Why Do I have Different Browsers?..ie WAP,Internet,WiFi

[Bla1ze]

I found this while perusing the Developers Conference Blog, a lot of new users have trouble understanding what all the browsers are for, so here is a break down.

5 browser names and their various aliases:

1. BlackBerry Browser (”Corporate MDS”, “MDS”, “Enterprise”)
2. Internet Browser (”Public MDS”, “BIS-B”)
3. WAP Browser
4. Hotspot Browser (”Wi-Fi Browser”)
5. Unite Browser

1. BlackBerry Browser

• Only available if device is connected to a BES at your company
• All traffic goes through the MDS-CS component of your company’s BES server
• Can access resources inside your company’s firewall, such as intranets and desktop PCs
• However, it’s also restricted by that same same firewall, just like the PC at your desk
• All of the other browsers are outside the firewall

2. Internet Browser

• Virtually every device has this browser; no corporate BES connection or email setup required
• All traffic goes through one of a few MDS-CS servers hosted by RIM
• Sometimes requires that an APN be setup in order to work (on GSM networks)

3. WAP Browser

• All traffic goes through the WAP gateway hosted by the carrier
• This is the only route where no RIM-owned servers or RIM-produced software are used during communication
• WAP gateways vary from carrier to carrier, making problems often difficult to resolve
• No MDS-CS present to perform content optimization; entire web page is sent to the device

4. Hotspot Browser

• Uses Wi-Fi network to route traffic
• Sometimes goes through the BES’s MDS-CS and sometimes just on the local network
• Device setup makes this route somewhat unpredictable
• Generally very fast throughput, making pages load more quickly than all other browsers

5. Unite Browser

• All traffic goes through the MDS-CS server running on the Unite server on your home computer

Common Problems When Using the Incorrect Browser

1. The web page won’t load
   • web site is inside the firewall and you’re not using the BlackBerry Browser
   • web site is blocked by your company’s firewall and you are using the BlackBerry Browser
   • web site is carrier-specific and you’re not using the WAP Browser
   • web site is hosted on your home PC and you’re not using the Unite browser
2. Far more data than required may be downloaded
   • when data flows through MDS-CS it is optimized for the device, including reducing image sizes, compressing text, and optimizing the HTML DOM tree
   • using the WAP Browser the entire web page must be downloaded, even if images are 30x the size of the screen
3. Slow page rendering
   • data flowing through MDS-CS also undergoes optimization, such as pre-compiling JavaScript and modifying the HTML layout for a smaller screen size, increasing layout speeds
   • using WAP Browser forces the device to do this work, which takes longer
4. Larger financial cost
   • since more data is transmitted when using WAP, plans that pay per megabyte will be more expensive
   • Wi-Fi is generally free, so using it instead of cellular network saves money as well

[SevereDeceit]

Good post Bla1ze...

[Bla1ze]

Can't take the credit...just copied it from the Dev Blog..but it is indeed useful.

[pltaylor]

great info

[pltaylor]

and I LOVE that new banner in your sig!

[xinirgi]

Originally Posted by Bla1ze

...2. Internet Browser

• Virtually every device has this browser; no corporate BES connection or email setup required
• All traffic goes through one of a few MDS-CS servers hosted by RIM
  
• Sometimes requires that an APN be setup in order to work (on GSM networks)

...

What is the APN, and how would I go abouts setting it up if required (on Rogers network currently)?

[Bla1ze]

Originally Posted by xinirgi

What is the APN, and how would I go abouts setting it up if required (on Rogers network currently)?

It's how your device determines which WAP netwrk to connect to also known as Access Point Name

The Rogers APN is..

internet.com
User: Blank
Pass: Blank

You can access it by going to Settings/Options/Advanced Options/TCP, but in most cases it's no longer needed on the rogers network, I have 12 apps on my bold, none of which need it, as most will auto configure it and Rogers assigns it to your device anyways it's transparent to you.

[johnmorganjr1]

Very useful and interesting post.

[nakedknitgirl]

Hi, thanks for the post.
Can all models do WiFi? and if so, how do I enable it?

[samsams]

Ok, all interesting.

I have better internet access with
APN internet
User blank
Pass blank
while Tmobile says it should be 3 times blank.

In Options/ Adv Options/ Browsers I find:

Default browser configuration: t-zones or web-n-walk browser
Default MDS browser conf: (only choise) web-n-walk browser
Default WAP browser conf: (only choise) t-zones

What is all that about then?
And what does the Opera Mini use then?

[jackie treehorn]

Originally Posted by nakedknitgirl

Hi, thanks for the post.
Can all models do WiFi? and if so, how do I enable it?

no the xx20 models have wifi and xx10 have gps

[nakedknitgirl]

Originally Posted by addict83

no the xx20 models have wifi and xx10 have gps

Thanks for the quick reply, so I have a 8130 and it has GPS, I guess you can't have both at the same time, eh? Too bad. Thanks!

[sueberry9000]

Hello,
I'm a brand new blackberry/crackberry user/member. I don't know if this has been addressed in another post, but I have Rogers service and no data plan on my Blackberry as I use my laptop to surf. I was hoping that since the Bold had WiFi I'd be able to use it without having to be routed through Rogers service. I've also set up the connection to my wireless Sympatico router while at home.

How can I configure this as Rogers Blackberry IT advised it was but they couldn't tell me how... other than to use data without my SIM card loaded. My Bold is unlocked btw.

Thanks.. will be studying a lot on here as time permits!

[hazee]

Does any particular browser activate GPRS data transfer which is charged per KB basis. I have an unlimited per month package but still my bill is growing even when I dont make calls.

Hopefully my question is clear.

[EdS817]

I have an 8320. Is there any way to make the browser automatically switch from Internet to Hotspot when I am using WiFi and back when I am not?