UPDATE: Skyfire has updated the status on their blog. Read on for more.

Skyfire, the proxy web browser with ability to view rich media, is closing down its service for users in a number of countries from 1st July 2010. This change however applies only to Symbian and Windows Mobile versions.
The following notice is presented upon startup of the browser.
“Dear Skyfire User
As, of July 1st, 2010 Skyfire will
no longer be providing service
in your country for the windows
mobile and symbian browser. In
order to offer the best possible
service level for our officially
supported customers and
countries , Skyfire is
consolidating the countries in
which it operates. We apologize
for this inconvenience and hope
you have enjoyed the Skyfire
will work on your phone until
July 1st 2010,at which time the
service will be de-activated and
your browser will no longer
function. You can direct inquiries
about this to geo@skyfire.com.”
Mobile Royale’s attempts to contact Skyfire to get a list of affected countries was unsuccessful due to the provided address ( geo@ ) rejecting incoming email.

Skyfire has posted a blog post clarifying the current status. From 1 July they will be closing down the service for all the Symbian and Windows Mobile users who had “unofficially downloaded” the application and service will be available in the following countries only.

United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Ireland
Portugal
Spain
France
Germany
Belgium
Italy
Finland
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Switzerland
Korea
Taiwan

Android and iPhone users all over the world ( including from “unofficial” countries ) will continue to enjoy the service.

UPDATE: As per Skyfire forums and FAQ-
Currently Skyfire is focusing on Canada, United States and United Kingdom.
They have stated in the forums that they regret it is hard for them to provide coverage to the whole world at once, and that the rest of the world was never officially supported.

So far, the list of countries that we have been able to confirm are as follows -

Australia
Ecuador
Hungary
India
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Pakistan
Poland
Slovakia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Thailand

However, it is expected that a majority of countries are blocked as this appears to be a blanket close down on usage – possibly except in U.S and U.K. It has been confirmed that users from U.K currently do not get this notice.
The reasoning behind this move is not clear. Skyfire had only recently acquired the company which makes the Steel browser for Android, and launched Skyfire Rocket – a service for OEMs to integrate Skyfire’s abilities, which makes one wonder this could not be due to financial reasons.
If your country too is affected, please leave a comment.
 
 
 
 
 

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