PPC Addict Review: NetFront Version 3.1

Brad Isaac · #1 05-13-2004, 01:05 PM

I recently became unsatisfied with my browsing experience on both my desktop and Pocket PC devices. On my desktop, I felt I was lumbering along, using IE, opening multiple windows, dealing with RAM problems, etc. On the Pocket PC, it was just slow, difficult to read and boring. For the desktop, I decided to seek out a new browser. Maybe I would go back to Netscape which I haven't used for 6 years or so. Or perhaps Mozilla. To make a long story short, I tried all sorts of browsers looking for the one that was "Just right" . My search took me from Netscape (clunky), to Mozilla firefox (fragile and unpredictable), to Avant (free but memory holed) Finally settled on Opera browser and I have never looked back.
The problem with getting a nice, fast and memory efficient tabbed browser like Opera is that PIE seems all the MORE clunky, slow and boring. Enter ACCESS's NetFront v3.1 Browser for Pocket PC. Bk and some other forum members were discussing the new release of MultiIE here on Pocket PC Addict when someone mentioned NetFront 3.1 as being a great all around browser.
Well, I was interested because I had briefly tried Netfront a long time ago, during a prior build. I cannot remember why I removed it from my device, but it seemed I loaded it up and found the pages harder to read than in normal PIE (you'll learn more about this later). Anyway, I was curious how I missed the boat the first time around and didn't see the "magic" that others did with this browser. Time for a do over.
I installed Netfront in the typical manner. Just download, double click and decide where it needs to go. I've heard grumblings that it must be installed in main memory. So that's where I put it.
Eagerly, I launched Netfront to take PPCA for a spin and BAMM, the formatting was way off and difficult to read again.

I went to settings this time and found the "Smart browse" function and selected it. Reloaded the front page and - well - it was formatted poorly again. :? Umm..I was about to curse BK for wasting my time, when I decided to go to the view menu. Sure enough, there was a "Smart browse" selection there as well. I chose that and suddenly, the lights came on. Pocket PC Addict was formatted just perfectly for the small screen.
I scrolled down the page and found that the downloads script that scrolls the downloads worked! It was scrolling right along. I tried some other pages like CNN.com and Google.com. They formatted properly and some loaded downright fast! Low and behold my first impression was it seemed almost like running a desktop browser on my Pocket PC.

My Opera Forums on Netfront - Look at that formatting!
Netfront, like Opera and Firefox, is a tabbed browser. For those of you who aren't familiar with a tabbed browser, what that means is each time you open another page, instead of it opening a brand new browser like with IE, it uses the same program window and simply opens a new tab. See the top of the picture below to see what I mean.
Using a tabbed browser is more efficent that switching from program to program, and as I will demonstrate, it makes your browsing experience fast, very fast.

Switch between your tabbed pages (see tabs at top of screen)
Here's the trick I use to boost my browsing speed. I like to queue up my pages to read as I go along. So what I'll do is tap and hold a link on the page and hit "open link in new window" then I'll quickly hit the tab for the main page again while the next page is loading. and repeat the step above to open a new tab and then I repeat that method to get a few other pages queued up. Now it's simply a matter of clicking between the tabs to have all the articles handy. This form of multitasking really optimizes the speed at which you can read your web pages.

I've mentioned formatting, and tabbed browsing, how about speed? Well the speed of this browser is superior to the other browsers and IE plug-in browers I have tried. Typically, I used to run PIE Plus and PIE without pictures enabled, because it allowed for faster speeds. NetFront loads pages with pictures faster than the others with pictures disabled. It is faster than multiIE and easier to read. PIE Plus has the formatting down, but the speed is based on PIE, so it's slow.
Features, there are quite a few features built into Netfront, unfortunately, some aren't as easy to get to as I'd like. However, they are still nice. There is two toolbars. One is for Google search, the other is for Page search. I mentioned the Java compatibility above. There is also a feature called auto-cruise where you can add a homepage or pages to a sort of queue and it will download the whole page at the time of your choosing. Might be handy for news sites. There is also a "scroll mode" setting that seems to disable all the links on a page, so you can read without accidentally hitting a link. Since I scroll with the jog dial on the PPC I often end up accidentally clicking a link and it's annoying to interrupt what I am reading to have to grab the stylus and click "back"

