Sneak preview of Opera Mini
Tuesday, 20. December 2005, 16:30:07
Ok, so the news will reach you very soon: We've silently removed the restrictions on downloading Opera Mini. The official launch with bells and whistles and fireworks will be in late January, and lifting the restrictions was done to increase the server traffic as we are scaling up for the big, global launch. We may or may not restrict access again before the official launch, but for now Opera Mini is available, free of charge, to everyone. All you have to do is direct your phone's WAP browser to http://mini.opera.com.
I feel I am balancing on the edge here, because we could use a good pre-launch buzz on Opera Mini, but at the same time it is important that we don't get too much publicity now instead of in January. Opera Mini has been hailed by the industry and we at Opera are not the only ones who are very excited about its launch. With Opera Mini, almost everyone can get full Web access on the phone they already have, which is pretty cool, but just as important is looking at it from an industry level. With Opera Mini we are really bringing Mobile Web into the mainstream, with all the obvious implications and benefits that has for operators, content providers and end-users. January will be very exciting.
You should also check the Opera Mini forums on my.opera.com, where users share experiences, tips and tricks.
I feel I am balancing on the edge here, because we could use a good pre-launch buzz on Opera Mini, but at the same time it is important that we don't get too much publicity now instead of in January. Opera Mini has been hailed by the industry and we at Opera are not the only ones who are very excited about its launch. With Opera Mini, almost everyone can get full Web access on the phone they already have, which is pretty cool, but just as important is looking at it from an industry level. With Opera Mini we are really bringing Mobile Web into the mainstream, with all the obvious implications and benefits that has for operators, content providers and end-users. January will be very exciting.
You should also check the Opera Mini forums on my.opera.com, where users share experiences, tips and tricks.
WIDGETIZE
danigoldman # 20. December 2005, 17:45
Besides, if big publications write about it now in length, I doubt that they'll devote as much attention later on during it's official release.
haavard # 20. December 2005, 19:53
eskils # 20. December 2005, 20:01
It is important to keep in mind that Opera Mini is a mass market product aiming to move beyond the tech Internet community and browser/tech afficionados and into the mainstream. This will probably not happen overnight (i.e. in the days immediately following an official launch). At and after the official launch in January, we will approach this goal through many different channels. In addition to our own distribution, we are working on making Opera Mini available through channels such as operator- and mobile content portals, handset preinstallments etc.
It is tempting to compare the launch of a mobile browser (Mini) with that of the desktop browser. However, as we have experienced in the years we have been doing this, that does not necessarily make sense. The very concept of mobile Internet access is not that commonly known, and to most people this is something very new. To most people, Opera Mini is one of those "seeing is believing" services. Not with you or any of the other people who read this blog, because you are all advanced users and early adopters. But to most people.
So, we have temporarily lifted the download restrictions not only to allow more traffic through our servers (which we need to scale up for the launch), but also to give people like you, the press and analysts a chance to try it. When Opera Mini launches in January, it is already well known in the tech/Internet community, and as you know, that is important to facilitate a broader, mass market penetration.
I appreciate your comments, and feel free to write me any time!