News

Opera debuts new version of smartphone browser

By Ed Oswald | Published February 5, 2008, 12:13 PM

The browser company launched Tuesday its newest version of its mobile browser, redesigning the interface and improving overall speed.

Opera Mobile shouldn't be confused with its Mini product. The mobile version is aimed at the feature and smartphone market, while Opera Mini is a BREW-based browser that can be used by most traditional phones that support Java.

Available on several different platforms including Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Linux, the browser is currently included on more than 100 million phones through companies such as Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and others.

Both offer a desktop-like experience through the use of zooming and panning which allows the browser to display Web pages like they would on the desktop. Additionally, a rendering engine known as Presto helps speed page loading.

That combined with support for Web 2.0, Opera widgets, and Adobe's Flash technology should allow for most pages to be displayed as they were intended. Opera said that this technology -- Flash Lite 3 -- will even allow users to view YouTube videos on the phone.

Opera Mobile 9.5 also includes technologies that allow providers to serve web content on the "idle screen," which has become another way to reach consumers by placing content where they don't need to click through to view it.

"Opera Mobile is the result of Opera's unwavering commitment to a vision that puts a true Web experience in the hands of mobile users," CEO Jon von Tetzchner said in a statement.

Comments

View comments by with a score of at least

theoddbod
Feb 5, 2008 - 3:48 PM edited

Mini isn't BREW-based - it's a normal Java app. They're working on a BREW version though.

This new Mobile version sounds better than the iPhone's browser. Skyfire looks very impressive, but i'll wait for a downloadable demo rather than a presentation.

Score: 0

|
Post Reply
Hollywood__
Feb 6, 2008 - 12:19 AM

Opera for the Wii and DS are both plagued with Java and Flash issues. They have a very nice look and feel but it's still IE7.

I tried Firefox, then went back to Microshaft. If they update Opera for the Wii so more sites work properly, I would love to give it another try. At least it was only five bucks to add on.

I haven't tried the DS version but I have seen demos. It's pretty much the same as the Wii except less friendly. They stopped making it all together and they eBay market is scalping everyone who still wants it.

Score: 0

|
Post Reply
wjrandon
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:51 AM edited

I'm sure Opera felt the pressure to release this news snub about the "upcoming" Opera Mobile 9 release. Surely the all the buzz in the Windows Mobile community about SkyFire has Opera alarmed, and all for good reason. OM9 has been in development for over a year now and the company has been too secretive to user inquiries. The people at SkyFire saw market opportunity and took perceive action... Good for them!

Score: 0

|
Post Reply
MikeTechno
Feb 5, 2008 - 3:17 PM

I use to be a big fan of this browser...until I found out about the Skyfire.com mobile browser. It puts iPhone like browsing on your Windows Moblie 6 device. If you haven't seen the video demo on their site, you need to see it. It will absolutely blow you away.

Score: 0

|
Post Reply
ceejaay
Feb 5, 2008 - 2:35 PM

I cannot find a link to download this beta, even the Opera Mobile 9.5 website points to downloading version 8.65

Score: 0

|
Post Reply

Report: Microsoft to randomize Europe's browser screen choices

The fact that "A" is for "Apple" was apparently at the heart of browser vendor objections to Microsoft's alternative to listing IE first.

Acer eclipses Dell for #2 spot in global PC shipments, says iSuppli data

It literally does look like a 360-degree turnaround in Dell's fortunes, as the bells of bad tidings now toll solely for Dell.

Microsoft, don't hang up on Windows Mobile, but do call for help

Only a Manhattan Project can save Microsoft's phone strategy now.

See ya later, WinMo: Microsoft's mobile strategy needs a reboot

Carmi Levy | Wide Angle Zoom: Hands up if you're considering upgrading to a Windows phone for the holidays...Anybody?

Playing catch-up in 2010: Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and Symbian

Microsoft, RIM, and Nokia are each working on improved mobile operating systems. But could these efforts add up to too little, too late?

Will Nokia's plans further alienate American consumers?

A look at Nokia's plans for the coming years does little to shine up the company's increasingly dull image.

Bing bonked by service outage Thursday, Microsoft configured the wrong server

It's always nice to have a backup, but it's even nicer to remember which one is the backup. That's the lesson Bing's admins learned yesterday evening.

Survey reveals there are more women then men, including on social networks

If you think you can market your products and services online as though you're selling car batteries in the middle of halftime, think again. And again.

Android team updates 'Donut' and 'Eclair' SDKs

The Android SDK includes components which optimize app development for each version of the mobile operating system. Today, the 1.6 and 2.0 components got updates.

The Black Screen Syndrome, or, Tech news in search of the apocalypse

Scott Fulton On Point: This is a story about something that should not have been a story, about something that at one time was a story.

Online advertising evolves away from display, toward interactive software

Marketing departments and agencies are increasingly establishing positions for "creative technologists" who can steer designers and developers toward platforms that enable direct connections with consumers.