Feature: PPCAddict's Downloads Scroll just like on the desktop!
Set NetFront to view Fullscreen for more browsing space:

Before............................................ ...........................After
Posting to a forum thread with smilies and PHPBB tags:

If you find that BK's post is too hard to read, try Zooming in on it

:

Before............................................ ...........................After
When the browser senses a pop-up of some sort it prompts you for what you want to do. Here, it looks like a private message has arrived from one of the Pocket PC Addict members

I just hit OK and it will take me to my Private Messages.

Pop-up script detected. Blocks ads or lets you see private messages
You can even save images from web sites you visit:

Bugs and Wishes:
As strong as Netfront is, it isn't without its flaws. I think it would be much better if they included a homepage icon on the task bar in place of the disk icon (add to favorites). Instead, "Home" is buried under the file menu. I'd much rather tap and hold a page to add it to favorites than use an icon. And I'd much rather tap a homepage icon than have to weed down a menu. Also intuitive-wise what throws me every time is when I want to enable the google search toolbar, I go to the tools menu and it isn't there, instead this "tool" is under the view menu. Also, it seems to me that the option like "start auto cruise" makes more sense under the tools menu as well, yet it's under the "File" menu.
I've also noticed that sometimes pages do not refresh as expected. Since I am launching my Pocket Browser more now that Netfront is installed, I notice that the story I just posted to PocketPCAddict isn't showing up. I hit the refresh button at the bottom and it is there. Perhaps it loads a cached page so the browser launches faster - which it does launch fast - but it would be nice if it detected an update and loaded that instead.
Pros:
Fast
Great small screen page formatting
Integrated Java
Tabbed Browsing environment
Save images
Great site compatibility
Zoom pages
Block Pop-ups or show them
Cons:
Intuitive issues
Page refresh issues
Must install to Main memory
Conclusion:
Candidly, before NetFront 3.1 I did not see a reason to use the Pocket PC for much browsing at all, it was clunky and slow, thus fairly irritating to use for long. Netfront finally makes browsing with the Pocket PC Easy and enjoyable. I actually look forward to using it from the hotel room or before bed at night. It's tabbed features mimic Opera's very well and it's speed make it a pleasure - sometimes even surprising - to use. I recommend it if you are wanting to bring a taste of powerful desktop browsing to your Pocket PC.

bkbroil · #2 05-13-2004, 05:03 PM

Great Review! I love Netfront with my Toshiba in Landscape VGA mode....I can see the whole page without any scrolling...Well worth the money...
Excellent article!

jkendrick · #3 05-13-2004, 07:21 PM

Excellent read, Brad, and right on the money. Just wait until Windows Mobile 2003 SE and you can view those web sites in landscape!
Well done, mate.

jkendrick · #4 05-13-2004, 07:56 PM

Hey Brad, when you gonna get that Toshiba e800?
http://www.pocketpctools.com/modules...rder=0&thold=0

thomasho · #5 05-13-2004, 11:52 PM

I have NetFront installed on my iPAQ 4150, but seldom use it (I seldom browse using the iPAQ). I have it installed onto the Storage Card, and it works well (except for the slightly longer startup time).

csterns · #6 05-14-2004, 09:26 PM

A very timely review as I was in the search mode for such a program. I just started to expand my need to use my PPC for surfing the net and hated the thought of doing so at such a slow pace. Thanks.
Question? I am in transition from California to Florida and will be without internet service for a couple of weeks. I have rerouted all my email to come to me through my MSN account which is why I will be more dependent upon my PPC and the "net" to retrieve my email.
Are there any suggestions one might have for various PPC web friendly sites? How about a better link to retrieve my MSN email besides MSN.com?
Any suggestions you may have for a better experience using my PPC on the net and email retrieval would be most appreciated. Thanks.

bkbroil · #7 05-15-2004, 02:22 AM

Quote:

How about a better link to retrieve my MSN email besides MSN.com?

