist? Hope you cracked it! Let me know if you can't get there and want me to developer-enable your account so that you can try out the level designer.
Prof. Yaffle said:
The only thing that could do with altering is that on my 1920 x 1200 monitor (24 inch) the game is as far to the left of the browser as it will go. Would be better in the middle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an interesting comment - I will try to get it to centre in the browser rather than left-aligning. It's funny as I had just assumed that people would move or resize the window rather than maximising it! But I want it to be as helpful as possible to the user so you're right, it should align to the middle of large browser windows.
Prof. Yaffle said:
Yes, it did save my level when I went back. Just had the signup email. Might be worth obscuring some of the password in it . And volume controls for SFX and music would be good rather than just on or off. Level 9 of the tutorial has a spelling error, Giong instead of Going.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are all excellent suggestions, thank you - and typo now fixed. (the joy of all the levels coming from a SQL server is that this was a relatively trivial thing to do - if you've ever tried deploying and staging an Azure server site you'll know how long it can take...)
The volume controls might not make it into the beta release but will definitely be added later.
red_hanks said:
Hit the x button and nothin happens..hit it again and everything just went white...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, red_hanks. Can't replicate the error but could easily have been the webserver being down. Calls to WCF services from Silverlight are a little tricky and I think I need more error handling for when they don't work. I don't think you have tested the level designer by the way, just the game, in answer to your comment.
Thanks everyone! As I said before, if anyone fancies trying to design their own level using the level designer and wants to let me know the name, etc, I'd be interested to (1) play your level and (2) hear how you got on with the level designer!
There's forums over at www.squarepeggame.com too if you need help, tutorials still being made but some are there.
Carlos
Any idea what could cause the level editor to crash in IE7 and Firefox? I've tried Run As Administrator as well but still the same. As soon as I click any of the boxes (including the tickbox) it crashes.
Prof. Yaffle said:
Any idea what could cause the level editor to crash in IE7 and Firefox? I've tried Run As Administrator as well but still the same. As soon as I click any of the boxes (including the tickbox) it crashes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm okay it would certainly be good to get this solved!
When it crashes, does it just white-screen or is there an error message? Can you try (in Firefox), after it's crashed, going to Tools -> Error Console and seeing if there were any error messages?
C
PS: I'm assuming you're running Silverlight v2 and not some earlier beta or something. Perhaps you could try uninstalling and re-installing Silverlight for me as well, making sure of course that all browsers are closed during installation.
Great, but a few issues
It runs along fine with very few issues on my Sony Laptop (Model VGN-CR240E with Windows Vista/7 partitions, 2 gb RAM, 2 gigahertz Centrino Duo, and a 1280x800 LCD screen. I have not actually tried it on Vista, only on Windows 7 and it works wonderfully except when you enter a level and hit the "X" button in the top corner, which crashes IE8 Beta It doesn't crash under those circumstances on FireFox (Windows 7) though. However, these issues could also be attributed to the fact it is a beta OS running a beta Browser. The game seems more stable on FireFox. I will try it on Vista later, and see if that makes a difference using IE7. As for the UI, it's fine but if you added a way to go back to the main menu after you choose the green "Start" button, that would make it even better. Accounts work fine as far as I've used them. And I have not noticed any RAM issues with the game, according to Process Explorer. The game is amazing overall, and you'll have yourself a real winner when this is done. Good luck with the game
Dave
Does it load and run on your machine / browser?
It works fine on my HP laptop. I'm running Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 and using IE 8 Beta 2
Are you able to create an account, and is your level position saved when you re-start?
Yes. I created an account and the level position was saved
The Level Designer (this'll be the first time anybody has used it, go easy on me) what do you think?
I haven't been able to login to it.
Comments on useability and interface.
Nice UI. It's simple and intuitive
General bug reports (please be as specific as possible)
Problem logging into the level designer. It says I need to complete the tutorial though I've finished it.
How did it run on an Intel iMac?
Once I get to my newspaper class 2 days from now, I'll update my post.
Since I couldn't login to the dev portal, I'm just saying: I'm a Silverlight developer and I would be interested in designing levels/improving the code of the game.
Hello,
The game runs well on my Mac Book Pro with Firefox.
I was able to create an account with no issues.
UI is simple. Makes the games easy to learn.
Crashed to a white screen on level 9 of the tutorial after several moves. Was able to restart from the beginning. This was prior to creating a login. After creating a login and then finishing level 8 of the tutorial I got a pleas wait icon. It then crashed to a white screen after about 30 seconds.
Do you want us to post in the squarepeg forum instead of here?
carlosp_uk said:
Hmm okay it would certainly be good to get this solved!
When it crashes, does it just white-screen or is there an error message? Can you try (in Firefox), after it's crashed, going to Tools -> Error Console and seeing if there were any error messages?
C
PS: I'm assuming you're running Silverlight v2 and not some earlier beta or something. Perhaps you could try uninstalling and re-installing Silverlight for me as well, making sure of course that all browsers are closed during installation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it crashes it actually kills Firefox and I get the Mozilla Crash Reporter asking if I wish to report details of what I was doing. I've tried several times looking in the Error Console and there's nothing other than a couple of dead RSS feeds. If I clear it still nothing at all related. I have V2 of Silverlight installed but have just tried rebooting, removing it, rebooting again, re-installing it and still the same.
