[Q] Anyone have good luck using Firefox mobile? - Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Just curious. I've tried it on several different ROMs. Now that I'm on Slim 3.4 ICS, it seems to be responsive enough (was way too slow on the stock Froyo/GB!).
But unless I manually kill the FF process, it constantly uses 4-5% CPU, even after 'closing' the browser.
I'm not sure if this issue is specific to the Captivate, but if it wasn't I would think Mozilla would have fixed it a long time ago...

It worked fine for me when I was using it, but I preferred Chrome Beta. I can't use Chrome now since I went back to a Gingerbread ROM, but Chrome is what I would use.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

I used it a couple of times, but it seems to be made more with tablets in mind. I don't renege my exact issues, but some sites were unreadable practically.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA

I'm still using Dolphin Mini.

using Chrome Beta on aokp. the tabs design is very well.

Yeah, I've tried quite a few different phone browsers.
I use Firefox on PC (tried switching to Chrome a few times, but always end up back with FF), and it seems like using FF mobile is just about the only way to get my bookmarks synced between PC and Android. I haven't tried the Dolphin HD plugin yet that's supposed to sync with FF, but the market reviews don't look to great for it.
I was really hoping I could get Google Bookmarks to sync with any of the Android browsers, since there is a desktop FF plugin that works reasonably well... But syncing Google Bookmarks with any phone browser seems to be impossible at this point. From what I've read, it worked OK up until Google changed something with the interface a few months back. I guess there's not really an API for it.

for your FF proces problem running at 4-5%, try downloading ES Task Manager from the market, give it root privs in the settings then removing firefox from your startup. then all you have to do is click optimiza and it will kill all the non system processes for you. just a little tip

I'm using Opera Mobile 12. It has turbo setting while not on WiFi to minimize network traffic. Fast and compatible with sites and Flash. Not sure about bookmark sync, may be it's there. I think it's fastest and most reliable.

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Setting Default Browser UAString to "Desktop"

