operamini
Latest
iPad gets the Opera Mini treatment, we wonder what took so long
Opera's been working its Norwegian charms on the iPhone since last Spring, and it's been flirting with tablets since CES, but up until now the browsers yet to put the moves on the iPad. Considering how much it gets around, we're surprised it didn't happen sooner, but Opera announced yesterday that it would show off a new version of Opera Mini on a number of platforms at MWC this year, including Android, iPhone, J2ME, BlackBerry, Symbian, and yes -- the iPad. There's no word on what the iPad version will bring -- or when, for that matter -- but we're guessing it will probably sport the same smooth zoom and multiple-page grid we saw previewed on Opera for tablets. For more on the world's most promiscuous browser, check out the full PR after the jump.
Opera Mini for iPad set for debut
According to a report from Macworld, the iPad is about to get its own version of the popular Opera Mini web browser. The new iPad-centric version will supposedly be released at the Mobile World Congress event starting in Barcelona next week, along with updated versions for the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry mobile platforms. Speaking with Macworld, Opera CEO Lars Boilesen said that "Our developers have been hard at work building the mobile browser of the future for both consumers and mobile operators." Back in 2008 it was reported that Apple wouldn't allow Opera to place their mobile browser in the App Store to compete with Safari, but in April of 2010 it was finally approved for use on the iPhone, iPod touch and the iPad and is currently available as a free download from the App Store. Of course, it has to use WebKit for the browsing engine, but it maintains Opera's backend for server-side compression, yielding faster page loads on slower connections. And for those of you still looking for a new browser to try out on your Mac, you may want to check out Opera 11 for Mac, which was released back in December. [via Macworld]
Opera Mini 5.1 hits Symbian, moves away from Java
Version 5.1 has been Opera Mini's big push for much of this year, and the release is finally filtering down to Symbian today. The big news, though, is that S60 owners will be able to use a native version of the popular proxy-based browser rather than the Java build they'd been left with previously, so we can assume that the move to native code is probably going to have a positive effect on performance. New features include clipboard and email client integration, the ability to select a default internet access point (so you're not prompted every time), better fonts, and a variety of performance-centric improvements. The beta is available now; follow the break for the press release.
Opera Mobile coming to Android within a month, bearing hardware acceleration and pinch-to-zoom
Forget all that Mini stuff, Opera is bringing its full-flavored mobile browser to Android some time very soon indeed. To tempt people on board, the new software will support hardware acceleration for buttering up frame rates while you zoom around at potato-scalding speeds, while pinch-to-zoom will also be implemented in a big O Android browser for the first time. Opera Mini will be partaking in the latter upgrade as well, while Opera Mobile proper is expected to make its debut on the Android Market at some point over the next month. All versions of the "well diversified" OS are supported too! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: Opera has clarified that the first Android beta of Opera Mobile will have pinch-to-zoom and will arrive some time over the next month, but won't be bringing hardware acceleration with it. That'll be a feature for a later date.
Six Android browsers enter the ring, only one reigns supreme
Choice is a good thing, and Android users certainly have a lot of choices. Default launcher or Launcher Pro? Fancy animated live wallpaper or static picture of adorable puppies? Stock browser or alternative? It's that last question that has plagued so many, and to offer some guidance PC World pitted six of the Market's top choices against each other. The 2.1 and 2.2 stock browsers entered, along with Skyfire 2.0, Opera Mini, Dolphin HD, and Mozilla Fennec (the pre-beta release of what could bring Firefox to your phone). The winner? Well, you can see the ultimate speed results above, with SkyFire surprisingly trumping Opera Mini, though that one seemingly has 'em beat when it comes to repeat-visits. However, the full story when it comes to things like page rendering and Flash compatibility is naturally a good bit more complex. For those details you'll need to click on through. [Thanks, Tim]
Opera Mini 5.1 finds its way to Android, too
Just a scant few days after the Java-based release for featurephones, the Android build of Opera Mini 5.1 (which, admittedly, also has its roots in Java) is ready for your browse-happy ways. As with the featurephone release, the focus here is almost exclusively on improving performance, an impressive goal considering that Opera Mini 5 was already burning rubber on many devices. Additionally, 5.1 is said to improve page layout on the latest round of high-resolution phones -- a good thing, considering many of us are now considering WVGA a bare minimum. Sickening thought, isn't it? The new build should be available to download from the Android Market today; follow the break for Opera's full press release.