Had to d/l silverlight- plays just fine
Created account and didnt have to log in as it remembered me and where I was
Nice game, looks good and is easy to use, though the levels get tough
No bugs that I have found
Using this on my HP 17" laptop running Windows XP
Thanks for this
Everything works perfectly using Silverlight 2 on an (intel) Macbook. The levels are tough, most definitely.
DaveTheTytnIIGuy said:
On Windows 7 and it works wonderfully except when you enter a level and hit the "X" button in the top corner, which crashes IE8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Dave, and also for your kind comments / feeback on the game - all noted. I have not been able to reproduce this bug (IE8 beta 1 or 2?) so I'm going to put it down as a win7/ie8 quirk for now, unless I get multiple reports. How did you get on with Vista?
ND4SPD said:
Problem logging into the level designer. It says I need to complete the tutorial though I've finished it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks this worries me as if the game is not correctly developer-enabling accounts at all times we're in trouble. Did anything happen when you completed the tutorial? Any sort of message at all? I cannot reproduce the error as when I complete the tutorial on my machine a message box appears telling me "Congratulations!..." and my account is upgraded to developer status.
ND4SPD said:
Since I couldn't login to the dev portal, I'm just saying: I'm a Silverlight developer and I would be interested in designing levels/improving the code of the game.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, that sounds very interesting, if we can't get this problem sorted quickly let me know and I can manually developer-enable your account so you can have a crack at the level designer. In the next phase of the launch, we (ie me) will be paying out cash for levels as well.
blazingwolf said:
Crashed to a white screen on level 9 of the tutorial after several moves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this - this sounds like an error in code rather than comms. Can you remember what moves you made in the level? If you're able to reproduce this error and then (in firefox) go to Tools -> Error Console, hopefully there will be an error message that could help me to fix this bug. The other error you mention is a known comms exception that I'll be looking at.
Prof. Yaffle said:
When it crashes it actually kills Firefox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously? Whoa! And this happens when you click anything in the login screen of the level designer, right? (I'm assuming you got the logo and login textboxes appearing with no issues) Does the Mozilla crash reporter give you any additional info that you could send me about the crash?
Thanks so much for re-installing, by the way, sorry this didn't help. This doesn't sound like it's something that's going to be easy to diagnose, in fact I already have a headache just thinking about it. Possibly a silverlight bug, a browser bug, or both. Do you have javascript enabled in Firefox, by the way? And have you tried logging in with Internet Explorer, does that work?
blazingwolf said:
Do you want us to post in the squarepeg forum instead of here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know people, as we're now discussing multiple issues, and I don't want to abuse the charity of xda-developers for hosting this discussion, it might actually be better to gradually move things to the squarepeg forums. (http://forums.squarepeggame.com) I'll disable email account activation for a few days to make it quicker for you to set up accounts.
Of course if people would prefer to post here, that's understandable, I'll still gladly answer posts in this thread.
On a general note, thanks for all the testing so far (eg stanglifemike) - and I'm really pleased that the general impression of the game itself seems to be a good one... ...oh, and @elazullizard - thanks for the feedback... are the levels really that tough? Are you talking about "The First Hundred" or the tutorial?.. ..if it's the tutorial I'm now worried that I've made it too hard!
Carlos

I love windows 8 but...

I have the rtm of pro activated with a legit key for vlsc and when you consider this is supposed to be finished I have found it almost more buggy than release preview. It took ages to get AMD Catalyst installed and it required me to go into device manager to install the driver manually first and that's the windows 8 software. That could be excused its not MS its just beta software. The thing I don't get though is my music plays in media player yet the new metro music app bombs out about 1-2 seconds in on any track and I have tested a few now. The email is almost impossible to work out how to add new email accounts and you can still only have metro apps on one screen and that includes the start menu. This means that even though I have 3 screens if I want to put my email to one side I then have to use that screen for any other work im doing. Yes the multio monitor support has some cool tweeks ie the toolbar on all 3 screens (eyefinity did this anyway) it still ties me to one screen working arg. Also for some reason my ocz agility 3 hard drive only score 6.9 booo something wrong there. Rant over! There is many little bugs crashes but I love the os overall so don't want to look to negative but I was expecting more from rtm.
lumpaywk said:
I have the rtm of pro activated with a legit key for vlsc and when you consider this is supposed to be finished I have found it almost more buggy than release preview. It took ages to get AMD Catalyst installed and it required me to go into device manager to install the driver manually first and that's the windows 8 software. That could be excused its not MS its just beta software. The thing I don't get though is my music plays in media player yet the new metro music app bombs out about 1-2 seconds in on any track and I have tested a few now. The email is almost impossible to work out how to add new email accounts and you can still only have metro apps on one screen and that includes the start menu. This means that even though I have 3 screens if I want to put my email to one side I then have to use that screen for any other work im doing. Yes the multio monitor support has some cool tweeks ie the toolbar on all 3 screens (eyefinity did this anyway) it still ties me to one screen working arg. Also for some reason my ocz agility 3 hard drive only score 6.9 booo something wrong there. Rant over! There is many little bugs crashes but I love the os overall so don't want to look to negative but I was expecting more from rtm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you cant really hold MS to blame for shoddy driver support on an unreleased product from manufactures who haven't released final drivers (graphics and HDD) the multi monitor thing is a bit of a pain, and the email accounts couldn't be simpler, Media player bombing out sounds like a pretty serious issue and I suspect yet another driver related issue given that its not widespread and so far as I can tell, user specific, which is likely hardware specific
What is lost upon Mac users is that Windows must support a near limitless set of hardware combos, the mere fact it works on most computers is a huge achievement, unfortunately it can have its problems, I have audio issues as well, I very much doubt my sound card manufacture will get new drivers out and will more than likely force me to change hardware, that's a pain, but it is also good business sense
Don't worry bro. I have the same problems. Release Preview is buggy as all hell.