Ok I have Froyo 2.2 running on my Captivate but I cannot force the browser to browse pages in desktop mode instead of wap/mobile mode.
I tried about:debug from the browser to change the advanced settings but the UAString value is not displayed in the list at all, the last time is Set JS flags.
Does anyone really know how to set this on 2.2 with the captivate?
-D
you need to mess with the framework-res.apk file.
madjsp said:
you need to mess with the framework-res.apk file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response I was looking for something a little more informative, are you telling me I need to edit files in a package, etc? Just to enable this?
Probably the easier solution would be just to use the Dolphin HD browser and set the user agent to desktop if all you want is to avoid the re-direct to the mobile sites.
I've done that, and Skyfire as well, but I am not sure how flash 10.1 works with the other browsers or if it works with all of them. I know Skyfire intercepts and tries to play them with its only build.
I am also curious why the UAString value is omitted from the debug settings on the default browser to begin with.
I also found that I had to actually manually install 10.1 it was not installed after updating to 2.2
I am also a little disappointed with the sept.11 build of 2.2 I installed, it does not feel faster than the stock 2.1 as a matter of fact web browsing is worse, and so is screen transitioning on the desktop compared to 2.1. Not sure why.
-i have the same problem, i try to load a site and i get the mobile version , and i try the skyfire, dolphin browser hd and nothing ...
eclypse3demons said:
I've done that, and Skyfire as well, but I am not sure how flash 10.1 works with the other browsers or if it works with all of them. I know Skyfire intercepts and tries to play them with its only build.
I am also curious why the UAString value is omitted from the debug settings on the default browser to begin with.
I also found that I had to actually manually install 10.1 it was not installed after updating to 2.2
I am also a little disappointed with the sept.11 build of 2.2 I installed, it does not feel faster than the stock 2.1 as a matter of fact web browsing is worse, and so is screen transitioning on the desktop compared to 2.1. Not sure why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Dolphin HD to watch a full episode of the Daily Show from the website, so I know for a fact flash works with it, and keeps it from re-directing to the mobile site. Must be some kind of EUE.
Open the browser then on the address type:
about:debug
Then go to settings, scroll all the way down and enable normal rendering.
That's it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
LGSilva said:
Open the browser then on the address type:
about:debug
Then go to settings, scroll all the way down and enable normal rendering.
That's it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-don't work!!!
I know Hulu is blocking **** so thats expected but its still detecting Dolphin and Skyfire with the correct Strings set.
I know Flash is working but since 2.1 had some sort of flash support previously its hard if the new one is working if it does not show "HD" options.
Since setting UAString cannot be done via debug menu for the default browser, in 2.2 on the build on my captivate I will just wait it out and see if someone figures it out I guess.
Its odd that even with skyfire set to desktop, that Hulu can detect the version still.
mafiaSIC said:
-don't work!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works for me
not for all sites.
This may be because the website uses other aspects besides just UAString. For instance, even though both a PC and a phone have flash 10.1 I am positive there is still a way for a website to indicate which is a mobile version. Also it can use screen res, IP address (unlikely), and other factors. Most likely it is flash player having its own useragent.
LGSilva said:
Open the browser then on the address type:
about:debug
Then go to settings, scroll all the way down and enable normal rendering.
That's it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to make this clear, which browser are you talking about and can you post a screen shot.
eclypse3demons said:
Just to make this clear, which browser are you talking about and can you post a screen shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-defaut browser. =settings
In regards to the framework-res.apk...
There is an xml file in there that has the user agent string that our phones are using. I don't remember exactly where it is. perhaps framework-res.apk/scripts/???/
Like I said I'm not sure where it is. It is a lot easier to mess with it on stock than it is on Cognition, Sheps, etc.
Hulu will ONLY work if we are able to change that setting. Skyfire, Opera, etc wont because it still has the string settings.
eclypse3demons said:
I've done that, and Skyfire as well, but I am not sure how flash 10.1 works with the other browsers or if it works with all of them. I know Skyfire intercepts and tries to play them with its only build.
I am also curious why the UAString value is omitted from the debug settings on the default browser to begin with.
I also found that I had to actually manually install 10.1 it was not installed after updating to 2.2
I am also a little disappointed with the sept.11 build of 2.2 I installed, it does not feel faster than the stock 2.1 as a matter of fact web browsing is worse, and so is screen transitioning on the desktop compared to 2.1. Not sure why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, there are several things I need to point out about this post
a) flash 10.1 will work with non-stock browsers like Dolphin HD, Skyfire uses it's own method to circumvent flash and I don't believe there's a way around it
b) UAString is omitted probably because there is no real need to change that for most users, and the above method for "enable normal rendering" does prevent redirects to mobile, but it doesn't change the UAString (in mobile, it's more importat to have an option to switch to desktop mode than change the UAString)
c) flash 10.1 was installed across every other person's device running 2.2, likely you had an update in the market, but everyone else who installed 2.2 had it. Also, android 2.2 != flash 10.1. Android 2.2 is the version of the OS capable of running 10.1, but there are requirements and licensing issues, so it doesn't necessarily come preloaded on every 2.2 device
d) where are you getting this "september 11th" build date from? I assume you're looking at kernel version [email protected] #1? that means a user named "jetaek.lee" made a build on a COMPUTER NAMED "sep-11". if you knew how to check build.prop, you would see this build was made on 9/21 and that the "sep-11" name showed up on the 2.1 kernel built in June. And considering it was only leaked at the start of october, it was only a week or two old at the time. I'm sick of people complaining about literally the dumbest thing imaginable.
e) the "laggy browser" issue has already been acknowledged and there is a SIMPLE fix available in the forums, search for it.
FWIW, Skyfire uses both the regular flash 10.1 as well as its own streaming implementation. So, you can use the standard flash for most websites but if there is a flash video that is slow you use the skyfire converted stream.
glitterballs said:
Probably the easier solution would be just to use the Dolphin HD browser and set the user agent to desktop if all you want is to avoid the re-direct to the mobile sites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Yes, I concur
@Kaik541
Well I have only had this phone for 3 days so I cannot say I am an expert on it but I can form a reasonable opinion on the differences in performance in a pre-released leaked version of 2.2 and the stock 2.1 and I am not entirely sure that is complaining about the stupidest thing.
Everything else however you posted I kinda knew but was not sure of hence the post. =)
I agree will prob just stick will Skyfire or Dolphin (although Dolphin worked on fewer sites for me than Skyfire did.)
Will have to see if the release version of 2.2 is optimized.

