Opera Software today announced the worldwide release of Opera Mini, the full Web browser that runs on almost every mobile phone, including low- and mid-end handsets. Today's global launch follows the trials of Opera Mini in the Nordics and in Germany during the fall of 2005, which resulted in a user base of over one million people. Opera Mini is available free of charge via WAP download, or for a small fee via SMS.
"With Opera Mini most people can start surfing the Web with the mobile phone they have today," says Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. "We are proud to be the first to offer full, mobile Web browsing to the majority of the world's mobile phone users."
Installing Opera Mini is as simple as downloading a ringtone or a game. You simply send an SMS or direct your phone's WAP browser to http://mini.opera.com. Opera Mini compresses Web pages by up to 80% and reformats them using Small-Screen Rendering(TM) for easy and fast browsing on small, mobile screens. For the end-user, this means faster browsing and dramatically reduced phone bills for those who pay per KB in data traffic.
Opera Mini's start page features a Google search box for quick access to Web search. And the customizable bookmark list makes it easy to save and surf your favorite sites.
The first trial of Opera Mini was launched in Norway in August 2005, and Michael Gartenberg, VP & Research Director of Jupiter Research, called the little, but powerful, browser "a really big breakthrough for the mobile space." Opera now also offers customized versions of Opera Mini to mobile phone operators, handset manufacturers and other companies interested in offering a branded, full mobile Web browser to their customers.
Opera Mini is available as a free download by directing the phone's WAP browser to http://mini.opera.com . It can also be downloaded for a small fee via SMS download. Opera Mini requires that the phone supports Java.
Opera Mini is available in the following languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Russian, Polish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish. More languages will be available shortly.
If your still running Medianet or you have problems connecting to it ? Two words "chuck it " this browser is incredible and if your one of the unfortunate indviduals who pay for GPRS per kil then you really need this. The browser compresses data so that you use much less kilo while browsing and its fast as hell to ! I have a grandfathered in all in one internet plan with Cingular that deducts from my minutes much better by the way. Download it today !
2. Posted by booboy
Sat Mar 04, 2006 6:16 pm
looks like a winner!
3. Posted by London Calling
Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:51 am
Opera Mini is brilliant. According to CNN Money / Business 2.0 Opera Mini is one of three must have applications on your mobile phone. The other two are Movamail and Google Maps...
4. Posted by H82typ
Tue May 23, 2006 10:25 am
Not to say it isn't good, its grreat... when it works, which is _less_ than 50% of the time on my phone! I can't check Ymail, the pages don't load completely,and with their changes today I can't access forums,blogs in fact the community @ all! In their defense, they seem genuinely concerned about the glitches, but all I wanna do is surf...
5. Posted by London Calling
Tue May 23, 2006 11:19 am
Not to say it isn't good, its grreat... when it works, which is _less_ than 50% of the time on my phone! I can't check Ymail, the pages don't load completely,and with their changes today I can't access forums,blogs in fact the community @ all! In their defense, they seem genuinely concerned about the glitches, but all I wanna do is surf...
I have not experienced any problems with Opera Mini. I am not a heavy user though. I only access 1-2 a week. So perhaps I am just lucky. Opera Mini scrapes and republishes the site to your phone. Perhaps the problem is not in the process but changes that Yahoo or other sites make to their site.
6. Posted by H82typ
Tue May 23, 2006 8:48 pm
No, Y was just an example. Almost all sites are affected : loads 4/6kb and hangs there. Worst are forums - I usually can't see all the replies.
7. Posted by London Calling
Tue May 23, 2006 11:58 pm
Understood. I only use Opera Mini a few times a week, and have not had any issues. It has always worked flawlessly each time I have used it and served its purpose. Dont think there is a better solution out there at this point but if you find one let me know. Cheers!
Post a comment and discuss this story with other readers.
