Opera 8.5 beta for Windows Mobile Pocket PC released

We don't normally rock the mobile software announcements, but we know how long, patiently, and eagerly a lot of you have been waiting for Opera to get released on Pocket PC since its release for Smartphone last summer. Well, we've got some good news for you: today the Opera 8.5 beta for Pocket PC devices hit the 'Net in all its CSS2 / JavaScript / DOM 2 rendering glory. We gave it a brief whirl on our HTC Wizard and found it to be a significant improvement over PIE (then again, what wouldn't be anymore?), especially its page formatting, load times, and having the ability to run multiple browser windows and close them completely from within the app (i.e., not needing to stop the task in the process manager).

[Via Geekzone]

[McCarron @ Jan 18th 2006 1:12PM]

I downloaded it this morning and it wont even run on my new Cingular 2125. It's installed, just unwilling to start up for me.

[furby @ Jan 18th 2006 1:24PM]

Posting using it now. So much better than PIE. All the pages i've been to have rendered well and quick. Be nice to see tabs and for free, but good work by Opera

[cmonkey @ Jan 18th 2006 1:25PM]

Wow, this is actually really nice. (I'm posting this comment using it on my Axim x50v). There is no annoying page rendering lag like on Pocket IE, and having multiple windows is nice. There are some annoyances though, like that page up/down and tab on my bluetooth keyboard aren't working (they work in PIE). Also, the user interface needs a lot of work. It takes far too many taps to do simple tasks like viewing history and switching browser windows. The nav bar is also not really VGA friendly.

[Kevin @ Jan 18th 2006 1:32PM]

Just put onto my HP iPaq rx3115 (this is the PocketPC release... WinMobile for Smartphones has had its own release for awhile now).

So far it's running great. No horizontal scroll bars. Very, very fast. Just what I've been waiting for.

Note that this beta only has a 45 day trial period.

[Ed @ Jan 18th 2006 1:35PM]

#1, I tried too... Looks like we need a Smartphone version, not the Pocket PC version. Incidentally, it's a huge program... takes almost 6 megs by my count!

[700wuser @ Jan 18th 2006 1:39PM]

As a web developer I've always disliked how Opera so poorly handles most web pages and javascript, all while hiding behind the veil of "w3 compliance", which the web left far behind years ago. Even google.com's start page has 50 errors on it. Opera handles Google fine of course, but when it fails on other pages that IE and firefox like, Opera proponents blame the page.

Still, anyone tried it in 240*240 on a treo 700w yet? PIE is stable and fast but has a crappy UI. I'll gladly switch if opera's gotten its act together.

[xbit @ Jan 18th 2006 2:19PM]

I've been using Opera on various Symbian smartphones for years and it's fantastic.

NetFront is worth checking out too.

[Ross @ Jan 18th 2006 2:24PM]

Works great on my Treo 700w, but is a pretty hefty install size.

[Jeffrey @ Jan 18th 2006 3:03PM]

Large file and it didn't give me a choice of where to install it. Otherwise it's pretty speedy and supports javascript (which is great on http://www.google.com/ig in landscape mode [this page doesn't render right on my i730 in portrait]) Definitely better than PIE, NetFront, and Mimio's current releases.

I'd like to see support for storing cache on a storage card (maybe it's there already, haven't looked too hard yet), the ability to disable javascript (it's great that it works, but on a lot of pages it is pointless to have it even try on such a small screen), and some enhanced tap-and-hold menus.

*

[Skeletor @ Jan 18th 2006 3:40PM]

Just installed this piece on my iPAQ HW6510, and I see no difference between it and IE. What a piece of basura!

[M Freitas @ Jan 18th 2006 3:43PM]

It runs on Windows Mobile Pocket PC. The 2125 is a Windows Mobile Smartphone. Check this post: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=5374

[Blake @ Jan 18th 2006 4:20PM]

I put it on my VZW XV6600, and it LAGS. Really slow loads. Scrolling is really, REALLY slow. It seems to be refreshing images that are already downloaded as I scroll. I tried different zoom levels, and switching on and off "fit to screen." Nothing seems to fix it. Overall, I will stick with PIE unless there is some secret setting that I can't find to make this thing work...

[Mysta @ Jan 18th 2006 5:04PM]

Hey got mine installed and working. I have the Treo 700w and it works just fine. Minor kinks... Such as loading lag, it seems like its about to lock up, and then BAM! the page pops up, it probably has a couple things to work out as far as performance, but pages render beautifully! Couldn't ask for anymore, well I could, but I'll hold off! :-) I love it. Thanks Opera!

[Pnarse @ Jan 18th 2006 6:41PM]

Just installed on an axim x50v... rendering is great, sites look much much better than on PIE, with everything scaled down neatly to make the most of the VGA screen.

However, it slows to a crawl when scrolling even simple websites... so for now I'm stuck with PIE :(

[Giuppi @ Jan 18th 2006 6:43PM]

Uh? Is that a Wizard or a Universal??

[Alexander @ Jan 18th 2006 7:12PM]

Ah dammit... it's just for 'newer' devices... Stupid Trash-shiba E740... This damn thing is a $500 dollar alarm clock. And it even sucks at that!

AARRGG!!!

[James @ Jan 18th 2006 11:34PM]

Im using it now on my PPC-6700, the autogrammar doesnt work and wordwrap isnt working properly in this textbox, i also noticed the typing lags a little.

I havnt had any lag scroll that im not used to, it seems to load images when they scroll in view, i assume to save resources, there isnt a image save function nor copy shortcuts or flash. Ohyea, it reloads the page completely when i switch to landscape mode. Overall it works very good and engadget finally renders correctly, i will most likely buy it on final release if they fix it up.

[Jon A. @ Jan 19th 2006 12:14AM]

To all that have successfull been able to use the program and to those who haven't...

Opera is actually a company that listens to it's users. The main reason it's in public beta is because they want user feedback. Please go on Opera's forums at http://my.opera.com/community/forums/

Post your comments about the new release there, you all are smart enough to find your way.

[Josh @ Jan 19th 2006 10:04AM]

Anyone able to get the program to install somewhere other then Main Memory on A WM 2003 SE device.

I am on the i730 and it works great so far.

[Pablo @ Jan 20th 2006 1:23PM]

Works on my PPC but screws with the VPN when I open it. I'll post about it on the forums.

For all of those that want to install it somewhere else - I use CabInst to install everything - that way I choose where it goes!

[AH @ Jan 20th 2006 2:13PM]

I'd love this, but Yahoo! won't function with Opera

[Robbzilla @ Jan 24th 2006 4:17PM]

If you're running Windows Mobile 2003, make sure you download a CAB installer or you'll be forced to take this where the PC wants to put it. WM2005 has this featuer built in. Wow! I've only had 2 message threads locked and 2 of my messages deleted griping to Opera about their lack of a PPC browser! Well worth the wait!