Access Flash Sites With Cloud Browse

from App Advice by Kiet Chieng

While all of the love in the third party browser world has been going to Opera’s Mini browser, another free browser in the app store is helping to solve a dilemma plaguing all of us using an iDevice. Developer AlwaysOn Technologies has managed to do the unthinkable: bring Flash to the browsing experience on the iPhone OS with Cloud Browse.

Cloud Browse is a clever app that employs the use of remotely streaming a desktop browser to your device. This remote computer is fully flash and java enabled allowing you the access and opportunity to view the web like you would on your desktop computer. You have full multitouch pinch capabilities to zoom in and out of sites as well as flick scrolling as you would with mobile Safari. The only difference is you now have that coveted access to flash enabled sites to view animation and play games.

While the idea of being able to browse the complete web is pretty cool, the experience may prove to be a little frustrating. The app has gained in popularity due to its unique functions and as a result, accessing Cloud Browse’s browser may result in many timed out connections. During my time with the app, I had to restart the app several times on many occasions to finally connect. The developer’s site does acknowledge the issues that users may be experiencing and indicate they are working on it.

The other issue is Apple. How long before Cupertino yanks this access after the very public spat with allowing flash on its device? Either way, you can see for yourself how well the app works. It’s currently residing on the App Store completely free to download. Give it a whirl and see what browsing the full web is like on your iPhone.

Download Cloud Browse for free on the App Store.

Such a shame, Apple has to resort to such tactics.

Now that doesnt make any sense...this seems like its the same concept as air video.

This goes beyond flash being bad for performance...this is just denying the use of flash.

I would have really liked this app. Started downloading app's now before I get my 3G because of this. I'm curious though, what happens to the people who downloaded the app already? Does Apple disable it somehow or are they just the lucky ones?

+1 on Eldex's post, are these people using the original download?

Which brings up another question: Can you share APPs outside of your ITunes share? My wife and I share the apps and I think its up to 5 devices or something, but what about physically moving the APP from your Mac to another device? Is this possible? or am I still thinking to much from my left (PC) brain?

I still have Retr O Sketch, which was removed. It is no longer available in the App Store. It still is on my iPad and in my App library, in itunes. I am guessing the people who snagged it, will have it as long as they do not delete it.

Actually there is no difference between this and and HTML5 implementation.

Wrongo. This allowed you to play those flash games. HTML5 is pretty much video only for now.

Originally Posted by Takenover83

Wrongo. This allowed you to play those flash games. HTML5 is pretty much video only for now.

True but HTML5 has apps that open up thin clients to flash video servers so that the server is actually doing the processing.

Should have just waited for the HP Slate I guess