This morning, Opera Software, the makers of the popular mobile browser, went ahead and announced their purchasing of Skyfire. For now, Skyfire will still operate as an independent entity and continue to develop and support Skyfire Browser for its users. Over the next year and the years following, Opera wants to be able to utilize Skyfire’s ability to make video work on mobile browsers and would like to see the two companies create services together. 

The CEO of Opera, Lars Boilesen, gave the following quote in a press release.

Both companies have evolved far beyond their browser roots. Skyfire adds capabilities to our portfolio around video, app optimization, smartphones and tablets, and strength in North America. With video expected to consume over two-thirds of global mobile bandwidth by 2015, and as time spent on Android and iOS apps explodes, we are excited to extend Opera’s solutions for operators.

The deal is set to take effect in March of this year, to the tune of $155 million in cash and stock. For further details, check out the press release below.

Mountain View, California and Oslo, Norway — February 15, 2013

Opera Software announced today that it has acquired Silicon Valley based Skyfire Labs, a leader in mobile video optimization and cloud solutions for mobility.

Skyfire, headquartered in Mountain View, California, is known for its Rocket Optimizer™ software. This allows mobile operators to leverage cloud computing to optimize virtually any video and other multimedia on crowded cell towers, including 3G and 4G LTE networks. Rocket Optimizer on average provides mobile networks a 60 percent boost in capacity by reducing the size of video and other multimedia content as needed to fit the available bandwidth. Skyfire can detect when specific users are facing poor quality of experience or connections that need assistance, and intervene in milliseconds. This can minimize the long start times, rebuffering, and stalls on video and audio streams that frustrate mobile users around the world. The approach aligns with the trend toward SDN (software-defined networking) and NFV (network function virtualization) among telecommunications operators, thanks to its elastic and virtualization-friendly cloud architecture.

Skyfire also offers Skyfire Horizon™, a mobile browser extension and toolbar platform that allows users to personalize their smartphone browser and operators to gain new monetization opportunities. Skyfire has honed its technology through a variety of top-selling consumer applications, which have more than 20 million worldwide downloads to date.

Skyfire currently counts three large U.S. mobile operators as customers for its Rocket Optimizer and Skyfire Horizon solutions, and is in trials with ten other operators around the world.

“Opera and Skyfire are a natural fit,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. “Both companies have evolved far beyond their browser roots. Skyfire adds capabilities to our portfolio around video, app optimization, smartphones and tablets, and strength in North America. With video expected to consume over two-thirds of global mobile bandwidth by 2015, and as time spent on Android and iOS apps explodes, we are excited to extend Opera’s solutions for operators.”

“Opera practically invented cloud compression to improve mobile user experience, and the team at Skyfire is proud to join forces and advance cloud solutions together,” said Jeffrey Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “Opera’s over 100 carrier relationships, global sales team, and delivery organization can accelerate the global commercialization of Skyfire’s technology. Opera´s Mediaworks advertising unit with AdMarvel, Mobile Theory and 4th Screen Advertising will strengthen Skyfire Horizon by offering mobile operators a complete turnkey solution including ad optimization, ad sales, and rich analytics. The synergies across all the product lines for both companies are tremendous.”

After the deal closes, Glueck will assume the role of EVP of the Operator Business for Opera, as well as CEO of Skyfire, and will oversee the joint offerings for Opera across Opera Mini co-brand solutions for Operators and Skyfire’s product lines. Skyfire will remain an independent entity as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Opera, and will continue to develop and support the Skyfire browser.

The two companies envision a powerful new set of joint products to be released over the coming year by combining their talents and know-how. In particular, they look to expand on Opera’s Web Pass offering, which allows consumers to purchase innovative data plans such as an unlimited ‘day pass’ of popular apps and web sites for an affordable price, thanks to video and data optimization. WebPass can enable new business models for operators, such as toll free data, ad-supported data, and more.

“The market opportunity for video/media optimization solutions geared towards operators and consumers is significant. After a thorough evaluation of this market, we strongly believe Skyfire is the clear leader for the future in this space”, said Erik Harrell, CFO/CSO of Opera.

The acquisition price includes a mix of cash and stock, with an upfront consideration of US$50 million (including US$8 million of cash on the Skyfire balance sheet) and performance based earn-out payments over three years, including US$26 million in cash held in escrow and funded upfront, that can bring the total deal size to $155 million.