Opera Mini 5.1 promises to sip memory like a single malt scotch
Opera is taking the "Mini" in "Opera Mini" to heart with the lightweight mobile browser's latest release today -- version 5.1, which improves on the big 5.0 release from earlier this year. There aren't any notable new features, per se, but the company promises that 5.1 includes a new "optimized" skin that allows more pages to be open simultaneously and generally improves day-to-day performance. Specifically, 5.1 is billed as a "highly recommended" upgrade for users on Nokia S40 devices and on Sony Ericsson dumbphones like the K550i and W810i, while smartphone and high-end dumbphone users are basically being told there's no huge rush to pull the trigger. The new version's available today; follow the break for Opera's full release.
Opera Mini users increased 4.2 percent in a month (and other interesting tidbits), says Opera
Opera's just released its State of the Mobile Web report for May of 2010, and its touting its continued growth in the space, with Opera Mini usage increasing 4.2 percent over the previous month, and a 7.2 percent gain in overall page views. Good news for them, undoubtedly, but they also have interestingly found that the hours 8:00 pm and midnight are the biggest for browsing -- unless you live in the UK, where you're just as likely to browse in the earlier hours. Nerds. Hit up the source link for the full report.
Opera wades into Flash debate, says it 'makes very little sense' for video
Opera Software already caused quite a stir with the release of the iPhone version of its browser, and it looks like it's now starting to make itself heard in one of the biggest browser-related debates going. Speaking with Tech Radar, Opera's product analyst Phillip Grønvold started out with something of a diplomatic approach by saying that "today's internet content is dependent on Flash" and "if you remove Flash you do not have today's internet," and for that reason Opera needs to support Flash. Things get a bit more interesting from there, however, with Grønvold stating that while Flash has its place for things like dynamic content, it "makes very little sense" as a video container given the impact on processor and battery usage, adding that "you can cook an egg on [devices] once you start running Flash on them and there's a reason for that." Fried eggs, potatoes -- these browsers sure are making us hungry.
Skyfire boss on possible iPhone port: 'stay tuned for news'
So Opera Mini for iPhone has proved to be kind of a big deal, and that HTML-laden beacon of hope is putting a twinkle in some other developers' eyes. Take Skyfire, for instance. CEO Jeff Glueck posted this week a congratulations to the Opera team for its inclusion in the iTunes app store -- a surprise to many, us included. He also explained that "this will certainly accelerate our strategy on iDevices," and seeing as its only product is a mobile browser with Flash and Silverlight, Jeff certainly has our attention here. That said, we're not exactly getting our hopes up, especially since the App Store's rules have always forbidden any app from running a code interpreter and we don't see how SkyFire can bypass that aspect of Flash and Silverlight entirely, even though it uses a server-side rendering model similar to Opera Mini's. We'll see what happens.
Opera Mini for iPhone approved, will be available for free (update: hands-on)
Our man Thomas Ricker was just wondering how long it would take before Apple determined the fate of Opera Mini for iPhone, and we've got some good news -- it's been approved and will be available for free on the App Store within 24 hours! Can't say we were expecting that, since non-Safari-based browsers have typically been verboten from Apple's little kingdom, but we're certainly happy to be surprised. We'll do up a full hands-on when we see it in the store, but for now check the demo video after the break. Update: We're getting reports that UK and Australian readers are already able to download and enjoy this surprising little addition to the app store -- be sure to give this iTunes link a shot and see if it works in your region, mmkay? Update 2: We just got our hands on Opera Mini for the iPhone, and the first thing we noticed is, in fact, how fast it renders pages. When we open the app, we are quickly introduced to the default Opera Screen, with links to Facebook, Twitter and the like. Opening a new tab is a single touch and loading virtually any homepage is quick. While scrolling through the loaded page, some images don't fully render until you stop over them. Multitouch is enabled to some extent -- you can pinch to zoom, and double tapping only fully zooms in and out, with really no inbetween. Something else we noticed that we'd been looking for in OS 4, is the ability to Find in Page. It works really well, and the words being searched are highlighted for an easy find. This browser totally kicks safari out of the water, and we're definitely looking forward to updates for Opera Mini. Update 3: It looks to be live in the US now! Hit up that iTunes link and go wild!