Google Chrome on Android

No one posted this yet?
It's available on the Android Market for ICS devices
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.android.chrome
APK also available here:
http://min.us/mv2d7nyM6#5o
edit: I screwed up the upload - it only uploaded around 1MB instead of 16MB - fixed now
What do you think of it, performance-wise?
Love it! :-D
Edit: 'till now ;-)
It was posted in the Themes and Apps sectino - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1485686
Running great!!
I compared several pages and it the stock browser still feels like it scrolls smoother and loads considerably faster.
This IS a beta though so improvements in this regard are inevitable.
The fact that there is no Flash support hurts it just a bit too. Once Flash is completely eradicated from the web(I can't wait for that to happen, such a completely inefficient, performance hogging format) it'll be a non-issue though.
going to try this out now. thanks for heads up
Does is work well in Desktop mode? Do websites recognize the mode correctly or does it auto load the mobile page?
kiroiv said:
Does is work well in Desktop mode? Do websites recognize the mode correctly or does it auto load the mobile page?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to change user-agent to desktop.
chrome://flags/ doesn't work. Some of the other chrome:// commands do, none of them have the option to change user-agent.
Does not load or have option to load pages in desktop mode. What is the point in a browser for tablets that loads pages as if they where on a phone.
smegatron said:
Does not load or have option to load pages in desktop mode. What is the point in a browser for tablets that loads pages as if they where on a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fairness, most web developers are taking a shortcut and assuming anything with "android" in the user-agent string is mobile instead of asking the browser for screen dimensions. This is bad but common practice.
The way which was finally added in the ICS browser to work around this is to change the user-agent string platform info to X11 instead of Android.
When you "request desktop site" this is what happens.
Site thinks is mobile: (Linux; U; Android 4.0.3; en-us; Build/ITL41F)
Site thinks is desktop: (X11; Linux x86_64)
This is an inelegant hack. (Though I am surprised it's missing from Chrome for Android)
Ideally, web developers will clue into the existence of tablets and properly handle things.
I find the stock ICS browser to be smoother and more fluid for me....
ZanshinG1 said:
Ideally, web developers will clue into the existence of tablets and properly handle things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When people still design sites/apps for IE6 I wouldn't hold my breath.
Agreed with others here. Stock feels faster and smoother.
IMO its a terrible beta. No user string, no flash, bookmarks are terrible, colour theme doesn't fit with ICS..
Also, why does it exist? If it's only for ICS and above, why didn't they replace stock browser with it? I thought stock android browser was web kit and chrome based anyway.
TheStickMan said:
Agreed with others here. Stock feels faster and smoother.
IMO its a terrible beta. No user string, no flash, bookmarks are terrible, colour theme doesn't fit with ICS..
Also, why does it exist? If it's only for ICS and above, why didn't they replace stock browser with it? I thought stock android browser was web kit and chrome based anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funnily enough, Chrome relys on the stock browser for half its settings
Sent from my D255 using XDA App
I installed it. Went to a few sites. Said cool. And now I'm back to using the stock browser.
I like it because my chrome bookmarks now sync, the feature never worked in Honeycomb or with the new ICS browser and I had to use the chromemarks app as a work around.
Its quite fast to use but it still needs a lot of work, flash, themes and extensions would be nice lolz
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
I think its not bad for a beta been using it on my phone for a few days now... Remember beta here.. We cant expect everything from your desktop onto your mobile device right now as with google they are going to add features as time comes... Personally i would like to see extentions work but most people would be like that
Sent from my mind control device
When i first downloaded chrome i used it a little then went back to ics + because i thought chrome was akward and hard to close tabs. I missed quick controls right off the bat because they are pretty ingenious and intuitive. Well since then i have only used chrome. I only use ics+ when i need to view flash. Chrome is fast, although it takes some effort to close tabs and open new ones. I can't wait for an update and all the things that are obvious (extensions, flash, quick controls). I love how android is growing up. I feel like a proud father watching it go from a small phone ui to now on the brink of blossoming out to all areas of life. By that i mean throughout our homes i.e. Google home integration. I don't think Google has any plans to support flash though with this browser. The HTML YouTube in this browser is fast an non buggy. I'm sure Google wants to keep their browser flash free so they can monopolize web m.
I think I have to agree with you, I've gone back to the ICS browser because it's better designed for touch screen devices. Chrome beta is quite fiddly to use with your fingers! lolz
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