The Opera acquisition of Skyfire is expected to close before March 15, 2013.

Opera Software Acquires Skyfire Browser For $155 Million is a post from: Droid Life

Skyfire came out with a set of numbers today showing that smartphone users can save up to $120 a year by using data efficient apps like their browser. If you recall our post showing Verizon’s data calculator, you can see that streaming video is what’s going to be really eating up your data on a month to month basis, but with Skyfire’s “Instant Optimization” video process, which compresses data by 75%, they can save you a ton on your monthly bill.

When watching video though their toolbar, Skyfire slims down data use exponentially, which is a good thing since Cisco is reporting that 53% of all data use in wireless networks in 2011 will come from video.

Luckily for most of the readers of this site who are existing Verizon customers, data gobbling won’t affect you.  We can’t say the same for new VZW customers though or anyone stuck on AT&T who will have to worry about spending 200MB of data on a single HD video.  Neat little infographic on data consumption can be found after the break.   

Skyfire Saves Smartphone Users Hundreds of Dollars as Wireless Carriers Impose Data Caps and Price Tiers

Skyfire’s cloud-based video optimization compresses videos by an average of 75% — helping users watch more video while minimizing data overage charges.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (June 23rd, 2011) – Today Skyfire, maker of the award-winning and popular mobile browser, releases new numbers on how much smartphone users can save through apps like the Skyfire Browser which allow radically more efficient data usage. After 7.5 million downloads across all platforms — Android, iPhone, and iPad — Skyfire has achieved over 75% average data savings when watching web video through the Skyfire toolbar, which performs “Instant Optimization” on videos from over 200,000 web sites. This feature can save Android users hundreds of dollars over the course of their wireless contract.

U.S. wireless carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile have put in place data caps and tiered data plans. Rumors abound that Verizon will shortly impose data caps. And for years, European and Asian consumers have “paid by the drink,” with expensive “metered” charges on their data use.

Data from Cisco indicates that 53% of all data use in wireless networks in 2011 will come from video. Even a single high-quality video can burn through a subscriber’s entire 200 MB typical base data plan.

The average wireless user consumes 582 megabytes (MB) on Android and 492 MB on iOS per month, according to a 2011 study from Nielsen. Unfortunately, many carrier data plans charge significantly more once users pass the 200 MB mark: $10 to $20 or more in extra fees per month. Using the Skyfire browser can help users minimize or avoid these extra charges while still watching four times as much video. With Skyfire’s ability to significantly reduce data usage, the average mobile user now has the realistic choice of choosing a less costly 200/250 MB data plan rather than having to opt into the more expensive tier of data plans.

A recently released Nielson poll showed that the average smartphone user watched 3.25 hours of mobile video each month in 2010. In a video data consumption test, Skyfire allowed the average user to watch 4.5 hours of video per month, while staying below the baseline 200 MB data cap. For this reason, the one-time in-app purchase of a Skyfire mobile browser ($2.99) can save an average Android user from $120 to $240 annually in data charges. (This comparison is based on current AT&T and T-Mobile data plan pricing.  Specific pricing for other carriers around the world will vary.)

”With today’s global economy, consumers still need ways to save money,” said Jeffrey Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “Skyfire helps protect users from surprise data charges.  Users struggle with these new charges as there are no labels warning how much any given video will burn off their plan.  Skyfire is putting the ‘smart’ back in smartphone browsing.”

Download Skyfire 4.0 here:  Market Link

Skyfire Is Looking To Save Android Users Money As Carriers Impose Tiered Data Plans is a post from: Droid Life

A new Skyfire (version 4.0) will be introduced today and includes a boatload of new features to make this a truly all-in-one browser experience.  In this latest update, users will notice a customizable “Skybar” with new Groupon, Twitter, Sports, News, Finance and Google Reader integration to go along with Facebook, Like, and Video options.

The biggest news here is the fact that Skyfire will be asking $2.99 for their video optimization feature going forward.  Before you freak out though, they’ve informed us that their current 3 million users will all be grandfathered in and will not have to pay the one-time fee.  Also, they are offering all Verizon customers the chance to get the fully featured Skyfire for free for a limited amount of time.  You can find it in the VZW section of the Android Market.  