Hell freezes over: Opera Mini for iPhone approved!
Apple has approved the Opera Mini browser for the iPhone, causing a collective gasp of shock around the Internet. Opera announced the approval this evening, saying that the free app will be available within the next 24 hours. UK and Australian readers are reporting to Engadget that they're able to download the app already. Want to give it a try? Give this link a shot. As soon as we've tried it we'll report back. Thanks to everyone who sent this in! [via Engadget]
Found Footage: Opera Mini for the iPhone
At long last, Opera Mini for iPhone has been submitted to the App Store. It was almost 2 years ago that Opera Software CEO Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner told the New York Times that Apple was not going to admit the browser to the App Store, a claim which was later refuted. Last February, Opera Software officially announced that Opera Mini will be made available for the iPhone, and offered a sneak peek at Mobile World Congress 2010 (MWC) in Barcelona. Today, a preview video has been released (above) that shows off some of Opera Mini's impressive features, namely tab management and speed. Opera Mini makes use of server-side rendering, significantly compressing data before it reaches the phone, resulting in speedy browsing and less data usage. At the end of the video, you'll see an impressive head-to-head speed test between Opera and Safari running on identical iPhones over EDGE. I'm looking forward to giving this browser a try. The tab management looks well done. If you're also eager to use it, watch the official submission countdown (or count up, actually). While you're there, place your guess as to when it will be approved. Whoever comes the closest will win a new iPhone. [Via First & 20]
Opera Mini for iPhone submitted to Apple for approval (video)
Can you feel the tension? Opera is now in the throes of the App Store approval process. The wait is on to see if Apple will loosen its grip and approve the fast (very fast) Opera Mini browser for iPhone app that we checked out at MWC. Remember, Opera Mini relies on Opera's servers to render and compress pages before sending them back to the iPhone for display. As such, there's no code interpretation being done by the software -- a definite no no for approval. So the only thing that could cause Apple to reject the app would be a perceived duplication of core iPhone functionality even though it already approved several WebKit-based browsers. Whatever happens, this is going to be good. Update: Opera just threw up a counter tracking how long the approval process has taken. You know, 'cause everyone likes to be backed into a corner. Makes you wonder if Opera is serious about this or just doing it for the publicity -- one of several angles we mulled earlier.
Motorola makes i1 official, melds Android and push-to-talk this summer on Sprint
Right on cue, just after the aptly-timed teaser poster, Motorola signs on just the right dotted lines to make its i1 push-to-talk Android handset official. Let's run through the specs quickly, shall we? A 3.1-inch HVGA (320 x 480) touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and 4x zoom, WiFi, and microSD expansion -- no mention of the processor, so we'll have to find out on our own later. The OS version is 1.5 and, while there's oddly not a single mention in either the press release of fact sheet, given the official images and unofficial leaks, it's definitely got Motoblur. The browser of choice is Opera Mini 5 with support for Flash 8, and if you're worried about Mother Nature's wrath, the i1 meets Military 810F standards for handling averse weather conditions. iDEN lovers can pick up the call sometime this summer on Sprint, with price yet to be named. Update: Motorola's just sent word that the i1 does not have Motoblur, despite the presence of the traditional green call / blue contacts buttons. That begs the question, then, of what exactly defines Motoblur here (is just the Happenings widget missing?), and what Android skin is on the i1 -- the press images here are definitely not showing vanilla 1.5. We're still awaiting a response to that, stay tuned. %Gallery-88737%
Opera Mini 5 on Android mini review
Opera's Mini 5 beta finally hit Android in the wee hours of this morning and, while writing about what it looks like is nice, we thought a little walk-through to demonstrate the impressive speed of the thing was worthwhile. So we have a short video for you below, with a comparison against the stock Android browser, plus some impressions of just how it is to use. So, click on through, won't you?
