Opera For Pocket PC To Be Bundled With Sharp Unit (That Is, It's Coming)

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2005/11/30/' target='_blank'>http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2005/11/30/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Opera Software and Willcom INC today announced that the Opera Mobile™ browser will be offered on the new Sharp W-ZERO3 Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 handset in Japan. The Sharp W-ZERO3 is the first Windows Mobile 5.0 device in the Japanese market, and also the first device to ship with Opera Mobile 8.5 for Pocket PC."</i><br /><br />Darius has <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43818">posted on</a> the W-ZERO3 in the past - a cool Japanese Pocket PC Phone with VGA. While the W-ZERO3 is definitely cool (and you <b>must</b> check out this <a href="http://www.sharp.co.jp/ws/special/">super-slick Flash animation</a>), it's unlikely it'll be available outside of Japan. One'd assume, though, that if Opera is contractually obliged to provide a browser to them that they'll also release one for the rest of the community in a similar timeframe. Let's hope that timeframe is sooner than later, because the Pocket PC platform could use a top-notch browser like Opera.

[ADBrown]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe NTT DoCoMo is a unique network, not compatible with anything used in NorthAm or Europe. So that would make it rather certain that the ZERO3 isn't coming over here, at least not in its present condition.

On the bright side, anything that brings about mobile Opera is a very, very, very good thing. If I had the money, I'd fly to Japan, buy one of these, and take it home just to try and peel Opera out of it.

[Janak Parekh]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe NTT DoCoMo is a unique network, not compatible with anything used in NorthAm or Europe. So that would make it rather certain that the ZERO3 isn't coming over here, at least not in its present condition.
Well, NTT does use wCDMA, but a customized version. You're right, I should have worded the post differently; I'll tweak it.

--janak

[yslee]

OMG, the 3D rendering is amazing. *jaw drops* They really know how to do their marketing...

[palmsolo]

Opera also stated in the press release that a version of Opera for the Pocket PC is going to be available to the general public in January 2006.

[Janak Parekh]

Opera also stated in the press release that a version of Opera for the Pocket PC is going to be available to the general public in January 2006.
Where? I'm suddenly afraid I can't read. 8O

--janak

[palmsolo]

Sorry, I guess it was only in the press release version I received in my email from Opera.

Here is the quote that was in the document I received, "General note: The public version of Opera 8.5 for Windows Mobile Pocket PC will be available from www.opera.com in January 2006."

[isilver]

I have been wating for this released for months now. I am so happy that Opera will be released on Pocket PC. I also hope it is more stable then Internet Explorer is, I can't take the crashes anymore.

[Phillip Dyson]

I have been wating for this released for months now. I am so happy that Opera will be released on Pocket PC. I also hope it is more stable then Internet Explorer is, I can't take the crashes anymore.

I can't say that I've ever had PIE crash on me. It renders much slower than Netfront for sure. But it seems to render some what better.

I've never got used to the idea of paying for a browser (though I did buy Netfront), most because I don't have to on windows.

[Darius Wey]

I have been wating for this released for months now. I am so happy that Opera will be released on Pocket PC. I also hope it is more stable then Internet Explorer is, I can't take the crashes anymore.

If it's as good on the Pocket PC as it is on the Smartphone, then I'd say we're in for a real treat. :)

[OSUKid7]

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/12845/operamobile-small.png (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/12845/operamobile.png)
Click for VGA screenshot.
It's here. :) See more info on the XDA-developers.com forum. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=195706)