Native Browser Speed vs Chrome

Hi All,
I have an observation on my Razr i that I wanted to check with whoever's interested.
I've been using the Chrome browser since I got the phone (4/5 months ago), and always thought it to be fast enough for my needs, but then tried using the native browser a couple of days ago and it seems significantly faster when scrolling & loading pages.
Because Chrome is regularly updated I figured it would the faster of the two, though the backlog of cookies etc could possibly slow it down? I like the additional features of Chrome so it would be sad to see it go, but now it's painful to go back!
If anyone would like to have a play and see what they think I'd find it interesting. I've had a look through the forum and can't find any related discussion, I believe I'm on the latest EU JB build.
Could it be that the native browser is better optimised for intel? I thought we got Chrome a little late because they were optimising it for X86.
kitchenutensils said:
Hi All,
I have an observation on my Razr i that I wanted to check with whoever's interested.
I've been using the Chrome browser since I got the phone (4/5 months ago), and always thought it to be fast enough for my needs, but then tried using the native browser a couple of days ago and it seems significantly faster when scrolling & loading pages.
Because Chrome is regularly updated I figured it would the faster of the two, though the backlog of cookies etc could possibly slow it down? I like the additional features of Chrome so it would be sad to see it go, but now it's painful to go back!
If anyone would like to have a play and see what they think I'd find it interesting. I've had a look through the forum and can't find any related discussion, I believe I'm on the latest EU JB build.
Could it be that the native browser is better optimised for intel? I thought we got Chrome a little late because they were optimising it for X86.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Native browser always feels faster than chrome on other devices that I have tried, irrelevant of CPU architecture. There is just something in it that makes the scrolling and resizing look nicer. If someone can post some real data that would help -- but those have always been my impressions on different devices.
I agree stock browser is much faster than chrome and you can use flash player which chrome doesn't have and it still has some of the features chrome has like browser sync with my laptop ect
Sent from my XT890 using xda premium
How's that bookmark sync with desktop (chrome) in native browser? I was never able to find that functionality (without 3rd party apps) in native browser, for me main reason to use Chrome on my phone..
Did I miss something, native bookmark sync in built in browser with desktop chrome? And if yes; how??
Omar-Avelar said:
Native browser always feels faster than chrome on other devices that I have tried, irrelevant of CPU architecture. There is just something in it that makes the scrolling and resizing look nicer. If someone can post some real data that would help -- but those have always been my impressions on different devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is some real data: I'm running SunSpider 0.9.1 on Stock ROM JB 4.1.2 Brazil Retail:
Native Browser (809ms) (During test my CPU use was around 50%)
Chrome (938ms) (During test my CPU use was around 70%)
PS: CPU Use information provided by app Cool Tool
bmszabo said:
How's that bookmark sync with desktop (chrome) in native browser? I was never able to find that functionality (without 3rd party apps) in native browser, for me main reason to use Chrome on my phone..
Did I miss something, native bookmark sync in built in browser with desktop chrome? And if yes; how??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My native browser syncs bookmarks from google chrome, including folders... Check that Browser Sync is checked at your (Android/System/Launcher)Settings-> Google Account -> (your google email showing when was the last sync) -> Internet
Thanks, have overlooked that; google/sync bookmarks was turned off..
But, one more question: aside of speed issues; what are the added values of Chrome (visual effect, like flipping cards not counted) above build-in browser? Sync opened tabs with other devices is nice, but not essential for me; on the other hand, according to settings memory footprint of Chrome android is HUGE (as compared to native browser)..
bmszabo said:
Thanks, have overlooked that; google/sync bookmarks was turned off..
But, one more question: aside of speed issues; what are the added values of Chrome (visual effect, like flipping cards not counted) above build-in browser? Sync opened tabs with other devices is nice, but not essential for me; on the other hand, according to settings memory footprint of Chrome android is HUGE (as compared to native browser)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome is better in almost everything apart page rendering speed (the thing make it feels a bit laggy comparated to the stock browser), the only thing I miss is the pie control...
I do use both, for light pages chrome, for heavy ones, like facebook, stock browser...