My WMP won't even open without instantly freezing. I've tried both 32 and 64-bit versions. They do open separately without having to use hacks, which I will give it to MS, it's about time.
The mail app barely opens. You have to restart the whole computer to get it working again.
W8 HATES Google Chrome browser. Constantly locking up. Google needs to get it together with that one. I've always hated IE, but since it's 64-bit native, it seems to perform quite nicely. Just need to find some sort of extension to block ads and I'd be good to go. They seem to have made quite the number of improvements to it since last I used it.
Menu options such as "Print" and "delete" have disappeared from the PDF app. They were present in the Consumer and Developers previews.
I have an HP Presario DV7-6165us Notebook, and believe it or not, I think the graphics work better with W8 built-in drivers than the AMD Catalyst ones I later decided to install. It was the same story when I used CP and DP. All the built-in drivers seem to have better performance. Especially the Wifi ones. Bluetooth stock drivers even run everything I need and connect my devices flawlessly, but when I install drivers from HP designed for W7 64-bit, we have problems.
Normal, 3rd party applications freeze on a regular basis. Can't blame MS for that. It's the devs of the applications we have to complain to in order to get them to develop compatibility with W8.
I personally haven't had any compatibility issues with my software, and I had already ironed out a way to install my modded graphics drivers in CP and RP. Chrome works great. Bear in mind I'm running the x86 version as oppose to the x64 one. Overall it runs even better than the previews and the only let down for me was the lack of new features from preview to rtm.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app
I feel really stupid in the fact that I accidentally did an upgrade install. *facepalm*
Did a custom after "refreshing" the OS, which was a nightmare to complete anyways... but now that's it's pretty much stock, everything works again. XD
dazza9075 said:
you cant really hold MS to blame for shoddy driver support on an unreleased product from manufactures who haven't released final drivers (graphics and HDD) the multi monitor thing is a bit of a pain, and the email accounts couldn't be simpler, Media player bombing out sounds like a pretty serious issue and I suspect yet another driver related issue given that its not widespread and so far as I can tell, user specific, which is likely hardware specific
What is lost upon Mac users is that Windows must support a near limitless set of hardware combos, the mere fact it works on most computers is a huge achievement, unfortunately it can have its problems, I have audio issues as well, I very much doubt my sound card manufacture will get new drivers out and will more than likely force me to change hardware, that's a pain, but it is also good business sense
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhhhh, yes, the "Mac hardware is easy" fable. I love this one. I would type more, but apple patented something I'm doing on my Android phone, so I'll be arrested any moment...
Most of my issues are driver based and so not down to MS directly. My gripe is that this stuff was working in the preview so whatever changes MS made has now brocken almost half of the drivers that did work. Getting my Catalyst to work was a pain but it now does though it took me to manually install the driver then install the software. I will swap out my Asrock motherboard for a sabertooth r2 but i cant see many people wanting to make such changes.
My main MS gripe is the multi monitor support after they made such a big deal about it and it does not do the most basic of functions. this is not an early build driver issue this is a problem with the OS. Plus its one that cant be fixed with a link on the taskbar like the lack of start button. TBH im wandaring what AMD has up its sleaves for eyefinity and how they can get around hot corners(at the mo i turn off outside of games windows+p). Another issue is the music app, this is a bug, i dont know how widespread and once again will be down to some 3rd party but there is nothing that any normal user would not have and media player works so its not down to mp3 drivers or currupt files etc.
As for Macs they have tons of issues themselves and the new OS hardly works on anything. Apple is miles behind and its just thanks to a great marketing dept and the easy peer presure of the modern word that they have become so huge.
Apparently the amd v9 driver works better than the 1 designed for RP
ohgood said:
Ahhhhh, yes, the "Mac hardware is easy" fable. I love this one. I would type more, but apple patented something I'm doing on my Android phone, so I'll be arrested any moment...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no one said it was easy as such, but if you design an OS around a piece of hardware then it will (you would hope) have been run through the grinder a lot more. Until this last decade trying to get most 3rd party hardware to run on a mac was a pain in the arse, made much easier with the move to x86 I might add but still, its not a fable, unless Apples testing programs are as crap as its customer service!
lumpaywk said:
I have the rtm of pro activated with a legit key for vlsc and when you consider this is supposed to be finished I have found it almost more buggy than release preview. It took ages to get AMD Catalyst installed and it required me to go into device manager to install the driver manually first and that's the windows 8 software. That could be excused its not MS its just beta software. The thing I don't get though is my music plays in media player yet the new metro music app bombs out about 1-2 seconds in on any track and I have tested a few now. The email is almost impossible to work out how to add new email accounts and you can still only have metro apps on one screen and that includes the start menu. This means that even though I have 3 screens if I want to put my email to one side I then have to use that screen for any other work im doing. Yes the multio monitor support has some cool tweeks ie the toolbar on all 3 screens (eyefinity did this anyway) it still ties me to one screen working arg. Also for some reason my ocz agility 3 hard drive only score 6.9 booo something wrong there. Rant over! There is many little bugs crashes but I love the os overall so don't want to look to negative but I was expecting more from rtm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have problems to with amd proc and.ati video drivers
Sent from my LG-P970 using xda premium
If it's an ati mobility card then Google search mobility modder, that's how I got mine to work.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app
ArchangelRenzoku said:
W8 HATES Google Chrome browser. Constantly locking up. Google needs to get it together with that one. I've always hated IE, but since it's 64-bit native, it seems to perform quite nicely. Just need to find some sort of extension to block ads and I'd be good to go. They seem to have made quite the number of improvements to it since last I used it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.bing.com/search?q=tracking+protection+lists&src=IE-TopResult&FORM=IE10TR
Well, that all is the reason why RTM is getting available today to Technet and MSDN subscribers and only gets released to regular consumers in October. Developers at hardware companies need to adapt some of their drivers and many things they have to do can only be done now that Microsoft has finished development.