Market Link

Skyfire Launches 4.0 Version of its Popular Android Mobile Browser with Eight New Killer Features

Skyfire Unveils Customizable SkyBar With Twitter, Groupon and Google Reader Integration; Converts Video Feature to Premium In-App Option for New Users

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (April 21st, 2011) – Today Skyfire, maker of the award-winning and popular mobile browser, announces the release of Skyfire 4.0 for Android — its highly anticipated next-generation Android browser. Skyfire 4.0 for Android allows users to personalize their SkyBar^TM toolbar, while adding eight new SkyBar features. While the basic browser and toolbar will remain free to Android users, Skyfire is also introducing a premium in-app purchase to enable its Video feature, which draws on Skyfire’s cloud-based servers to optimize videos from across the web.  As a thank you to over 3 million early beta users of the app, all existing users will be “grandfathered” in for free access for the lifetime of their device.

Skyfire’s SkyBar toolbar is now scrollable and customizable, allowing for a larger and more personalized number of features to be positioned on the toolbar. Beyond the‘Video’, ‘Facebook’, ‘Fireplace’, ‘Popular’, ‘Ideas’ & ‘Like’ buttons, Skyfire has added full Twitter, Groupon and Google Reader integration, a ‘Share’ button, Sports, News and Finance feeds, and a ‘Settings’ button.

Skyfire for Android is one of the most popular applications in the Android Market and has seen over 3 million downloads since launching in April 2010. The mobile browser was upgraded to critical acclaim in November 2010 with integrated social media and Facebook capabilities, and the app currently has a user rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible five stars, based on tens of thousands of reviews in the Android Market. This latest update will continue to build on Skyfire’s strong track record of innovation.

With v4.0, Skyfire for Android will begin offering its video optimization as an optional $2.99 premium feature, unlocked via an in-app purchase after a three day free trial. The feature pays for itself for most users around the world by allowing users to watch more video with less data usage (where users have capped or metered data plans), as well as increasing battery life.

As part of a special, limited time offer, Skyfire is offering the video optimization feature free to all Verizon customers downloading Skyfire 4.0 for Android.  Skyfire will be available in the VCast^TM Apps section of the Android Market for Verizon users during this promotion.

Skyfire 4.0 for Android, including the video optimization feature, will remain free for all of the over 3 million beta testers around the globe who have used the app to date, in gratitude for their support in helping Skyfire grow and improve.

“With Skyfire 4.0 for Android, we’re enabling users to customize their browser toolbar to fit their interests, from sports, to social networks, to finance, news, and local deals,” said Jeff Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “While the basic browser will remain free, with the launch of Google’s Android In-App purchase platform, the time has come to make our video cloud acceleration service a premium feature that reflects the investment we make to support each user in our cloud.  We deliver state-of-the art web video tuned to your current mobile connection bandwidth, saving 75% on average data loads. For users who enjoy web video, or who are on metered data, the service can pay for itself in the first month of use.

New Features in Skyfire 4.0 for Android include:

• Customizable SkyBar – Skyfire’s toolbar is now configurable and expandable, enabling users to create their own flavor of Skyfire experience.  With the new scrollable SkyBar, users now have access to fourteen Skyfire features and have the ability to enable, disable and position each button as they see fit.

• New SkyBar Features –Skyfire has added eight new features:

o   Twitter – Login to the ‘Twitter’ Button to have one-touch access to Twitter streams.  Tweet, search, and check in with the Twittersphere without leaving the Skyfire browser.  (And yes, watch videos shared on Twitter with just one click.)

o   Groupon – With the ‘Groupon’ Button, the SkyBar is now delivering nearby deals so you can do a quick check on the deal of the day at all times.

o   Share – Easily share websites, articles, pictures & videos with the touch of the ‘Share’ button, a feature previously accessible through the Skyfire menu.

o   Google Reader – Use the ‘Google Reader’ Button to keep up with feeds from your favorite sites.  Google Reader keeps you in the know by constantly checking your favorite news sites and blogs for new content.

o   Sports, News & Finance – Three new buttons, ‘Sports’, ‘News’ & ‘Finance’, have been added to the SkyBar to bring one-touch access to the latest events.

o   Settings – The ‘Settings’ button could easily be labeled the ‘Customize’ button.  Use this to enable, disable or position SkyBar features to your personal preferences.