Data management system plugin

Hi all. New to Nexus 7 here, and pretty much a newbie to Android.
I'm a journalist and to post content on pur website we use our own data management system in-house. I'm trying to post from home and I can access the server but where I actually type the content - it's greyed put and says I need a plugin. Any ideas? I'll ask our IT department tomorrow but not sure they'll like me BYODing.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Does it say what kind of plugin do you need? Also, try out different browsers like Chrome, AOSP, Firefox, etc.
Hey! Nope works on no browsers and just displays the standard 'a plugin is needed to display this content'
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
It's most likely flash which is not supported by android since 4.1
Try Boat Browser (supports flash) and/or installing a flash apk (you can find it here on xda).
Chrome doesn't support flash. Personally I use dolphin. There's others too. But you need to install flash....as said above. Of you're on 4.3....good luck....flash never worked well or at all for me on 4.3. So I'm back on 4.2.2.
Sent from my cellular telephone
Try Firefox Beta, and sideload the flash apk you can find somewhere around here. (It's version 11.7 I think). Then press the plugin part of the page, that launches Flash. That will probably do it. Otherwise, sounds like you need some proprietary corporate plugin/ActiveX from your company I'd guess, in which case you're likely SOL...check with IT.
I'm running on 4.3 btw and have no issues with Flash/Firefox.

Browser with homepage?

I need a good browser to use with my Fire that allows me to set the homepage (5.1.1, running Nexus ROM). Lightning+ cannot open tabs from apps right now due to a problem with the coding (not exclusive to the Fire), otherwise I'd be using that or Chrome (which doesn't have homeage). Your suggestions?
Edit: To clarify, I don't need to be able to choose my homepage. I just don't want to always restore my browser session every time I open the program.
Pixelguin said:
I need a good browser to use with my Fire that allows me to set the homepage (5.1.1, running Nexus ROM). Lightning+ cannot open tabs from apps right now due to a problem with the coding (not exclusive to the Fire), otherwise I'd be using that or Chrome (which doesn't have homeage). Your suggestions?
Edit: To clarify, I don't need to be able to choose my homepage. I just don't want to always restore my browser session every time I open the program.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dolphin?
I'm currently trying Dolphin out but I've heard of privacy concerns; otherwise it has everything I need. Are the privacy issues no longer relevant? The internet does not seem to have come to a consensus on this.
Pixelguin said:
I'm currently trying Dolphin out but I've heard of privacy concerns; otherwise it has everything I need. Are the privacy issues no longer relevant? The internet does not seem to have come to a consensus on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a bias toward Opera and Opera Mini (depending on need/preference). Same underlying engine as Chrome which yields consistent rendering. Opera Mini has integrated page compression and ad-blocking which is attractive to some. Both offer the option option of customizing the home screen with 'speed dials' of your choosing. Privacy is of no personal concern aside for exercising safe behaviors (independent of browser) and avoiding apps that intentionally mine/leak personal information. That said I think much of the banter surrounding Dolphin (which I have also used; nice browser with some quirks) is pure FUD.
Mx Browser
Sent from my XT687 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Pixelguin said:
I'm currently trying Dolphin out but I've heard of privacy concerns; otherwise it has everything I need. Are the privacy issues no longer relevant? The internet does not seem to have come to a consensus on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never heard anything regarding privacy with dolphin. It has ads and such, but root and adaway eliminate those. If you're really concerned with privacy on android, don't use android!

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