Skyfire acquires Android browser maker kolbysoft

Mobile browser developer Skyfire announced its acquisition of kolbysoft, creators of the Steel browser for Google's Android mobile operating system. Financial details were not disclosed. The move extends the Skyfire browser to the Android ecosystem--the current Skyfire v1.5 is available across hundreds of smartphones running Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60. According to Skyfire, its browser relies on cloud-computing technology to offer users access to all web content, including Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight video. Skyfire also credits cloud rendering and compression for boosting the speed of complex websites, optimizing delivery of mobile video and content while minimizing the strain on operator networks.

kolbysoft founder Michael Kolb will sign on as chief client architect across all of the platforms Skyfire supports; Kolb adds that users of the existing Steel browser will continue to be able to use the current version, but will be offered upgrades to Skyfire Android upon its release.

For more on the Skyfire/kolbysoft deal:
- read this release

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