• General Tips – We’ve added a host of new in-browser tips, tricks & tutorials to help users get them most out of browsing with Skyfire.

Download Skyfire 4.0 for Android today here: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.skyfire.browser

About Skyfire:

Skyfire is dedicated to using cloud computing to improve multimedia experiences on mobile phones, and has created the first “Compression as a Service” (CAAS) offering for wireless carriers and device makers.  Skyfire’s technology has been visible to consumers through the Skyfire browser app, which has enabled Skyfire to refine its technology with millions of users.

The app was named the #2 App of All-Time for Android by TechCrunch, and was the top pick in a PC World September 2010 comparison of all Android browsers. Skyfire won the Best Mobile Application-People’s Voice at the 2009 Webby Awards and was named a Top App of 2009 by the New York Times’ Gadgetwise. Skyfire’s iPhone browser, launched in November 2010, quickly reached the top selling app rank on the Apple App Store^SM, as the first way for iOS users to access videos designed for the Adobe Flash Player^TM. Skyfire was recently recognized by Light Reading as the #4 StartUp to watch in 2011.

Skyfire is based in Mountain View, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.  For more information, visit www.skyfire.com, www.facebook.com/getskyfire.android or follow Skyfire on Twitter at twitter.com/skyfire.

Skyfire 4.0 Released on Android, Premium Video Feature FREE to Verizon Customers is a post from: Droid Life

Skyfire version 4.0 which the company is calling their “Pro Edition” should be out in the coming weeks and is expected to be as good as ever.  With over 2.5 million downloads of their browser, it looks like the company has decided that it’s time to monetize it with some sort of a pricing model.  There will also be a new look and a bunch of “killer” features, that we have not yet been informed of.  This is an odd press release, I’m not going to lie.  I guess this would fall under the “teaser” category?

Anyone a big Skyfire user?  

Skyfire Preparing Major Update for Their Popular Android Browser with New Features and Pricing Model

Skyfire focused on bringing greater personalization and customization to the Android browsing experience.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (March 10th, 2011) – Skyfire, the company that brought you the most innovative smartphone application of 2010, is at it again in 2011. The red-hot Skyfire mobile browser on Android is about to get a whole new look, pricing model and killer features.

Skyfire for Android is one of the most popular applications in the Android Marketplace and has seen over 2.5 million downloads since launching in April 2010. The mobile browser was upgraded to critical acclaim in November 2010 with integrated social media and Facebook capabilities. This latest update will continue to build on Skyfire’s strong track record of innovation.

The company is expecting to announce Skyfire for Android version 4.0 in the coming weeks. All existing features will remain free to the 2.5 million beta testers across the globe and these users will continue to receive Skyfire’s innovative updates moving forward in gratitude for their help and support in the launch of the product.

Download Skyfire 3.0 for Android today: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.skyfire.browser
About Skyfire:

Skyfire is dedicated to using cloud computing to improve multimedia experiences on mobile phones, and has created the first “Compression as a Service” (CAAS) offering for wireless carriers and device makers. Skyfire’s technology has been visible to consumers through the Skyfire browser app, which has enabled Skyfire to refine its technology with millions of users.

The app was named the #2 App of All-Time for Android by TechCrunch, and was the top pick in a PC World September 2010 comparison of all Android browsers. Skyfire won the Best Mobile Application-People’s Voice at the 2009 Webby Awards and was named a Top App of 2009 by the New York Times’ Gadgetwise. Skyfire’s iPhone browser, launched in November 2010, quickly reached the top selling app rank on the Apple App StoreSM, as the first way for iOS users to access videos designed for the Adobe Flash PlayerTM. Skyfire was recently recognized by Light Reading as the #4 StartUp to watch in 2011.

Skyfire is based in Mountain View, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.skyfire.com, or follow Skyfire on Twitter at twitter.com/skyfire.

Skyfire Version 4.0 “Pro Edition” on the Way, New Pricing Model and UI Enhancements is a post from: Droid Life

How have we not asked this question yet?  Shame on us.  With so many quality options out there for your Android browsing pleasure, we’d love to hear what your favorite is.  Is it Skyfire and their interesting take on Flash videos?  Firefox and their ever-evolving mobile version?  Dolphin, the standard?  Is xScope the innovator?  Or are we missing something fabulous altogether?