Most of those issues will likely be resolved before Windows 8 hits the streets. I guess most people will get it with a new PC anyway and at least there I expect it to work without problems.
StevieBallz said:
Well, that all is the reason why RTM is getting available today to Technet and MSDN subscribers and only gets released to regular consumers in October. Developers at hardware companies need to adapt some of their drivers and many things they have to do can only be done now that Microsoft has finished development.
Most of those issues will likely be resolved before Windows 8 hits the streets. I guess most people will get it with a new PC anyway and at least there I expect it to work without problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes just hours now from my Technet download The metro screen issue is still bugging me and i dont see that getting fixed untill blue/windows 8.5. I dont think MS even sees it as an issue yet. My Graphics are working like a charm now bar it seems my fan runs between 80-100% all the time even with low temps so i dont see it being long before thats fixed. Asus has there official drivers out already (gutted now i chose asrock over them but you live and learn). I hope meia center goes live today aswell, i dont really use it much now as my pc is in my living room not the bedroom but its nice to have. just hope music app now works as i really like the look of it and useing zune now just feels old school (shame they droped the zune line would of been good to see an update on the player and had everything work together)
ps love the choice of phone the titan rocks \m/

What do you Think of Technical Preview

This thread is to discuss the Windows 10 Technical Preview. Some things can be things that you like and don't like about it and bugs you have come across while testing it out. Here are some things I like about it.
Pros:
- Start menu has returned (yes I'm a laptop user and this is very welcoming for me)
- Seems to use slightly less RAM than Windows 8 did and a good bit less than 7 did.
- Most apps and programs seem to work without any problems or compatibility issues.
- You can now run modern apps from within the desktop which helped solve the two-faced issue that Windows 8 suffered from
- Multiple desktop support, something Linux and Mac have been able to do for years now.
- You can now create desktop shortcuts for modern apps
Cons:
- With there being practically no window boarder, some programs may look weird or render improperly
(example: there is a dark bar under the close button in Chrome EDIT: Chrome has been updated and doesn't do this anymore)
- Windows Explorer may freeze up and stop responding for about 30 seconds (it usually will work again when you close the Explorer window and reopen it)
- Charms work on the desktop, but not in modern apps (Charms are completely gone in build 9926, but it doesn't bother me)
- You can't remove or move the search or task view on the taskbar (I find them useful, but I know the shortcuts for them and they just add clutter to my taskbar EDIT: It's been fixed for a while I know, but I never updated the thread for it)
- Navigating the task view can be a bit cumbersome and your added desktops don't save.
Bugs I've come across:
- Textbox went away at the lockscreen, forcing me to restart
- Snap is currently broken. I can only snap one window but I can't snap another window while the first one is snapped (EDIT: This issue seemed to fix itself after restarting my computer. Snap works properly now after rebooting)
- Second display support is currently broken. When you plug a laptop or tablet to a screen wit ha higher resolution while the computer is either off or asleep, you will be greeted with either a black or blue screen, which also forces you to restart (fixed with October 2014 patch)
Workarounds:
These are temporary workarounds to fix various issues, bugs or annoyances in Technical Preview
- To be able to snap two windows, snap your first window and then minimize it. Open or select your second window and snap it to the other side. Bring back up your first window and both windows should be equally split across the screen.
- To use a second screen, tun on your computer and log on before connecting it to a second screen. Also, unplug the second screen before putting your computer to sleep, or else you will have the same problem
I'm a laptop user - is it still possible to keep the Windows 8 style start menu? I prefer that, better to make full use my 17" screen, rather than the imo annoying Windows 7 menu that opened up in a postage-stamp-sized window.
I had multiple desktops on my Amiga 19 years ago Though the downside is it's harder to do things like drag and drop, and more confusing keeping track of where things are. Can't say I've missed them.
I agree it's annoying if the search button can't be removed - similarly it's annoying they stuck the start button back in Windows 8.1. I know the shortcuts for keyboard, and the hotspot worked fine with a mouse/touchpad. Particularly annoying on my 10" Transformer Book where I have less screen space.
mdwh said:
I'm a laptop user - is it still possible to keep the Windows 8 style start menu? I prefer that, better to make full use my 17" screen, rather than the imo annoying Windows 7 menu that opened up in a postage-stamp-sized window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the taskbar properties, you can customize the Windows 10 start menu settings. Here you can activate start menu as well kown of Windows 8 by turning off the Windows 10 start menu.
Tested it and removed it. Nothing to see if your not an developer or IT pro. And the fact that you can only use
it when your online, or at least use an online account just creeps me out. It looks like MS is going to close the
system up and demanding users to use cloud based systems. In other words, there getting even more on the
data mining bandwagon. And closing it up is hoping an new bread of developers will commit to Windows again.
