Web browser maker Opera is staying busy, unleashing several new versions of its product upon the populace today. Both of its on the go browsers have been updated with modern technology like pinch-to-zoom, sharing to other apps, improved scrolling and new tablet-friendly interfaces, while its also ready to show off a new version for set-top boxes and updating tools to help developers create apps for Opera-powered TVs. In case you need a scorecard, Opera Mini 6 (available for J2ME, Android, Blackberry, Symbian/S60) compresses pages before downloading them and Opera Mobile 11 (for Android, Symbian, Windows 7, MeeGo, Maemo) promises the entire web for those on high speed connections like WiFi, explaining the platform crossover. Peep the demo above or press releases after the break if you're still not sure what pinch-to-zoom means in or just point your mobile browser to m.opera.com and download the latest version for your device -- iOS need not apply at this time.
Opera Mobile 11 & Opera Mini 6 screenshots
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Debuting all new Opera Mini 6 and Opera Mobile 11
Oslo, Norway - March 22, 2011
Can't get no satisfaction from the mobile Web? Then you will fall head over heels for the new Opera Mini and Opera Mobile browsers launched today, now also available to cherish on tablets. Opera's mobile browsers are the world's most popular, the weapon of choice for 100 million people worldwide, used on more than 3000 devices. If you still haven't found what you are looking for, there is an Opera out there available for you. Download to your phone from: m.opera.com and don't stop til you get enough.
What's new, pussycat?
Smooth operator
Improved scrolling, panning and zooming make the Opera Mini and Opera Mobile browsers the sweetest thing to hit mobile devices since the Opera Mini 5 browser.
Pinch-to-zoom
Feel free to twist and shout now that Opera's features include true pinch-to-zoom on devices that support pinch.
Sharing
When you find something, let it be ... shared. The new versions feature a share button, so you can easily post, Tweet (twiddly-diddly-deet), or just shout it out loud on Facebook, vKontakte or My Opera.
Now also optimized for tablets
Is it any wonder? Opera for tablets brings smooth browsing to your tablet PC with a brand new interface that is sure to rock you like a hurricane.
What we say
"If you've lost that loving feeling for the Web on your phone or tablet, don't let it bring you down. Just try one of our browsers," said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. "The sun always shines on TV, but the Opera browser shines on more than 3000 devices."
Who are you? The difference between the Opera Mini and Opera Mobile browsers
* The Opera Mini browser uses Opera's servers to shake, rattle and roll webpages down to a tenth of their original size before sending them to your phone. Because the data transferred is smaller, pages arrive faster than the speed of sound. On a pay-as-you-go plan, the Opera Mini browser dramatically cuts the price you pay, because the data you use is greatly reduced. The Opera Mini browser makes any device Internet savvy.
* The Opera Mobile browser gives you the whole of the moon on smartphones and tablets. The strange magic of HTML5? Check. Full, high fidelity web browsing? Check. Sharing the same Opera Presto browser engine found in Opera's desktop browser, the Opera Mobile browser is the premier option for fast, powerful browsing when on unlimited Internet data plans or Wi-Fi.
Availability
* The Opera Mini 6 browser brings the fireworks to J2ME, Android, BlackBerry and Symbian/S60 phones.
* The Opera Mobile 11 browser sings hallelujah on the Android, Symbian, Windows 7 desktop (labs release), MeeGo (labs release) and Maemo (labs release) platforms.
What you waiting for? Walk this way with your mobile device: m.opera.com.
Press kit
You can download a press kit by following this link.
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/.
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HbbTV solution ready to electrify market
Opera Software and TARA Systems technology bring manufacturers more flexibility and cost savings
London, UK - March 22, 2011
Today at the IP&TV World Forum, Opera Software and TARA Systems, the independent provider of flexible software solutions for TVs and other devices, announced the availability of a fully-integrated HbbTV solution for connected TVs and set-top boxes (STBs). The released solution gives manufacturers improved flexibility and planning reliability.
Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) brings viewers the richness of broadcast interactive services combined with broadband content, available for connected TVs and STBs. HbbTV opens the door for a new interactive TV experience, including video-on-demand, catch-up TV, interactive advertising, personalization, digital text, games and social networking. The HbbTV technology is already implemented by major players in the European TV market, such as RTL, ARD, ZDF and ARTE.