Let us know which browser you prefer, but beyond that, we want to know why it’s your favorite.  Why is this the browser for you?  If you could change anything in a browser, what would it be?

Thursday Poll: What is your favorite Android Browser? is a post from: Droid Life

Skyfire announced today that they’ve hit 1 million downloads putting them in the top 0.02% of all products in the Android Market.  We’re talking pretty elite company here.  You may remember Skyfire as our savior during those days when Android 2.2 release dates were still just rumors and we had almost zero opportunity to enjoy Flash video on websites.

They also announced today that their browser now works on the Droid X, Droid 2 and Incredible which were previously not supported.  Why would you use it over Flash in the stock Android browser?  Skyfire claims to save you up to 75% bandwidth over actual Flash.  Interesting enough.

Full press release after the jump.  

Skyfire Notches One Million Downloads of its Android Mobile Browser with New Compatibility for Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Droid X, Droid 2 and HTC EVO 4G Handsets

Browser built for the social media generation quickly becomes one of the most popular apps on the Android Platform

Mountain View, Calif. – September 14, 2010 –Android users want the best of the Internet, which means all their favorite websites and videos. This is why now over one million consumers have downloaded mobile browser Skyfire that optimizes Flash video content and brings it to Android devices worldwide. Today Skyfire announces that it has become one of the most popular Android apps, placing it in the top .02 percent of all products in the Android Marketplace.

Additionally the company announces expanded availability to newer Android devices. . Now the browser works on popular Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Epic, Motorola Droid X and Droid 2, HTC Incredible and EVO 4G. Skyfire works alongside the latest Android 2.2 update to ensure Flash video is always just a click away, regardless of network connectivity. For those with devices that do not have the Android 2.2 update (2.1 and below), Skyfire opens the door to millions of previously inaccessible Flash videos.

Skyfire for Android took mobile browsing to a new level with the addition of the SkyBar™, a cloud-enabled toolbar that lets users enjoy millions of videos previously unavailable on mobile, discover the latest buzz on any topic they browse, and easily share content to their social networks. The company has since released several updates that make the browser faster, smarter and data optimized.

Skyfire’s advanced cloud computing technology not only enables the features above, but also reduces mobile video data consumption by an average of 75 percent. According to a recent Cisco study, mobile video streaming is expected to increase by over 6000 percent by 2012. As consumers gain an optimized video streaming experience on mobile with Skyfire, mobile carriers are presented an opportunity to offload the impending mobile video data burden causing dropped calls and poor reception and clogged bandwith in major metropolitan areas.

Skyfire (2.3.2) for Android is available for download worldwide for free at get.skyfire.com.

Grab it now if you haven’t checked out the latest version.

Skyfire Hits 1 Million Downloads, Adds Compatibility for DROID X, 2 and Incredible is a post from: Droid Life

Sorry for the delayed post on this, but we’ve been a little busy playing with a new toy or two.  We are back now though!  And Skyfire 2.0 beta is what the people have called for!

If you are new to the Skyfire game, please ignore this post we did which included the leaked Skyfire beta.  Why you ask?  Because that version was almost pre-alpha compared to this latest release.  And yes, the new version includes the ability to play Flash video (sort of).  It does it in a round about way, but it definitely gets the job done.

There is one flaw though…the multi-touch is awful.  Is it a deal breaker?  Maybe.  See for yourself…

Download…

Download Link

Video: Skyfire Beta 2.0 in Action is a post from: Droid Life

I know how much you all love to get a hold of anything “beta” for Android and if you missed the Skyfire signup period last month then this one may have slipped by.  Luckily, our readers are the best and dropped us the .apk almost 2 days ago! (Sorry for the delay in releasing it to you!)

No review from me on this one as it’s appears to be a knock-off of Opera Mini 5 browser which did not receive the greatest of reviews from us.  There is no multi-touch, but it seems to run fairly fast.  I do like the multi-window view.  Give it a whirl.

*Note* – This appears to be incompatible with Cyanogen 5.0.6.2 or JRummy v.6.

Download: SkyFire Beta 16694.apk (alt link)

Cheers Rocky!

Download: Skyfire Beta is a post from: Droid Life