Opera Mobile

The day finally arrives

By Frode Haugefhauge. Thursday, July 17, 2008 6:26:50 AM

The first beta of Opera Mobile 9.5 is finally available for you to download. This will be the first in a series of betas for Opera Mobile 9.5. It is designed for Windows Mobile 5 and 6 phones with touchscreens.

The market has undergone a series of dramatic changes since our last major Opera Mobile upgrade. Apple entered the mobile browser market with Safari on the iPhone. Mozilla announced it will release a version of Firefox Mobile later this year and many other players are releasing browsers targeted for smartphones.

We have some fierce competition, but we are determined to keep Opera Mobile as the standard in Web browsing on smartphones. To achieve this, we need your help more than ever. Please file bugs and give us feedback in the forums and even feature requests. Our development team is active on the My Opera forums and will answer questions and do their best to help you out as you put the beta through its paces.

As I write this, I've just left for a much-needed vacation. I expect a long list of bugs and feature-requests to be waiting for me when I get back. After I return, we'll get back to our regular programming with updates on the roadmap and subsequent betas.

Happy bug-hunting!

Edit: Head over to dev.opera.com to read more about the browser from a developer angle or to find out how to use Dragonfly with this beta.

Edit2: This beta will only work on touchscreen-based windows mobile devices. We are planning to add compatibility for non-touchscreen phones in the future.

Edit3: Main testing has been done on English HTC devices (Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, Touch, Touch Dual, Touch Cruise, TyTN and Wizard) and Samsung i900.

A few final bugs...Opera and keyboard support.

Comments

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Tamil # Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:06:13 AM

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:12:05 AM

revanmj writes: when there will be version for smartphone (non-touchscreen) ?

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:16:44 AM

Vladimyr writes: I don't believe :yikes:

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:30:37 AM

Matt writes: Such an improvement over the leaked beta! Thanks guys - worth the wait. My only major gripe is it still doesn't support the hardware keypad on my Touch Dual. But hey... that's nothing:)

Idan AdarYtseJam # Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:31:55 AM

revanmj, according to Haavard in the Opera Mobile forums, Opera Software indeed plans to support non-touchscreen phones in the future. In which version is unknown, though.

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:16:52 AM

[i]Personal attack removed by moderator.[/i] [whisper]soldierblade writes: For the last several months Opera has used the Q9H as a figurehead in images related to Mobile 9.5, just to get the hope of smartphone (not PDA) owners up and on this day, the day we have all been waiting for, without any prior warning, we get slighted just as the S60 owners were a few days ago? Let me guess...."You'll just have to wait awhile." No, sorry, I've waited 6 bloody months. I'm done waiting. Haavard and company have just lost a customer.[/whisper]

FavDjiXas # Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:13:35 AM

congrats

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:33:14 AM

Kevin writes: Just wanted to say well done guys. I've only used it for 5 minutes but the beta is already looking pretty good. It could do with being a little faster to render pages, but it beats the hell out of Pocket IE for functionality already. Roll on full release...

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:36:47 AM

HerwigF writes: When trying to launch the .CAB file directly in an HP IPAQ 6140, I get a message that this is not a valid Setup file. I am not intending to use this bloated Microsoft Activesync (and actually had problems with it before), so is there a way to install Opera Mobile without it?

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:37:13 AM

Anarion writes: Hopefully we Symbian S60 users don't have to wait long.

Investor # Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:42:09 AM

Grizlupo # Thursday, July 17, 2008 12:10:55 PM

Woot!

Gratz guys!

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 12:46:57 PM

Mike writes: I was really hoping that non-touchscreen devices were included in this initial beta release. I guess I have to go back to Opera Mini for a while longer. Please don't keep us waiting too long!!

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 1:03:49 PM

Anonymous writes: this is ridiculous. You guys have a picture of a non touchscreen Q9 global promoting opera 9.5!!! you will support it in the future. Whatever, excuses are like ah, everyone has one. So lets understand this scenario further, You have alienated all of our Symbian brothers and Sisters for now, and 50% of the Windows Mobile crowd. Will be deleting everything opera related off my phone and pc. You guys just dont care about your customers.

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 1:11:45 PM

Anonymous writes: so, you need our help in testing? Question: will the update for poeple who bought opera 8.x be free or will we have to pay again? it is VERY INTERESTING how all opera people avoid this question like the plague... If we have to pay AGAIN i certainly will not test anything but wait for firefox or safari (on my android mobile ;) )

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 1:19:18 PM

Anonymous writes: I agree with my smartphone brother 1 above. This is not a good day for Opera. You mislead your customers and keep telling them to wait. Well I am doing the same. will not use Opera at all. true as well our your market strategy. support 50% of the distant 2nd (WM) devices and no support for the largest (Symbian) in the world. Baffling, misleading, and pathetic.

