BitStream's outlandish claims about Bolt browser speed

October 15, 2009 · by Haavard

Is BitStream's new Opera Mini-clone "Bolt" routinely 25-50% faster than any other mobile browser? That's what they keep claiming in their press releases:

In comprehensive speed testing of a variety of Web pages from different websites, BOLT was routinely 25 to 50 percent faster than the next fastest mobile browser.

BOLT is the fastest mobile browser currently available – routinely at least 25 to 50 percent faster than the next fastest

And yet, several independent reviews seem to dispute that.

To be honest, I don't think speed tests like the ones above are a very useful basis for making general claims about browser speed. How fast the proxy browser is doesn't just depend on how optimized the servers and clients are, but also on your location in relation to the servers, traffic on the network, your connetion speed at any given time, and so on. All those speed tests really show is that that particular person got that particular result at that particular time under those particular circumstances.

"At least 25-50 percent faster than the next fastest"? Seriously, BitStream. Even if you had actual speed tests placing Bolt ahead of other browsers, that still wouldn't justify your claims. All you would be able to show is that it was faster for that person at that time.

Maybe it's time to adjust your PR claims a little?

Readers' comments 11

Left under the original article, as archived.

tomassplatchThursday, October 15, 2009 11:17:28 AM
great, I tried Bolt and it is much slower than Mini when loading pages and navigating. But all in all not a bad browser... I suppose they need the hype to gain users.
sirnh1Thursday, October 15, 2009 11:42:30 AM
I downloaded the bolt browser, but that thing doesn't even start on my nokia 3500c. It starts, shows the loading screen makes internet access, keeps showing the loading screen, and after 5(!) minutes it shows a message that my phone doesn't have any internet access. What's that about?
Granted opera mini 5 looks horrible for me, since the skin is bigger than my phone, but at least it seems to fully work, while bolt doesn't even start...
No internet access? How do they think I got that application on my phone in the first place?

Edit: works as soon as I discovered the light version. (Anyone know the difference between the full and the light version?) I like the default page, since it has history + feeds + favorites, but then that's it. I really miss opera link just to much...
Charles SchlossThursday, October 15, 2009 12:50:25 PM
Plus it also depends on the phones hardware, a phone can only process so much at one time
thobiThursday, October 15, 2009 12:57:31 PM
Get the mobile browser everyone is talking about, the fastest mobile browser on the market today.

so, everyone is talking about it? (ok, we are, but because of what reason? ).
Sami SerolaFriday, October 16, 2009 9:43:01 AM
Good point Haavard, exactly what I was thinking.
Mad Scientist (عادل)Friday, October 16, 2009 11:45:52 PM
I haven't updated my bolt browser yet. I received the email for the update though. .
Ice ArdorSaturday, October 24, 2009 8:59:32 AM
They must have hired the Safari for Windows marketing team.
Mad Scientist (عادل)Sunday, November 15, 2009 8:42:51 PM
We have two and a half mobile service providers in South Africa!
Vodacom, MTN and CellC. And one virtual provider, Virgin Mobile! .
Vodacom and MTN both have there own infrastructure. CellC uses some of their own towers, but mostly rely on the pre-existing Vodacom infrastructure. Virgin Mobile doesn't have an infrastructure and simply piggyback off of whichever network is available. .
That Virgin mobile is said to be the cheapest for data usage suggests that the other networks are ripping us off since Virgin is simply re-selling bandwidth from those, more expensive, networks! .
Vodacom is the only network with a 'Vodashop' in every town. Having said that though, their 'customer service' sucks! Since I've switched to MTN, I haven't needed to contact 'customer service' so I don't know if MTN's customer service is any better. But not needing customer service in the first place is a great plus for me! .
What's strange though, is that Vodacom is basically a join venture between Vodafone, arguably the largest mobile service provider outside of the USA, and Telkom, South Africa's only landline service! You'da thought that with all that financial clout and ready-made infrastructure that they'da had the better coverage! .
It looks like they just ride on a strong propaganda machine .
Vodacom regularly advertises their 'broadband' service, among other things, but this service is only available in one or two isolated business centres. It's almost non-existent in residential zones. .
Clearly they only intend to cater for the 'suits' the plant their butts in office chairs for life!. If you're actually mobile, their network is practically useless! .
PurdiSunday, November 15, 2009 9:13:23 PM
And all of this has what, exactly, to do with Bolt's bogus speed claims?
Charles SchlossSunday, November 15, 2009 10:40:21 PM
I would guess that mobile browsing requires data, and in some parts the cell stretch is different would change browser speeds
Adonis @ my.opera /friendspartyworldThursday, October 14, 2010 6:17:54 PM
Actually, there is something that is making mini more fast anyway: the shortcuts. Mini is definitely more the way i/we use browsing at other systems too. that is part of learning skills.