Opera Mini 5 beta comes to Android
Though its pure Java and BlackBerry counterparts had gone live late last year, Opera's Android version of the Opera Mini 5 beta has been missing in action -- until now. As far as we can tell, the new cut is a dead ringer for its cousins on other platforms, bringing all of 5's new features including the so-called "speed dial" bookmark browser, tabbing, and an integrated password manager. We've had just a little bit of time to check it out so far, and our initial impression is that it's wicked fast and renders just like you'd expect Opera Mini to, but the downside -- and this is a big one for Android users on newer devices -- is that it doesn't appear to support multitouch. The new version is available for download today.
Motorola i1 gets clearer: 5 megapixel cam, Opera Mini default browser?
We've been slipped some additional information on Motorola's imminent Android-powered i1 for iDEN networks today -- actually, one correction and one interesting note. First, the correction: we're now being told (by the same tipster as before) that it's actually got a 5 megapixel camera on board, a nice upgrade from the 3 we'd previously been told to expect. More interestingly, though, we're also hearing that Opera Mini has been tapped as the i1's default browser -- a move that Moto is more than welcome to make since this is a Blur-powered, non-"Google Experience" device. It's also a possible admission that third-party Android browsers are currently outperforming Google's own, something Microsoft has long dealt with on Windows Mobile as companies like HTC ultimately ended up bundling Opera Mobile with virtually every model they sold. So, Sprint Direct Connect and Boost Mobile customers, you getting excited about this thing or what?
Opera Mini 5 beta shuns Java for Windows Mobile version
Got WinMo? Don't have a Java VM? No problem! Opera has taken the time to rewrite its Opera Mini 5 beta as a native Windows Mobile application compatible with both 5 and 6.x-based handsets, meaning you won't need the Java compatibility that's traditionally required to run it -- compatibility that ironically makes it one of the more widely-deployed mobile browsers in the world. Though the thicker, fuller-featured Opera Mobile product is already a stalwart on WinMo that HTC bundles with the better portion of its devices, the presumed advantage with Mini is that it's tighter, faster, and consumes considerably less data -- perfect when roaming or on a low-allowance plan. Heck, why not have both? The Mini beta download is available now.
Opera Mini on iPhone is fast, but why?
We came, we saw, and we're still scratching our heads over what Opera is up to with its Mobile World Congress demonstration of its Opera Mini browser running on the iPhone 3GS. But before we get into that, let's talk performance: it's fast. Opera Mini is very, very fast on the iPhone. Loading the New York Times, for example, was about 5x faster than loading the same page in the iPhone 3GS' stock browser. Pages loaded smoothly and were interactive just as quickly as the content began to load -- not unlike the Safari browsing experience. From a functionality standpoint, Opera Mini operates exactly as it does on other, less-contentious platforms. So while double-tap to zoom is supported, pinch-to-zoom is not. The iPhone version does, however, remember the state of the browser when you exit Opera Mini. As such, you'll find your tabs and recent pages right where they were when you last used the app. The impressive performance gain has to do with how Opera Mini works. First, it's not doing any rendering of the pages or code processing locally. Web pages are processed by Opera's servers before sending just the results to the iPhone. Not only does this speed up the local processing but it also limits the amount of data sent -- a potential big money saver for people browsing while data roaming (like us in Barcelona) or for those without unlimited data plans. Unfortunately, Opera refused to let us or anyone photograph the app or take any video of it in action. We couldn't even photograph the Opera icon in the launch bar or the wallpaper adorned with the Opera logo. Why? It looks just like Opera Mini beta on any other device so it's not like we're exposing any competitive intelligence. And it's not like Opera would be violating any Apple NDA related to the SDK or the app approval process. Unfortunately, Opera was unable to give us a valid reason other than, "you just can't." So why is Opera making such a fuss about this before it has even submitted to Apple for approval? We have three theories that we discussed with Igor Netto, Senior Product Manager within Opera's Mobile group. Click through if you like conspiracies.