Investor # Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:09:20 PM

Anonymous writes:

so, you need our help in testing? Question: will the update for poeple who bought opera 8.x be free or will we have to pay again? it is VERY INTERESTING how all opera people avoid this question like the plague... If we have to pay AGAIN i certainly will not test anything but wait for firefox or safari (on my android mobile )

Well, think about it. If beta 1,2,3... X is a free download, how can they charge $ 20 for the final, the last bugfix ?

(At that point in time competitors have versions out for free too. Mobile market follows PC market. Browsers are for free for end-user. Money is made by pre-installs with warranty, and by usage, eg. through Google search deal...)

JoeGoJoeGo # Thursday, July 17, 2008 4:25:41 PM

@All the anonymous trolls: the only one who has mislead you is yourself. You made up things in your head that Opera were supposed to deliver according to you, and when they don't deliver what your fantasy dictates, you throw a tantrum

Dark FurieFurie # Thursday, July 17, 2008 4:40:40 PM

In support of my fellow phone owners I'm deleting everything Opera off my phone and PC as well. I'm also going to be fire-bombing all Opera houses in the immediate vicinity and sending a crack commando team to destroy Sydney Opera House.

If only Opera had delayed the beta until it could give support to non-touchscreen phones instead of releasing a beta that supports some phones and promising support for others later on. Everyone would have been happy to wait. You can see how patient they are just a couple of blog posts down. How dare they make you wait?

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 5:55:31 PM

talon95 writes: I will admit that I wish the folks at Opera would have been more specific regarding the devices this beta would cover. My primary portable web browsing device is a non-touchscreen Windows Mobile 6 Smartphone and I was looking forward to seeing that web experience. The surprise at finding out that this beta is only for touchscreen devices is a source of disappointment, though I'd hope that we'd all be mature enough to get over it without having to lash out with some of these vicious posts. That being said, I also have a touchscreen Windows Mobile 5 device, though it's not a phone. I can use the beta on that device thru wi-fi or direct connection to a PC. And I do have to say that what I've seen so far is impressive. I have a VGA device and even in zoomed out mode the headline text is easy to read. The scrolling is very fast, as is zooming. The experience is MUCH more like desktop browsing than IE and earlier versions of Opera Mobile. Nice job! I can't wait to see the non-touchscreen version!

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 6:11:19 PM

uKER writes: Great, you've made 10% of your customers happy for a while. Now get on with the rest of us.

Stvad # Thursday, July 17, 2008 6:54:57 PM

Mod edit: English please.

Dark FurieFurie # Thursday, July 17, 2008 6:58:49 PM

I love seeing all the demands people are making about a product they're not paying a cent for. It makes me wonder why Opera doesn't just run private betas and gets me pissed at all the children who seem determined to make them either do that or release an untested product as the commercial version. Isn't anyone happy that they'll be given the chance to test the product out for free in future?

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 7:03:36 PM

Anonymous writes: I am one of the 10% happy ones. To the rest of you - sour grapes...

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 7:39:47 PM

Anonymous writes: Seriously...I'm a happy Symbian user and wish the beta was available, but this bashing is outrageous and unfair. Firefox Mobile has so far said they are Windows Mobile and Linux only and Skyfire is initially working on Windows Mobile (with other support down the road maybe). At least Opera has expressed a committment to the Symbian platform. I'm prepared to wait for it.

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 7:47:49 PM

Anonymous writes: GOJoeGo, give me a break. anonymous trolls?? Maybe english isn't your primary language but when Opera announces a beta for "Windows Mobile", that encompasses more that WM PPC. They are not being forthright at all with us and this is just another example of it. All I am saying is they should be more specific and not mislead their customers. They attempted to manage the expectations of others in the last blog but decided not to do so with other smartphone customers. I personally am just tired of waiting for them. It easy for you to say get over it but I know there are many others that are dissappointed today. I am willing to pay for this software as well so I am not looking for a free pass. So this anonymous troll is dissappointed and has every right to be today.

Dark FurieFurie # Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:39:51 PM

As long as you're not one of these demanding free software, spitting their dummies that they have to wait for a free application and telling people you'll delete everything Opera simply because the non-touchscreen version isn't available to test yet (when this very post says it will be supported later), no-one's got a problem with you. It's the ones acting like children that are annoying everyone.

