Opera Mobile 9.5 beta due July 15 - at last!

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 27 June 2008 07:25

Opinion and Analysis

Opera say that 9.5 beta for mobile “will be based on the same browser engine as Opera 9.5 for desktop, and this is the reason why it has taken some time to get it ready.”

Further, Opera explain that: “A new version of the browser engine will ensure that you can surf the Web with a browser supporting the latest and greatest in Web standards.”

Given Opera Mobile 9.5’s appearance on the HTC Touch Diamond, questions have been asked as to why it got the browser first.

In response, Opera says: “Some versions of Opera Mobile 9.5 are already shipping on great phones like the HTC Touch Diamond, and some of you have asked why we wouldn't be able to release it publically yet.

“As you probably know, releasing a version that works on a large variety of phones is more complex than making it work on one specific phone. You should also expect a few differences between the versions that are pre-installed on phones and the public version of Opera Mobile 9.5.

“We'll have more details about the product in the near future. Thanks again, and we hope you're ready for some beta testing with us”, concludes the blog entry.

So... the wait is (almost) over. It looks like it will be the best browser yet for Symbian and Windows Mobile phones, and comes long before Microsoft’s promised revamp of Internet Explorer Mobile for Windows Mobile devices.

In addition, I can’t see Microsoft’s new browser being anywhere near as polished as Opera Mobile 9.5.

Sorry Microsoft, you’ve had years and we’re still waiting! We’ve been waiting for Opera Mobile 9.5 too but in the meantime Opera Mobile 8.65 has wiped the floor with your previous Windows Mobile efforts.

Firefox is planning a mobile version too, but how long will we have to wait for that? It took them 3 years to go from Firefox 2 to Firefox 3 on the PC, so I'm not holding my breath.

So come July 15, if you’re a Windows Mobile device owner, pop on over to Opera’s website, download the new beta and prepare to a mobile Internet experience that will blow you away and will make even your iPhone or iPhone 3G owning friends a bit jealous!