The next step in mobile browsing

By danigoldman. Wednesday, 17. October 2007, 22:29:21

It's been a month and a half since we released the second beta of Opera Mini 4. People seem to be loving it. I wanted to give you all a quick update on what we've been working on in our labs.

Although we can't yet reveal too much, suffice it to say, we're continuing to work on ways to bring Web browsing on your mobile phone to the masses, while still having the absolute coolest technology out there. We've come up with something exciting, in which we think will take mobile browsing to a whole new level.

So what can you expect to see with the upcoming Opera Mini 4 beta? Well, I don’t want to spill the beans too early, but I will say the following: Mobile browsing is coming very close to the browsing on your computer. More to come at our Rock Opera event in San Francisco.

We're planning on releasing a new beta of Opera Mini 4 next week. The new beta is timed with the release of the Desktop 9.5 beta..

Opera Mini 4 beta 2Getting close to beta 3

Comments

I'm guessing bookmark syncing. Its currently been in 9.5 alpha but hasn't yet appeared in opera mini.

By shoust, # 17. October 2007, 22:57:06

By BAMAToNE, # 17. October 2007, 22:57:20

Any chance we can request the ability to ignore mobile stylesheets?

Can't wait for the new beta guys. The last one rocked. Absolutely perfect.

By Furie, # 18. October 2007, 09:15:33

Good work to all, Opera is the best with any devices and systems

By Kuja IX, # 18. October 2007, 13:06:33

Hmmm, something exciting to take mobile browsing to the next level. Hmmm...

By Furie, # 18. October 2007, 13:15:38

i hope that will bookmark and speeddial sync (speeddial-->In Opera Mini startup page)
+ Browse with tab (like in opera 2 mod)?

By Lali19871014, # 18. October 2007, 18:27:25

Speed-dial is a great idea. Maybe keeping the last version of the page in the cache for faster loading. Tabs would also be good.

Does the announcement in the Rock Opera party mean that the new feature wont be in the new beta next week?

By Furie, # 18. October 2007, 18:36:57

Furie, you'll have to wait just a few more days..

By danigoldman, # 18. October 2007, 18:43:16

So that's a "maybe but after last time we're not gonna let you know" then.

By Furie, # 18. October 2007, 18:45:07

I volunteer myself to be told instead

By theoddbod, # 18. October 2007, 19:22:56

He's a spy from Teaminisharkmo

By Furie, # 18. October 2007, 19:25:36

Never!

Opera Mini for ever!

this post was written in Beta 2 after 250MB of use

By theoddbod, # 18. October 2007, 19:51:14

I hope you pay for unlimited data

By Kuja IX, # 18. October 2007, 20:00:46

fi real mi can't wait fi it fi land

By jamaicaguy, # 19. October 2007, 00:21:54

Only one week!

No photo contest?

By myeagle, # 19. October 2007, 06:23:56

WOW OPERA JUZ RULES IN MOBILE WORLD. HAY I JUZ WANA C PAGE SAVE OPTION IN IT SMDAY. OPERA RULZ. I AM REALLY CONGRATULATIN OPERA MINI TEAM TO DO SUCH GREAT WORK. KEEP IT UP. U GUYZ RULS.

By RAHUL_MARTIAL, # 19. October 2007, 12:07:21

This is great!

But there is one feature that I'm waiting for more than anything (yeah, I know, there's no way it could get implemented in this third beta, but I'm still hoping for it in a future version of Opera Mini). It is an option to swap functionality of joystick/joypad/directional keys and numeric keypad navigation. There are many users who have problems with default navigational devices (like the joystick of my phone - it has hypersensitive center and you can never be sure what will you accidentally hit). An option to swap these (a hotkey would be the best solution) would be a great improvement. I have posted some five posts in wishlists concerning this topic, but there has not been any positive improvement to this situation (to put it simply - noone gives a f**k about a few people, begging for help)...

By U-D13, # 19. October 2007, 12:59:45

Better fonts on sony ericsson... somehow... please...

By ohshady, # 19. October 2007, 17:53:28

I think they use the phone's default fonts.

Sorry dude.

By Furie, # 19. October 2007, 18:47:06

What's wrong with the fonts?

By theoddbod, # 19. October 2007, 18:57:51

Hi,

I play with 4beta, daily, and it runs Gmail along with isolated URLs on my unlocked Treo 650 (GSM).

However, it jams on many WebMail sites including my Open WebMail.

I hope the next version of Mini 4 runs smoothly on my Treo 'phone. Opera 3.1 is fantastic, never jams or freezes the cell 'phone.

I usually allow about 2 mins. for a soft reset when chartering waters outside of Gmail for 4beta (version 2). It's certain to freeze up the 'phone, usually 25% to 33% during the Downloading progress bar.

Am sure you will fix this.

Meanwhile, I'm sticking with Mini 3.1 and its speed. Even 4beta, when it's working perfectly, has a "delay" in the PROCESSING operation.

Not complaining, just stating the facts (in relation to my Treo).

Keep up the good work!

Regards, Douglas

By artcraft, # 20. October 2007, 01:32:22

Instant messaging? Finally!

By dantesoft, # 20. October 2007, 04:18:41

can't wait.