Which isn't all that bad if the price and quality of the apps get way better then they are now.
Sure, they call it an tech preview, but they obviously already have the thing ready. The tech demo is buggy
by design that's for sure. And the start menu, if that is going to be the way it's going to be, is just silly and boring.
Must be an prank, surly they can come up with something more inspired. Using windowed apps on the desktop, an
sell point. seriously? Been doing that from Windows 8. Other features underlined for the time beeing all boring!
So move along, nothing to see for now.
All in all, if the preview is any indication, it will be nothing to write home about. For the average user.
Just the same old thing again. Except if the apps get consistent design! Not that oldskool Windows crap.
I have been using Windows from 1.0 or at least 30 years in my case. And its still flat and squared. Just saying...
XP endured for 10 years. Sure, it was an robust OS after win 9x, I loved it. Also loved 95-98 NT2000, so..
But was also glad to see Vista(..) after all those years working with the same old thing. Windows 7(what Vista should have been) was sweet but eventually quickly broken. 8 an experiment. 8.1.1 what 8 should have been to start with. Now that I am no longer in IT for some years, I hope that windows 10 will amuse me like Android or Mac does for Apple users. But respect individuality and freedom within the os. No forced net hookup and no extra data mining/spying.
With that out of the way, Windows 10 is either going to be an NT2000, Vista or a 8 seeing that 8.1.1 is just getting momentum and an base in the tablet segment.
What is there to think about Windows 10 Preview, if you are just an user, nothing. Just being an bore
Buggster said:
Tested it and removed it. Nothing to see if your not an developer or IT pro. And the fact that you can only use
it when your online, or at least use an online account just creeps me out. It looks like MS is going to close the
system up and demanding users to use cloud based systems. In other words, there getting even more on the
data mining bandwagon. And closing it up is hoping an new bread of developers will commit to Windows again.
Which isn't all that bad if the price and quality of the apps get way better then they are now.
Sure, they call it an tech preview, but they obviously already have the thing ready. The tech demo is buggy
by design that's for sure. And the start menu, if that is going to be the way it's going to be, is just silly and boring.
Must be an prank, surly they can come up with something more inspired. Using windowed apps on the desktop, an
sell point. seriously? Been doing that from Windows 8. Other features underlined for the time beeing all boring!
So move along, nothing to see for now.
All in all, if the preview is any indication, it will be nothing to write home about. For the average user.
Just the same old thing again. Except if the apps get consistent design! Not that oldskool Windows crap.
I have been using Windows from 1.0 or at least 30 years in my case. And its still flat and squared. Just saying...
XP endured for 10 years. Sure, it was an robust OS after win 9x, I loved it. Also loved 95-98 NT2000, so..
But was also glad to see Vista(..) after all those years working with the same old thing. Windows 7(what Vista should have been) was sweet but eventually quickly broken. 8 an experiment. 8.1.1 what 8 should have been to start with. Now that I am no longer in IT for some years, I hope that windows 10 will amuse me like Android or Mac does for Apple users. But respect individuality and freedom within the os. No forced net hookup and no extra data mining/spying.
With that out of the way, Windows 10 is either going to be an NT2000, Vista or a 8 seeing that 8.1.1 is just getting momentum and an base in the tablet segment.
What is there to think about Windows 10 Preview, if you are just an user, nothing. Just being an bore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are missing the point.
This is a preview, microsoft needs to keep track who is actually testing it. Don't worry, there will be no such thing as a cloud OS. Plus, this version is just to test stability and stuff. Features will be added in time.
You are missing the point.
This is a preview, microsoft needs to keep track who is actually testing it. Don't worry, there will be no such thing as a cloud OS. Plus, this version is just to test stability and stuff. Features will be added in time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are missing the point here(no insult intended) Cloud is already integrated in the OS, every iteration a bit more. A lot of users already use there Outlook account
to log on daily and use the cloud drive. MS don't need to keep track in the way you mean with this preview. There are lots of background services already sending telemetry
to the servers, with unique id.
So the preview, as we all know it's an preview for testing, doesn't really need your explicit permission to use your system data. That's already part of the agreement of using this preview. It's "informally suggested" you test it as your daily driver. That's why they ask for an personal outlook account. In which you give explicit permission to use your private data and cover any legal issues. What else would be the point of testing it publicly without explicit user data and telemetry. I'm not slandering MS here. That's not my intention.
Again, there's not much to test for your normal user. The new feature aren't in there remember? Your not getting anything. It's you that's being tested
There could still be a local account be used... There is an option on account create
The search box on the task bar could be hidden with menu on right click
Windows 10 became laggy and slow after few days... Super UI, have to wait for final release.
Well I did come across a minor wifi issue when trying to connect to my college wifi. The issue I had was it had a hard time connecting to it at first (I was able to get it to connect after trying a few times). I think the issue was it couldn't figure out the network security settings (which requires logging in with a username and password) and it would immediately pop up saying can't connect to network. Another wifi issue I've came across is there is difficulty disconnecting from a network and hopping on another one. When you hit disconnect, it will sit there with the spinning circles until you switch the wifi adapter on and off.
In all honesty though, it could be my laptop causing the problems because it's a 4 year old computer but I never ran across those issues on Windows 7
no contora up till now
I experience some bugs wth windows store
I think Cortana is jealous of Android
True story:
I installed build 9926 (major hassle but another story) and started playing with Cortana.
