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Bitstream has released version 2.0 of its ThunderHawk Web browser for the Pocket PC. ThunderHawk is known as being one of the first mobile browsers to allow users to view pages in a manner similar to a desktop.

According to Bitstream, while some browsers reformat the Web page for quick reading, users still have to scroll through several pages before finding the information they need. With ThunderHawk 2.0, HTML Web pages look just as they would appear on desktop browsers. That's because ThunderHawk provides an 800x600 virtual screen resolution on 320x240 screens, the standard resolution for Pocket PCs and Pocket PC phones.

In addition to desktop-like navigation, Thunderhawk 2.0 includes improved scrolling, increased speed, and the ability to browse just-rendered Web links immediately, so you don't have to wait for the initial page to finish downloading before reading.

Also, when a connection is dropped with version 2.0, it is re-established immediately, along with any data previously entered. In terms of security and the enterprise, Bitstream implements ThunderHawk with 128-bit encryption, which is not available with any other mobile browser.

The company said it plans to release version 2.0 of ThunderHawk for cellphone and smartphone users in the coming months. No specific dates were given. ThunderHawk is sold as a subscription service for either $49.95 per year or $5.95 per month.