HttpMail will allow you to retrieve your HTTP mail right in your inbox.
And for web friendly sites check out Pocket PC Magazines list to get web pages formatted for your PPC.
Hope this helps you out..

csterns · #8 05-15-2004, 11:36 AM

I noticed this program says you have to be connected to the internet and appears to just download through active sync. I have a Pocket PC phone with GPRS and have downloaded my Outlook email directly when I am away from my office. Can I do this withH TTP mail?

bkbroil · #9 05-15-2004, 12:25 PM

Quote:

I noticed this program says you have to be connected to the internet and appears to just download through active sync

It's an outlook add in.....so if your using it with your PPC Phone and get your outlook email, this program will allow you to retrieve your MSN email also...

thomasho · #10 05-15-2004, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasho

I have NetFront installed on my iPAQ 4150, but seldom use it (I seldom browse using the iPAQ). I have it installed onto the Storage Card, and it works well (except for the slightly longer startup time).

Well, maybe there is a problem if installing on a storage card. Just right after writing the above message, I found my storage card crashed (everything disappeared). Still trying to rescue it using Pocket Mechanic...

PS. And the last thing I did was add a bookmark in NetFront, and try to move the bookmark from main memory to Storage Card...

Addic · #11 05-16-2004, 11:02 PM

I've had Netfront 3 for a while now, I find it quite quick and the rendering is great. I especially like being able to save images. However I've never made it my default browser as I just can't seem to access/view my advantgo pages with it.
Can anyone shine a bright light/torch of knowledge in my cavern of stupidity here?

jkendrick · #12 05-17-2004, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasho

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasho

I have NetFront installed on my iPAQ 4150, but seldom use it (I seldom browse using the iPAQ). I have it installed onto the Storage Card, and it works well (except for the slightly longer startup time).

Well, maybe there is a problem if installing on a storage card. Just right after writing the above message, I found my storage card crashed (everything disappeared). Still trying to rescue it using Pocket Mechanic...

PS. And the last thing I did was add a bookmark in NetFront, and try to move the bookmark from main memory to Storage Card...

If you're using File Explorer there is a known bug that causes Storage Cards to show no files. The data is still intact and there's a fix discussed in this thread on Tools:
File Explorer bug thread
The best way to avoid this problem in the future is use Resco File Explorer or some other 3rd party program as even though the fix discussed in the above thread fixes the problem it WILL happen again.

galt · #13 05-26-2004, 11:57 PM

How well does the browser handle browsing in landscape mode? Has anyone tested it on a device with a 320 x 240 screen ratio? I guess I'm wondering if the software is flexible enough to format the page so that all you have to do is scroll vertically no matter what size screen or screen orientation?
In particular I'm wondering if this software should work well with the upcoming Motorola MPx...

jkendrick · #14 05-27-2004, 12:07 AM

Well, it doesn't work well with the SE update. Hopefully Access will update it soon.

Addic · #15 06-10-2004, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addic

I just can't seem to access/view my advantgo pages with it.
Can anyone shine a bright light/torch of knowledge in my cavern of stupidity here?

Hurrph, I've just got this feedback from Access developers of Netfront 3 regarding accessing Advantgo channels:
Hi,
Unfortunately,the avantgo channels are not displayed
because NetFront does not support a tag called
" avantgo:// " that Avantgo uses for the downloaded files.
Regards,
Customer support
The Access C/S support forum is available Here

Brad Isaac · #16 06-10-2004, 12:04 PM

Interesting news Addic, it begs the question whether they could or would add support for the tag in the future? hmm...

jkendrick · #17 06-10-2004, 12:06 PM

You would think they would add it with all the announced versions for various phones.

bkbroil · #18 06-10-2004, 12:08 PM

Quote:

begs the question whether they could or would add support for the tag in the future?