I set Android as topic that interested me and a few links popped up. I clicked a link, IE opened, and the page started loading, and just kept loading - no text. A minute later (I'm running Win 10 in VMWare) I copied the link, went to my host system, and pasted it into Firefox. Worked fine. Another two or three minutes later, IE said the page was running 'a very long script'. I clicked to send a frown (IE feedback to MS) A window popped up, I explained the problem, and Win 10 crashed. HARD. Just locked up. Finally had to delete the VM and reinstall.
I'm kind of afraid to tell Cortana I like Android now.
BSOD
Tried installing the Preview on my PC. Nothing unusual happens during the installation. All runs well after series of restarts. The problem only arises after I switched off my PC. When I opened it again I was greeted with BSOD.
Anyone here experiencing the same issue?
JeySi said:
Tried installing the Preview on my PC. Nothing unusual happens during the installation. All runs well after series of restarts. The problem only arises after I switched off my PC. When I opened it again I was greeted with BSOD.
Anyone here experiencing the same issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't say that I have, but can you include any other information within the BSOD such as the bugcheck code or any other text besides the usual "Your computer has been shut down and we're collecting data" text? It could be a driver that's being updated through Windows Update or a preview update that's causing issues.
i think windows 10 will be a success unlike windows 8 failed to attract users

Opera Mobile and TLS 1.2

It's time to show a little more love for arguably the best browser for the NST/G
I've been reading up on the whole TLS 1.2 thing and bemoaning the gradual eroding of the NST/G internet capabilities as various apps wink out of usefulness due to the recent change. I felt the same way about Opera Mobile 12.10, especially when I had finally figured out an app for Google News, only to find that many of the external links could not be opened, presumably due to this new security protocol.
Imagine my surprise today when I revisited the configuration screen for Opera Mobile and saw that even on this nearly prehistoric app there is an option for TLS 1.2!! Once I had selected that I could suddenly navigate to all kinds of sites that were previously snubbing me! Woo-hoo!
The procedure, in pictures, below. Love live Opera Mobile (at least until TLS 1.3).
Edit: I should mention that this has nothing to do with the recent NST/G update to 1.2.2. B&N only added TLS 1.2 handshaking for their own purchasing system, not anything else. I have one device running 1.2.1 and one updated to 1.2.2. They are identical in their need for and response to this change in settings for Opera Mobile.
Edit, Edit: I've been looking at this issue again recently and found sites that actually test the browser and recommend changes in settings. It turns out that ONLY the TLS 1.2 should be enabled, not older protocols. One site also recommended disabling the SSL v.3, but my tests with two devices trying to access the same sites indicated that was a bad idea.
My most unexpected discovery was a post on an Opera board somewhere that suggested simply clearing cache (from the Menu: Settings>Privacy>Clear Cache) will often allow access to sites that initially give a security connection error. This actually seems to work in many cases. I have no idea why, but it prompted me to try unticking ALL cache settings except for "Empty on Exit" (last screenshot below). Don't forget to "Save" at the end of that section before exiting.
This is great, thank you!
Has anyone gotten this tweak to allow you to sign into Overdrive (online library) websites? New York Public Library's Overdrive page, nypl.overdrive.com still won't let me sign in, even with both TLS 1.1 and 1.2. For the record I think I'm still actually on firmware 1.1.0
jptiger said:
This is great, thank you!
Has anyone gotten this tweak to allow you to sign into Overdrive (online library) websites? New York Public Library's Overdrive page, nypl.overdrive.com still won't let me sign in, even with both TLS 1.1 and 1.2. For the record I think I'm still actually on firmware 1.1.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was the second thing I tried. No joy. Unfortunately there is zero information in a logcat of my unsuccessful session, almost as though the system was ignoring the browser activity entirely, so nothing to work with there.
Out on a limb here, but it could be a case of no contact with systems older than the oldest one to still support an Overdrive app (2.3, I think?). When I encounter a site that still won't connect with Opera Mobile, despite the addition of TLS 1.2, I think that's similar. Such an old browser (and OS) is seen as a security issue. Now exactly how the determination is made, that I don't know. It seems unlikely that it's something as simple as the User Agent string, as I have two NSTs, one running 1.2.2 and the older one with 1.2.1. I'm pretty sure I have not done anything with the UA string on the 1.2.2 device (it's a beast to type in) but I know I altered the other one to match the original stock browser on the device. I'll have to run down both values to see if there's something about the OS in there.
If the sites have a way of querying the system to recognize whether it is "safe" or not, then there's not much to be done. There was that one older version of UC Mini Browser which was able to negotiate a login at one time, but even if you could get into the library's Overdrive section, the closest you would come to a book is downloading the acsm file and then what? AFAIK there is no way to deal with it on the device itself. It would have to be processed on a PC and then transferred to the NST.
Login would allow you to checkout Kindle books and even confirm the download at the Amazon site (painful as that is), but I don't see how to make the epub thing work solely on the device any longer short of a new OS. That's way beyond my pay grade. I'm curious about it but recognize that it's not something I'm going to pick up at this stage of my life. Too bad the few projects directed at that weren't more modest in their goals. A change to just Gingerbread would have made a huge difference, although even with that, the handwriting is surely on the wall.
but even if you could get into the library's Overdrive section, the closest you would come to a book is downloading the acsm file and then what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open the file with Aldiko! I actually used to do this all the time, it was the main way I used to interact with Overdrive for years. Worked great... until I wasn't able to log into Overdrive sites and access my holds any more.
