If you thought HTML web browsing was only available on smartphones like the iPhone or AT&T PURE, think again. AT&T has just launched a handful of messaging-oriented featurephones packing the full-HTML “att.net” mobile web browser, blurring the line between what we consider to be dumbphones and smartphones. The att.net browser uses a three-window approach to delivering a rich browsing experience, and is powered by none other than Opera’s Mini browser. As far as we know, AT&T’s re-branding of the Opera Mini browser is Opera’s largest US carrier deal to date.
Getting back to that whole three-window approach. The first window in the att.net browser serves as a homepage of sorts. From the homepage, users can explore the internet, assign bookmarks, set preferences and access their favorite content. The second window delivers location-aware information like nearby restaurants, nightlife venues and ATMs, as well as maps, driving directions and traffic information. The third window serves up headline news from popular sports, entertainment and news sites.
As smartphones continue to gain market share, it’s only a matter of time before all phones are capable of what we consider to be “smartphone features.” AT&T’s re-branded Opera Mini browser is a big first step in bringing some of that smartphone functionality to the masses. You can find the att.net browser on the just launched Pantech Reveal and Impact and the Samsung Mythic and Flight.