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:51:14 PM

Anonymous writes: agreed Furie. I apologize if I am a little angry. I noticed there comment regarding supporting it later but they have lost a lot credibility at this point. The bad news is there really isn't much I can do about it so I will just move on.

JoeGoJoeGo # Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:11:13 PM

Yeah, they have lost credibility because they didn't follow your command and delay the beta for everyone just because you get angry when someone else gets to use it before you

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:12:21 PM

Anonymous writes: This beta is a huge step back from builds that were previously available on the internet such as Build 1522. While the skin looks nicer, I cannot believe the major steps backward such as (1) it disables sounds and notifications, (2) it will only use the default keyboard, (3) no flash or embedded media, etc. I was excited for this beta, but very disappointed that it ended up being a huge step backward. By the way, I'm using an HTC Touch, and I find it hard to believe that "Main testing has been done on English HTC devices." How were these issues allowed to get into this beta?!

prking # Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:17:30 PM

Having read about some of the showstopper bugs in the beta, I'm now actually glad the Symbian version has been delayed. Hopefully by the time its available they will be fixed.

JoeGoJoeGo # Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:31:00 PM

"These issues" got into the beta because it's a beta and because making a browser work on hundreds of different phones is different from making a custom version for one specific phone (Diamond).

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:19:45 PM

Anonymous writes: Hey, good job with Opera Mobile 9.5. I tried it on my XV6700 and it works great! Don't worry about those Symbian users; they can get a new phone. Just focus on getting Opera Mobile 9.5 polished up and becoming the best mobile browser out there! :D

Anonymous # Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:27:25 PM

Anonymous writes: GoJoeGo, One can only hope that the bugs ruin your ability to type comments.... By the way, regarding your comments above, Opera had years to develop this software and release it to multiple platforms. They have failed in that endeavor. I, for one am glad others are getting a chance to use it but I find it funny that you take pleasure in others displeasure. There are many people that have thus far been excluded from this process but I wouldn't want anyone to be denied the chance to try this out. Well, except you so lets hope the Opera bugs somehow disconnect your gloating attitude.

Dark FurieFurie # Thursday, July 17, 2008 11:46:33 PM

I think he's got a Symbian phone, same as me. We'll probably have to wait even longer than Windows Mobile owners without touchscreens and we're not whining about it.

Investor # Friday, July 18, 2008 3:48:39 AM

Originally posted by talon95:

Nice job! I can't wait to see the non-touchscreen version!

I can't wait either. How is the intelligent zooming going to work on a non touchscreen ?. Touchscreen allows direct access to point of interest. Minimizing number of clicks is the name of the game. If user can't select content or link in max 2 clicks , then non touchscreen devices simply can't compete, in this new world order (iPhone, Diamond, Omnia). The Opera Mini sollution ain't good enough for expensive smartphones, too many steps.

So again, can't wait to see how Opera solved the problem

(Feeding dinosaurs used to be a bad business-model

)

Anonymous # Friday, July 18, 2008 4:17:59 AM

Anonymous writes: Hello all. Well I am not surprised that this initial beta release is for windows mobile 5/6 PPC. Being a dinosaur and still using a WM standard device, I am dissappointed but I have decided to buy a touchscreen device on Craigslist so i can jump into the fray. Anyone know if the HTC Tytn is any good? I know it's a little out of date but I found one preowned for 75.00. The guy selling it bought an Iphone recently so he is just looking to unload it. I can unlock it and use it for mobile browsing purposes. I am going to be realistic about this and realize that the WM Standard devices are just not designed to take advantage of this type of technology. Hopefully Opera will release betas for all devices soon.

Anonymous # Friday, July 18, 2008 4:19:27 AM

Dave writes: sorry I meant to name myself.... Hello all. Well I am not surprised that this initial beta release is for windows mobile 5/6 PPC. Being a dinosaur and still using a WM standard device, I am dissappointed but I have decided to buy a touchscreen device on Craigslist so i can jump into the fray. Anyone know if the HTC Tytn is any good? I know it's a little out of date but I found one preowned for 75.00. The guy selling it bought an Iphone recently so he is just looking to unload it. I can unlock it and use it for mobile browsing purposes. I am going to be realistic about this and realize that the WM Standard devices are just not designed to take advantage of this type of technology. Hopefully Opera will release betas for all devices soon.