You might need a specific old version of Aldiko, I'd bet I found it on these forums somewhere. I'm writing this on my phone on a subway, otherwise I'd link here. Moot point atm anyway.
jptiger said:
Open the file with Aldiko! I actually used to do this all the time, it was the main way I used to interact with Overdrive for years. Worked great... until I wasn't able to log into Overdrive sites and access my holds any more.
You might need a specific old version of Aldiko, I'd bet I found it on these forums somewhere. I'm writing this on my phone on a subway, otherwise I'd link here. Moot point atm anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There may yet be a magic version of Aldiko that can do this, but I think the operative word in your response might be "used" to interact with Overdrive.
I don't know why but I decided to look at this issue again and stumbled on @straygecko's post re: Overdrive and Aldiko here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=35917607&postcount=2
I scrounged around for a "2.0" version of Aldiko and came up with 2.00.081 (maybe close enough?). Anyway, it does install and the first few steps of the procedure @straygecko outlines actually work great, even the sign in with Adobe--which I found shocking. I was able to painfully add my local library's Overdrive URL to the "My Catalogs" section and actually "browse" to the URL, if you can call it that. If we think Opera Mobile is antique, think more along the lines of the stock NST browser. Mostly floating text appears here and there, lots of broken images, and Search does not seem to work. Oh, and scrolling up the page? LOL! If you can get lower on the page to something like "available now", the screen will not update. It may not be absolutely necessary but while I was chortling and grimacing I also tried the "sign in" option. In little tiny letters across the top of the screen comes the "oops! something went wrong" message, all too familiar.
I hope, I really do hope that there is another version of Aldiko 2.0 that would work. But the post by @straygecko was from 2012 and while at my age that seems not so long ago, in the world of Android, it might as well be 500 BCE.
For your entertainment, I attach the version of Aldiko I was able to scare up. YMMV.
Odd. I think you might be trying to make Aldiko do a different part than I was referring to. Here was my usual workflow after installing Aldiko and logging into my Adobe ID on it:
1 open opera mobile
2 navigate to my library's overdrive page
3 sign in (not currently working)
4 browse and check out an epub ebook
5 download the ascm file
6 when prompted about what to do with it open it aldiko
7 Aldiko then downloads the epub using your Adobe ID and shows it in your library until it expires
If those are the steps you're following, where do you hit the unreadable text? After the book downloads?
jptiger said:
Odd. I think you might be trying to make Aldiko do a different part than I was referring to. Here was my usual workflow after installing Aldiko and logging into my Adobe ID on it:
1 open opera mobile
2 navigate to my library's overdrive page
3 sign in (not currently working)
4 browse and check out an epub ebook
5 download the ascm file
6 when prompted about what to do with it open it aldiko
7 Aldiko then downloads the epub using your Adobe ID and shows it in your library until it expires
If those are the steps you're following, where do you hit the unreadable text? After the book downloads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right, those were not my steps. On my local library Overdrive site it is not possible to check out an eBook without eventually signing in. Catch-22.
nmyshkin said:
It's time to show a little more love for arguably the best browser for the NST/G
I've been reading up on the whole TLS 1.2 thing and bemoaning the gradual eroding of the NST/G internet capabilities as various apps wink out of usefulness due to the recent change. I felt the same way about Opera Mobile 12.10, especially when I had finally figured out an app for Google News, only to find that many of the external links could not be opened, presumably due to this new security protocol.
Imagine my surprise today when I revisited the configuration screen for Opera Mobile and saw that even on this nearly prehistoric app there is an option for TLS 1.2!! Once I had selected that I could suddenly navigate to all kinds of sites that were previously snubbing me! Woo-hoo!
The procedure, in pictures, below. Love live Opera Mobile (at least until TLS 1.3).
Edit: I should mention that this has nothing to do with the recent NST/G update to 1.2.2. B&N only added TLS 1.2 handshaking for their own purchasing system, not anything else. I have one device running 1.2.1 and one updated to 1.2.2. They are identical in their need for and response to this change in settings for Opera Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. I have tried every other browser. This is definitely the only one that works. Thanks so much for the info.
lz199366 said:
Could you share your Opera Mobile.apk? I can't get opera 12.1.0 install on my NST(firmware1.1.2).
Besides, which app did you use to take screenshot in Black&White color ? I tried screenshot ER before. It is good but producing shots in colors only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera Mobile: https://ftp.opera.com/pub/opera/android/mobile/1210/
For screenshots, I made two apps. The original produces slightly gray b&w images. The second gives better quality color images. Here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/themes-apps/app-screenshot-t3648855. When I post images I always convert to greyscale anyway since that's what will be seen on the device.
That older firmware may be a problem. B&N did actually have reasons to update firmware now and then. If the Opera Mobile will not run you might try Opera Classic. Some people said it worked for them.
Some additional discoveries
Just a bump to bring this post back up again. I've done some additional tests with different settings lately and have improved the connection success rate quite a bit. Changes reflected now in the original post.
Since you're bumping the thread maybe you can help me with a problem? I think I've tried this APK on my last three Nooks (Glowlight Plus, NG3, and now Glowlight Plus 7.8) and every time I launch Opera Classic from my launcher I get a short splash screen that says "Opera Mobile" and then it immediately dies. Nothing shows in my "running process" screen either (so it's not just hidden in the background).