The newly available combined product will integrate the latest Opera browser rendering engine with TARA's HbbTV framework and advanced Digital Video Broadcasting middleware. The result is a ready-to-market HbbTV solution that gives OEMs maximum flexibility and brings to users a feature-rich experience with full support for next-generation broadcast portals and services. The highly modular approach enables device manufacturers to deploy the HbbTV software in almost any possible scenario, independent of DVB stack and chipset.
"Opera is the leader in innovative web-technology based solutions for TVs and set-top boxes," said Frode Hernes, VP of Products, TV and Connected Devices, Opera Software. "Our partnership with TARA Systems broadens our customers' choices for fully integrated HbbTV solutions, making it possible for TV and STB manufacturers to rapidly implement HbbTV functionality on their devices. This can help manufacturers to get products to market faster while saving money on development costs."
"For TARA Systems, HbbTV is of strategic importance," said Managing Director Alexander Wass. "Currently, we see more and more manufacturers which want to add the HbbTV feature to their existing software. For these customers, we offer together with Opera an independent and reliable solution with well designed interfaces, which has been implemented exactly along the specifications."
The public demonstration of the Opera and Tara Systems HbbTV solution will be at the IP&TV World Forum 2011, March 22 - 24 2011. The demo will be hosted at Opera Software's booth at position 47.
About TARA Systems
TARA Systems, based in Munich, Germany, is an independent, technology driven provider of flexible software components, tools and services for embedded consumer electronics devices, automotive and mobile devices. TARA focusses on DVB reception and recording, digital TV testing and graphical user interface development and is well-known for its modular, sustainable software architecture, its high software quality and its dedicated customer support.
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/.
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Opera's exciting new TV lineup at IP&TV World Forum
Oslo, Norway and London, UK - March 21, 2011
Grab the nearest couch! At the IP&TV World Forum this week, Opera Software will unveil a new version of its embeddable browser engine for TVs, so, in addition to watching your favorite shows, you can also browse the websites to your favorite shows and a host of rich associated web applications directly on your TV.
Following its recent announcements of numerous deals with Tier-1 connected TV and set-top box vendors, Opera will launch Opera Devices SDK 3.0 at the show and also demonstrate live customer solutions based on the product, as well as pure technology demos that visualize its capability.
What is on at prime time?
Opera for Devices SDK 3.0 will be loaded with features that include the following:
* A totally re-designed SVG rendering engine, boosting performance up to 10 times and making it possible for cable operators and set-top-box manufacturers to implement shiny new interfaces
* Improved HTML5 compliance and wider platform support for shorter time-to-market and lower cost to OEMs
* Enhanced compatibility and simpler integration to manufacturers looking for a HbbTV solution
* HTML5 video pre-integrated on some platforms
* Upgraded Content Developer Kit (CDK) to help bring your HTML 5 applications to Opera-powered TVs
Following this launch, an evaluation version of Opera for Devices SDK 3.0 will be available for download at www.opera.com/tv.
"A revolution is about to happen on TV as HTML5 apps take shape, with manufacturers and cable operators starting to implement TVs and set-top boxes with HTML5-capable browsers," said Frode Hernes, VP Products, TV and Connected Devices, Opera Software. "This is a big win for the Web and content developers, as we bring web standards to the TV platform. Opera is, once again, leading the revolution to bring HTML5 content to TVs by launching the more compliant Opera for Devices SDK 3.0, as well as related tools for OEMs and content developers."
HTML5 apps provide richer functionality, are eye-pleasing, cross platform and can take advantages of the many web developer tools which complement Opera's CDK. At Opera's booth, located at stand no. 47, you can also see the demo for powerful in-browser debugging of TV applications using the Opera for Devices CDK (Content Development Kit). The Opera for Devices CDK is a free tool targeting web developers and content providers to make their applications and content available on TVs.
The IP&TV World Forum will take place in London from March 22 to March 24, 2011. To schedule a meeting with a representative from Opera Software during the IP&TV World Forum, contact press11@opera.compress11@opera.com press11[at]opera.com.
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/.