Investor # Friday, July 18, 2008 5:19:49 AM

@Dave,

Oh, didn't have users in mind, but manufacturers, releasing phones tomorrow with yesterdays technology. If Opera can figure out how to make eg. Symbian S60 really competitive, they might get a call from Nokia begging for 9.5 pre-installs.

That would be nice

(That challenge is probably why Symbian version ain't out yet)

Anonymous # Friday, July 18, 2008 7:47:15 AM

giles_gs writes: The new opera version is really great. This is the first Opera Browser which has the chance to compete with S60 Safari Browser or Safari Browser of the Iphone in terms of speed, rendering and UI. But still there are some things that can be improved: - the "Back" Button is difficult to reach in the menu bar. It would be better if there would be a back button. Instead one could programm a function which detects if the finger tip goes from the left to the right into the display from the left display side. If this happens than go back to the last webpage. So you have the effect of shifting the webpage to the right for going back. - The History access is poor. The Visual History of S60 is much more intuitive. Is something like this possible in Opera?

JoeGoJoeGo # Friday, July 18, 2008 8:17:09 AM

Opera had years to develop this software and release it to multiple platforms. They have failed in that endeavor.

Gee, what if, you know, they had other things to do than focus on dinosaur tech? Maybe the important thing is to get the cool tech out first, and then look at other things? Just because they haven't been working on getting your phone working doesn't mean that they have "failed".

I, for one am glad others are getting a chance to use it but I find it funny that you take pleasure in others displeasure.

I'm not taking pleasure in anyone's displeasure. I'm just exposing people's hypocrisy.

"If I can't have this, no one else should either!"

It's crazy!

Anonymous # Friday, July 18, 2008 9:52:56 AM

Anonymous writes: such a nice thing to see symbian left over...:(

Anonymous # Friday, July 18, 2008 1:49:55 PM

Anonymous writes: Thanks Investor. I knew what your talking about and your are spot on correct. It seems like Verizon, T-mobile usa, ATT wireless, and Sprint are going to begin to bring out more powerful devices with touchscreens this fall but they still are selling tons of WM Standard devices with updated technology. I'm a T-mobile customer and the only touchscreen device Thats why I'm just going to take plunge into WM Professional although its not like this is a big leap forward. haha. I am going to buy this used PPC (HTC TyTn) today and play around with it and download Opera beta. If anyone has this phone, let me know if this is a good device. It looks like Opera listed it as one of the phones they used for beta testing. Once the new phones hit the market, I will jump to a Diamond, Touch Pro, Xperia X1, or some other device. Heck I would love to try a Symbian device but I havent seen any selection here. Thanks

Anonymous # Friday, July 18, 2008 1:52:16 PM

dave writes: sorry I keep doing this but I try to send responses and it corrupts: Anonymous writes: Thanks Investor. I knew what your talking about and your are spot on correct. It seems like Verizon, T-mobile usa, ATT wireless, and Sprint are going to begin to bring out more powerful devices with touchscreens this fall but they still are selling tons of WM Standard devices with updated technology. I'm a T-mobile customer and the only touchscreen device they have in the Wing which is only 200Mhz and edge enabled. Not very compelling. Thats why I'm just going to take plunge into WM Professional although its not like this is a big leap forward. haha. I am going to buy this used PPC (HTC TyTn) today and play around with it and download Opera beta. If anyone has this phone, let me know if this is a good device. It looks like Opera listed it as one of the phones they used for beta testing. Once the new phones hit the market, I will jump to a Diamond, Touch Pro, Xperia X1, or some other device. Heck I would love to try a Symbian device but I havent seen any selection here. Thanks

Anonymous # Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:32:58 AM

Mynabird writes: Any idea whether opera will release a version that runs on WM2003SE device?? I hope i can still continue using my IPAQ HX4700, it's processor and screen are still quite relevant these days, except the WM2003SE OS. Thanks Have a nice day.:)

Dark FurieFurie # Saturday, July 19, 2008 2:55:34 PM

Anyone wanna see Opera 9.5 on s60 phones? I've got it on three of them.

Bad WolfCois # Saturday, July 19, 2008 5:10:31 PM

Dark FurieFurie # Saturday, July 19, 2008 5:17:17 PM

Impressive, wasn't it.

Anonymous # Saturday, July 19, 2008 5:37:36 PM

Anonymous writes: i thbk tehe current symbian os is th far behind ...so opera will not spend time for something that has no future... they will w8 for the new symbian platform the touchable one... :)

Dark FurieFurie # Saturday, July 19, 2008 5:42:36 PM

One phone later this year instead of the millions of the currently installed user base. Don't think so.

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