opera

Google extending dominance to mobile search market

Paul Mah — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:21:52 -0400

Research data from Nielsen Mobile shows that search giant Google managed to capture a staggering 61 percent of the mobile search market. Yahoo and MSN were ranked and third in that category with 18 and 5 percent of the mobile search market.

Amazingly, part of the reason behind Google's stellar showing might actually be related to the fact that mobile searches from iPhones are 50 times higher compared to other handset. Google is set as the default search engine on the iPhone. But how does that square with MSN's poor showing, given the sheer number of Windows Mobile devices out there. The answer could be that other browsers, such as the popular Opera Mini--which has Yahoo set as the default destination--are easily installed on a Windows Mobile device.

For more on the mobile search market:
- check out this Ars Technica article

Opera Mini 4.1 released

Dan Bowman — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:07:12 -0400

Opera Mini 4.1 has just been released. If your phone is equipped with JSR-75, it is now possible to upload and download files. As such, those users who update their blog while on the go will now find that they can upload their photos at the same time. Alternatively, you can download attachments and files onto your phone.

Another new feature is the ability to search for text on a web page. Because Opera also upgraded its servers prior to this release, you now will receive requested web pages up to 50 percent faster. Version 4.1 looks like an increasingly strong contender in the mobile phone space. It is available for download here.

For more on Opera Mini:
- check out the Ars Technica article

HTC announces Touch Diamond

Mehan Jayasuriya — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:33:29 -0400

We told you it was coming and now, here it is: the Touch Diamond, HTC's answer to the iPhone. Here's what's on board:

• Windows Mobile 6.1
• High-rez VGA Screen (2.8-inch 640 x 480)
• Quad-band HSDPA 7.2
• Accelerometer
• Opera web browser

What's more, HTC has gone and skinned Windows Mobile 6.1 with a very slick "3-D animated touchscreen interface" that aims to make Windows Mobile both more attractive and more intuitive. The idea is that all of the phone's functions should be easily accessible with one finger, making the device easy enough for anyone to use but powerful enough for enterprise users. Gizmodo calls it "the closest thing so far to an iPhone that hasn't come out of Cupertino" and judging by the looks of it, the Touch Diamond really could be the first iPhone clone that's a real contender. I suppose we'll find out when the phone launches in Europe and Asia next month, and later in the year here in the States.

For more on the Touch Diamond:
- see this Gizmodo article

ALSO NOTED: Lotus Notes comes to the iPhone; Windows Mobile coming to MIDs;

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:59:50 -0400

> Sybase iAnywhere brings Lotus Notes to the iPhone. Article
> T-Mobile nabs the BlackBerry Pearl 8120. Article
> Adobe is developing a Flash player for the iPhone. Article (sub. req.)
> Windows Mobile coming to MIDs. Article
> Opera gets official on the Helio Ocean. Article
> REDFLY mobile companion gets pawed. Article

And Finally... Dell handset rumors persist. Article

The end of desktop browsers?

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:57 -0500

For nearly 15 years, the Internet has been defined by the words and graphics that show up in World Wide Web browser windows. Mosaic, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, Firefox, and more have come to be the interfaces through which users meet the information stored on the Internet. With the rise of smartphones and mobile Internet devices, however, desktop browsers may have finally hit the end of their long run at the top of the Internet heap. Research into the way people are using portable devices to reach the Internet indicates that shifts are happening, but they're shifts from desktop and laptop browsers to wireless device browsers that bring a rich browsing experience into the palm of the user's hand.

For more on mobile browsers:
Read the hands-on analysis at WirelessWeek

Mobile Firefox frees handsets

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

It was easy to get the feeling of freedom when wireless devices started accessing the Web, but users still tend to be locked into the browser that came pre-loaded on their smartphone. Oh, sure, some pioneers loaded Opera Mini to take the load off of their hand-held device, but most remained faithful to their phone's browser. The folks at Mozilla, however, want to bring browser freedom to the masses, and they've announced Firefox Mobile to accompany all the on-device portals and applications now being delivered. Look for downloads starting later this year.

For more on Mobile Firefox:
- read the complete news story at NetworkWorld

New version of Opera browser for phones

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:01:38 -0400

The war over which will become the preferred browser on mobile devices hasn't been quite as hot as the browser battle on the desktop, but it may well be heating up with the introduction of the latest version of the Opera Mini browser for mobile platforms that support Java. The new version, like Microsoft's DeepFish, displays an entire page in miniature on the device screen. Unlike DeepFish, however, the image is the page, on which the user can zoom to any spot, rather than a thumbnail image. Let the battle begin.

For more on Opera Mini 4:
- see this press release
- Read the product story at CIO-Today

Some Windows Mobile phones feature Opera

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:01:37 -0500

Some Windows Mobile devices sold in the coming months will have a software bonus on board. Opera, a free browser with a popular mobile version, will be shipped along with Windows Mobile on some devices from Motorola, HTC Asus, and Toshiba. It's not that Internet Explorer will be missing from these devices, but that certain users will be able to choose from two browsers on their devices. Why the additional browser choice? According to Opera staff, it's because the vendors want users of their more expensive devices to have a very good Internet experience--something that the speed-optimized Opera Mini may well deliver.

For more on Opera on Windows Mobile devices:
- read the article at TechWorld

A browser made for the mobile worker

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:01:37 -0500

Given the advancement of smartphones and their increasing user base, enterprises may want to consider alternative browsers that offer up great security features, online access to phone functionalities and an overall easier experience when jumping on the Internet. Opera's new Mini browser claims to provide all that and more. It boasts a data compression feature that filters websites for faster loading and viewing as well as improved user interface features such as "content folding" in which the browser rolls up long menus into a single button. Article