Opera Mini Upgraded to Version 5.1, Adds Pinch-to-Zoom, Persistency, and Make Default
Opera’s updated their Android version of the popular Opera Mini browser to version 5.1. From what I can see at first glance, the update enhances several areas of the browser that most people had problems with. Specifically, you can now leave the app and return to see all of your tabs opened just how you left them. In earlier versions of the browser, you would need to start over nearly every single time you ventured away from the app.
This update also adds the ability to set Opera as Android’s default browser. Until now, users have had to use workaround apps such as Make It Default and OperaBridge in order to open the browser whenever clicking links in other apps. Finally, Opera’s added pinch-to-zoom functionality, but it’s shoddy, at best. It’s the same implementation that the iPhone version uses (where it’ll recognize the pinch-to-zoom gesture, but it won’t zoom in and out to specific levels).
You can find Opera Mini 5.1 now in the Android market.
[Thanks, Graham!]
[Update]: And now Opera’s made it official with some press release love. Get those goods right below.
Opera Mini 5.1 for Android released
Oslo, Norway – July 14, 2010
Opera spreads the love to Android mobile phone users. Opera Mini 5.1 is now available for phones built on the Android platform, offering better browsing performance and improved user experience.
With over 61 million users worldwide, Opera Mini is the world’s most popular browser for mobile phones, allowing much faster browsing speeds, while keeping the costs to a minimum. Browse at lightning speed today by downloading the free Opera Mini browser from the Android Market or at m.opera.com.
Opera Mini is a favorite not just on feature phones, but also on smartphones, scoring an impressive 1 million downloads on the iPhone during the first 24 hours of availability. Opera Mini is highly optimized for almost any handset, delivering the best Internet experience on more than 3000 mobile phone models.
Opera Mini raises the game on Android phones. Since its Opera Mini 5 beta release, Opera Mini can now be set as the default browser for more convenient Internet access. Opera Mini 5.1 also offers improved page layout on high-end Android handsets with large screens.
What we say
“Opera Mini 5.1 for the Android platform is the next step in bringing the world’s most popular mobile web browser to all major platforms, offering improved performance and great web experience to almost any handset,” says Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. “Opera Mini is used by over 61 million people on more than 3000 handset models and with today’s release Opera continues its mission to provide the best web experience on any device and on any platform.”
About Opera Mini
Opera Mini brings the Web to almost any handset by compressing data by up to 90 percent before sending content to the phone. This results in significantly improved page loading speed and reduced data costs for the user. For example, with webpages such as BBC.com, a normal mobile web browser will display a BBC News page roughly 1 time, as compared to 9 times with Opera Mini for the same cost.
In addition to providing speed and cost savings, Opera Mini 5.1 comes with useful features, such as tabbed browsing, password manager, bookmarks and Speed Dial, built into the browser to deliver easy web access while on-the-go. With Opera Mini optimized for Android phones, more people are able to get a PC-like browsing experience on their handsets.
Download
Download Opera Mini directly to your Android phone for free from the Android Market, or at m.opera.com. For more information, visit http://www.opera.com/mobile/.
Video
Watch the video at: URL
Screenshots
Screenshots are available at: http://www.opera.com/press/resources/.
About Opera Software ASA
Opera Software ASA has redefined web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera?s cross-platform web-browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.