Opera Mini, the browser I install on everyone’s smartphone whether they give me permission or not, is the type of application you’d never associate with the iPhone. Apple doesn’t allow third party web browsers, so the fact that these crazy Norwegians plan on showing it off is actually quite exciting. Even in the press release, which is embedded below, Opera says “Opera Mini for iPhone is not publicly available”. Whether they plan to release it for jailbroken iPhones, or not to release it all, is anyone’s guess at this point.
Speculation aside, there are some other interesting, more solid things, that will be demoed by Opera at Mobile World Congress next week: Opera Mobile 10 beta 3 for Symbian and Windows Mobile handsets, Opera Mobile 10 beta on Android, and Opera Mini 5 beta, hopefully shown running on Android and with more new features since Opera Mini 5 beta 2 which launched over 2 months ago. Check out my review of Opera Mini 5 beta 1 here.
Opera Mini for iPhone sneak peek
Oslo, Norway — February 10, 2010
Opera Software, maker of the world’s most popular mobile Web browser, plans to reveal Opera Mini for iPhone in an exclusive press and partner preview during the 2010 Mobile World Congress (MWC). Visit Opera’s exhibit in Hall 1, C44, to witness a new way to surf the Web on the iPhone — an experience that Opera promises will be fast, easy to use, and packed with favorite Opera features.
Opera Mini is renowned for its compression technology, which results in significantly faster Web-page loading and reduces data surcharges. With favorite desktop features in its arsenal, such as tabs, Speed Dial and the password manager, Opera Mini is designed with usability in mind.
“We are thrilled to offer journalists and partners an exclusive preview of Opera Mini for iPhone during the year’s biggest mobile event,” said Jon von Tetzchner, Co-founder, Opera Software. “This is a unique opportunity to introduce the fast, feature-rich Opera Mini experience for the iPhone, and to showcase our latest beta releases of Opera Mobile and Opera Mini on other platforms and devices. Opera’s mission is to bring the Web to the world, and by making Opera Mini available on yet another platform, we are one step closer.”
While Opera Mini for iPhone is not publicly available, visitors without a press pass will not leave Opera’s stand disappointed. Opera will unveil a host of other Opera-powered devices at its exhibit. Check out the following Opera technology, live from MWC:
Opera Mobile 10 beta 3 on Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile handsets
Opera Mobile 10 beta running on Android handsets
Opera Mini 5 beta, running on a variety of handsets and platforms
Opera’s cross-platform Widgets Manager beta, running on Windows Mobile and S60 handsets