Skyfire 1.0 Browser, MyKidisSafe, New Devices

The impressive free browser Skyfire recently reached version 1.0, with a range of improvements. This week we’ll also look at some great parental control software for Windows Mobile phones and reviews of some new models.

Skyfire 1.0 Browser Released

Skyfire is the only browser with full support of Flash 10 and other Web 2.0 technologies such as Silverlight, Ajax, and Quicktime. What’s this mean to you? You can enjoy websites such as Hulu, a video streaming site, and Google Docs on your Windows Mobile phone device.

Skyfire is free and has as it is goal to let you access the entire web, including those sites that often don’t work on mobile devices. Improvements in this version include faster startup, improved zoom, enhanced navigation, and easier sharing of items to social networks.

This video giveis you a good idea how Skyfire works.

You can download it at get.skyfire.com.

Video Review of Touch Pro2, Photos of Toshiba TG01

The HTC Touch Pro2, with its 3D TouchFlo interface and slideout QWERTY keyboard, promises to be one of the most popular Windows Mobile devices. PocketNow has posted a video that gives you a hardware tour of this device, which has a 3.6-inch, 800x480 screen, aGPS, FM radio, an accelerometer, and Wi-Fi.

The video includes a demonstration of Straight Talk, a sophisticated speakerphone feature that includes noise cancellation, mute button, and automatic activation when you turn the phone on its face.

This device will ship with Windows Mobile 6.1 but will be upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6.5. By the way, PocketNow has a list of devices that will be upgradeable to 6.5. They’ve also posted a roundup of their WM 6.5 coverage.

And speaking of new devices, the Toshiba TG01 is remarkable in that it has a 1 Ghz processor, is thinner than almost any other device — and has 4.1-inch WVGA screen (compared, say, to the iPhone’s 3.5-inch display).

the::unwired has posted photos of this device. You can get the full specs on it at PDAdb.net.

MyKidisSafe Parental Control

Your kids will hate this software/service, but I think for a concerned parent, MyKidisSafe is essential. You can control almost every facet of their cell phone use, such as blocking use of it while they’re driving or blocking outbound SMS while driving.

You can also use it to notify you if the vehicle is speeding or to locate your kid. And here’s a neat twist: you can configure it so that if you call your child’s cell phone, the phone is blocked from making or receiving calls until he or she calls you back. It also includes a wide range of monitoring functions as well as other similar controls.

The company says that the software is designed by parents for parents. Currently they're looking for beta testers, who will get the service free for life. After that period is over, it will be monthly subscription of $6.95 for the
first phone and $9.95 for three. Sign up on their website.