By IceArdor, # 20. October 2007, 07:19:17

Five days left for xmas shopping...ho ho!
Sorry meant opera mini beta3 day

By jamaicaguy, # 20. October 2007, 13:57:53

Will it be able to support the new yahoo mail?
Because OM4 beta 2 is unable to access it.
What is ogg theoric?

By jamaicaguy, # 20. October 2007, 14:20:30

No way dont waste time on stupid i+messageing we need triple zoom in non fit to width format or more importantly vrml <seriously it sounds real cool on wiki>, and most importantly the dark horse and the most wished for feature i hope i dont jinx it although it is practically impossible but ! flash ! . You tube b**ch

By Lancel, # 20. October 2007, 23:19:25

Don't support messaging but do fit full Flash into a 100kb application and enable virtual reality via mobile phones???

By Furie, # 21. October 2007, 00:00:05

Heh, my guess, that guy (Lancel) has absolutely no idea what is Flash and how does this thing works... The Flash plugin alone (on PC) 'weighs' more than a megabyte... And you want this to be stuffed into a 100 KByte Java application?

By U-D13, # 21. October 2007, 01:22:58

Even if it could be included in the app, you'd still have to download the entire Flash file to your phone. It's not like a web page where they can rip out or rejig certain elements - to make it work in Mini they'd have to reverse-engineer on the fly, which is ridiculous as well as probably not permitted by Adobe.

By theoddbod, # 21. October 2007, 01:32:05

A man can dream, cant he plus I did say it was practically impossible ?

By Lancel, # 21. October 2007, 02:35:58

OGG THEORIC is a low memory video plug-in.Will it be on opera mini?

By jamaicaguy, # 21. October 2007, 06:55:25

Yeah!!!

Bring it on!

By ZingyPrince, # 21. October 2007, 08:47:04

I dream of that day too Lancel, but I wouldn't sacrifice anything for it. Or would I...? *goes hunting virgins*

By Furie, # 21. October 2007, 10:33:40

I want a push email client!!!!!!

By darkcg, # 21. October 2007, 23:01:31

Try Blackberry. I hear they're quite good at it.

By Furie, # 21. October 2007, 23:04:46

Very good!!! I can't wait

By JoseGustavo, # 22. October 2007, 05:17:24

It will come just in 3 days! How it's long! Hope this'll be a great step forward :-)

By dot.mishka, # 22. October 2007, 17:17:35

So, can we expect this third beta 25 October 2007?

By darkcg, # 23. October 2007, 00:01:12

Christmas comes exactly two months early, or Halloween comes six days early... Which will it be?

By Furie, # 23. October 2007, 01:11:05

i am almost certain now that opera is bringing flash and a file manager.

By murlidhar, # 23. October 2007, 10:36:17

The first would be useless even if possible. The second would take a hell of a lot of work to fit all the different file systems that phones use into one application.

By Furie, # 23. October 2007, 10:52:41

hungry to get the beta 3 for enjoying, I love desktop version and opera mini 2 for uiq3 too,hope this version can fix the cookie problem on v2

By xoo88, # 23. October 2007, 13:03:40

That's a point. I've NEVER had cookie problems with Beta 1 or 2 except for the first release day of Beta 1. Suddenly the past couple of days it won't keep me logged in anywhere.

By Furie, # 23. October 2007, 15:33:10

it is almost here

By jamaicaguy, # 25. October 2007, 00:26:59

Off-topic comment removed by moderator.

By Esauto, # 19. November 2007, 04:54:48

Opera Mini 4 - the released version - works fine on my Palm Treo 650, save not being able to delete messages in Open WebMail (acting on my server). I can do this in Mail2web.com, anyway, and do.

Mini 4 is so fast that except for cut/copy/paste operations, I let Blazer (the Palm OS browser) rust away.

Keep up the good work. Am very happy with your latest product!

Regards,
(signed) Douglas

By artcraft, # 18. December 2007, 12:31:35

:-D prity good.....!

By LADDUx, # 28. December 2007, 11:20:53

An early HAPPY NEW YEAR for the Opera Mini crew!

I can't believe how fast and responsive this 4th version is, now with "Mobile View" letting me eliminate the zoom/pointer feature.

My Treo 650 (GSM unlocked) is running for URLs and E-Mail more than this Tecra computer - where it serves as a "wireless modem" with USB/Bluetooth.

Accessing Gmail is far faster on this radiotelephone with Opera Mini than via a PC, where there are so many steps to enter the INBOX.

As for Yahoo search, I go to BOOKMARKS where Google is listed, by design. If you try Yahoo vs. Google on unusual subjects, Yahoo often lists about 25% less of the choices. That solved the Yahoo problem. Their E-Mail on the Web is cluttered and is a mess on my Treo; Gmail fills in nicely.

Regards from Maine (USA) - Douglas

By artcraft, # 28. December 2007, 13:40:51

although i am fan of opera on PC i never thought the team has also a product for mobiles. but when i come in knowledge of opera mini , i got shocked that they have created miraculous wap browser for mobiles too. & after using it i became fan of it. all the features are the best & innovative. what it lacks is to save pages for offline viewing. opera mini 4 cant save page on phone . so i request opera developer to add this features on mini too.

By ajaytandon, # 8. February 2008, 02:48:28