Avantgo has been around for so long....it doesn't make sense why it isn't supported...That's crazy.

galt · #19 06-13-2004, 11:09 PM

This might be an ignorant question (I'm not yet a PPC owner), but I noticed that there is an enhanced version of the NetFront browser that supports "JDK1.1 Java applets", would this allow somone to play Yahoo's online java games, like Chess? Or can PPC devices browsers with other browsers already make use of these?

hezahonker · #20 02-21-2005, 07:11 PM

This review was a huge help. I recently began a search for an alternative to pie and fell across this. Thanks Brad. Netfront is just what I was looking for.

Brad Isaac · #21 02-28-2005, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hezahonker

This review was a huge help. I recently began a search for an alternative to pie and fell across this. Thanks Brad. Netfront is just what I was looking for.

Glad you liked it

Tip: If you want to run Netfront in Landscape mode, go to landscape, then launch it. Hit the site(s) you want and then hide the address bar. Ta Da! Landscape mode without the headaches. 8-)

bkbroil · #22 02-28-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Tip: If you want to run Netfront in Landscape mode, go to landscape, then launch it. Hit the site(s) you want and then hide the address bar. Ta Da! Landscape mode without the headaches.

I found that if you launch it in portrait mode and then......switch to landscape mode (after the Netfront logo appears)....then the address bar stays small...that way you don't have to hide the address bar...

Brad Isaac · #23 02-28-2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkbroil

I found that if you launch it in portrait mode and then......switch to landscape mode (after the Netfront logo appears)....then the address bar stays small...that way you don't have to hide the address bar...

Hi Bk, long time no see!

That's interesting, because if I rotate my screen while Netfront is running it stays portrait sized in landscape mode..weird... :?

bkbroil · #24 02-28-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

That's interesting, because if I rotate my screen while Netfront is running it stays portrait sized in landscape mode..weird... icon_confused.gif

Hmmmm....do you have a VGA device....maybe that's the difference....I'm using an Hx 4705

Brad Isaac · #25 02-28-2005, 02:08 PM

No, using a QVGA Axim X30

bkbroil · #26 02-28-2005, 02:21 PM

Yup....that's it....I'm using SE-VGA to get a full screen.....so a correction to the above post:

Quote:

I found that if you launch it in portrait mode and then......switch to landscape mode (after the Netfront logo appears)....then the address bar stays small...that way you don't have to hide the address bar...

Should read:
I found that if you have a VGA device and you are running SE-VGA, then when you launch it in portrait mode and then......switch to landscape mode (after the Netfront logo appears)....then the address bar stays small...that way you don't have to hide the address bar...

ladderless · #27 02-28-2005, 04:30 PM

Just a warning to those who want to do the free trial -- If you decide you don't want to buy it, make sure that you change the default browser back to IE... I didn't, and the trial ran out before I switched it back. Now anytime I tap on a link in an email, Netfront opens up, and says the trial expired.
I haven't been able to figure out how to switch it back to IE... None of the registry teaks I've tried seems to do it.

bkbroil · #28 02-28-2005, 04:56 PM

It's within Netfront....Even though it's expired you should be able to go into "Tools" -> Browser Settings -> "Misc" and uncheck "Set as the default Browser".
I hope this helps.

hezahonker · #29 02-28-2005, 07:24 PM

What if someone already uninstalls Netfront without unchecking. How will they restore this setting? I ask because I unwittingly did this and now my links within my outlook email won't work. Luckly for me I rarely use outlook email on the device, but still this seems freaky. I recently reinstalled netfront to try it again, but won't be able to buy it anytime soon so I am wondering what in the world I can do.

ladderless · #30 03-01-2005, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hezahonker

What if someone already uninstalls Netfront without unchecking. How will they restore this setting? I ask because I unwittingly did this and now my links within my outlook email won't work. Luckly for me I rarely use outlook email on the device, but still this seems freaky. I recently reinstalled netfront to try it again, but won't be able to buy it anytime soon so I am wondering what in the world I can do.

That's EXACTLY my problem... I uninstalled it first, then discovered the problem, and re-installed it... Nothing works -- When it says that the program's trial period has expired, you don;t have access to any of the functions or settings. It just sits there.