Any idea where to start looking as far as logs, etc. go? I've never really had much use for a browser on a Nook before, but with the 7.8" display my interest is somewhat piqued again...
spedinfargo said:
Since you're bumping the thread maybe you can help me with a problem? I think I've tried this APK on my last three Nooks (Glowlight Plus, NG3, and now Glowlight Plus 7.8) and every time I launch Opera Classic from my launcher I get a short splash screen that says "Opera Mobile" and then it immediately dies. Nothing shows in my "running process" screen either (so it's not just hidden in the background).
Any idea where to start looking as far as logs, etc. go? I've never really had much use for a browser on a Nook before, but with the 7.8" display my interest is somewhat piqued again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm.....first, this is Opera Mobile 12.1, not Opera Classic, although I don't think that is the issue. Not sure about the Glowlight Plus, but I think the others run at least KitKat? My first suspicion was that Opera Mobile (or Opera Classic) might be too old for those devices, but I just tried installing it on my SIM-less KitKat "phone" and it did just fine.
So maybe screen density? It's hard to know. Like @Renate NST says, a logcat might reveal the cause of the crash--or not. Meanwhile I should think that with a KitKat device there must be a number of more modern browsers that would work OK. I recommend Via Browser. Slick and simple, small footprint. Requires Android 2.3 and up (too bad the NST just missed it...). I run it on my Oreo 8.1 tablet and love it.
nmyshkin said:
Mmm.....first, this is Opera Mobile 12.1, not Opera Classic, although I don't think that is the issue. Not sure about the Glowlight Plus, but I think the others run at least KitKat? My first suspicion was that Opera Mobile (or Opera Classic) might be too old for those devices, but I just tried installing it on my SIM-less KitKat "phone" and it did just fine.
So maybe screen density? It's hard to know. Like @Renate NST says, a logcat might reveal the cause of the crash--or not. Meanwhile I should think that with a KitKat device there must be a number of more modern browsers that would work OK. I recommend Via Browser. Slick and simple, small footprint. Requires Android 2.3 and up (too bad the NST just missed it...). I run it on my Oreo 8.1 tablet and love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, I forgot that the original NGP was where the jump to KitKat occurred which opened up more options for apps. I'm going to give Via a try - thanks for the quick response!
First problem:
Our (at least my) /system/lib/libgui.so does not have
status_t GraphicBuffer::lock(GGLSurface* sur, uint32_t usage)
The Opera libOS15.so requires it
Eclair had this function, I don't think KitKat has it.
I think this Opera "Opera_Mobile_12_1_Generic_Opera_Armv5v7.apk" was designed for Eclair and uses stuff no longer in KitKat.
You need to find a different APK.
@myshkin Once again, you've answered one of my questions before I asked it! I am going to use an NST to interact with my online scheduler for a sweet e-ink, easy on the eyes, scheduling unit.
First I want to thank for well written guide how to set things up to make any browser (in this case obviously Opera) working on NST. I read several threads about browsers and wondered how those could be solved. It seems to me that some of those problems could be solved using web grabber or offline browser or some of those plugins that redirects to cached version of the web page on Wayback machine (Brave browser is gone incorporate that option so I have been told). Naturally that might work for reading cached content on NST inside your browser if it supports page rendering and so. Still for pages that need user/reader interaction that won't solve anything. Would application like Gapps browser resolve at least some of the issues you experience? It should run on Eclair but I am not sure will it run on NST. That need to be tested.
SJT75 said:
First I want to thank for well written guide how to set things up to make any browser (in this case obviously Opera) working on NST. I read several threads about browsers and wondered how those could be solved. It seems to me that some of those problems could be solved using web grabber or offline browser or some of those plugins that redirects to cached version of the web page on Wayback machine (Brave browser is gone incorporate that option so I have been told). Naturally that might work for reading cached content on NST inside your browser if it supports page rendering and so. Still for pages that need user/reader interaction that won't solve anything. Would application like Gapps browser resolve at least some of the issues you experience? It should run on Eclair but I am not sure will it run on NST. That need to be tested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had never heard of Gapps browser but I can tell you now that it does not work properly on the NST. It never gets past a partial, immobile screen of Google News. None of the other options do anything at all.
While I still prefer Opera Mobile for general browsing and value its ability to open local HTML files (something I have exploited in a number of my news apps), Opera Mini 7.6.4 also functions on the NST and can skirt around some of the SSL issues because the pages are initially picked up by Opera's up-to-date servers, rendered, and then passed on to the user. However, sites with complex constructions and modern WebView requirements will not display properly, if at all. Opera Mini also has a "picker" that will allow you to open media files (like videos) in an external player. This is something Opera Mobile will not do. It just refuses to deal with them at all.
On the whole, the browser issue is the proverbial straw for the camel's back when it comes to older Android OS. I have seen this working with KitKat ROMs where already many sites cannot be accessed because of the outdated WebView. Lollipop, which is the first OS version with a WebView that can be updated, is a little better. But custom ROMs (or ROMs like on the NST) that are not properly updated for SSL are never going to be able to hold on forever in this regard.
Thanks for thorough reply. I fear that it is not only updates of the software that is hampering factor but very nature of e-ink devices that hold us back. Even Kindles from Amazon have the issues in that regard and it is certainly not from lack of funding that firm can provide to solve the problem. That is why I mentioned web grabber approach. As last resort someone might try to print some web page as PDF for later reading but that would not solve problems like logging in some web services etc. I even considered text based browsers as alternative. My friend who is proficient in programming, web administration and computer related stuff said me the same thing as you did that Opera is by far best browser for mobile device.

Categories

Resources