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View Full Version : Opera Mini Goes Native on Windows Mobile


Darius Wey
03-08-2010, 07:30 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.opera.com/mini/next/' target='_blank'>http://www.opera.com/mini/next/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Opera Software today launched a native version of Opera Mini 5 beta for Windows Mobile 5- and 6-based handsets. By integrating Opera Mini with the Windows Mobile platform, Opera is able to deliver an optimized version of the popular Opera Mini browser that dramatically improves performance and the overall user experience. While Opera Mini traditionally requires Java, the new Windows Mobile version does not, which means that Opera Mini will work on any Windows Mobile phone. The Opera Mini 5 beta for Windows Mobile includes the same rich feature set as the Java-based version. Renowned features, including tabbed browsing, the password manager, bookmarks and Speed Dial, are built-in to deliver convenience while on-the-go."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1268029284.usr2.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>If you've found Opera Mobile to be too much for your needs and prefer something a little more lightweight such as Opera Mini, then you'll be happy to know that the latest beta is now native on Windows Mobile. That's right, there's no longer any need for a JVM. It's free, so head over to the <a href="http://www.opera.com/mini/next/" target="_blank">Opera web site</a>, download it, and give it a whirl.</p>

david.karr
03-10-2010, 06:04 PM
Does anyone know what the difference is between "Opera Mobile 10 Beta" and this "new" version? I have that version installed on an HTC Touch Pro.

When I go to the download page for this, I see the following links:

* Opera Mini 5 beta for Windows Mobile
* Opera Mobile 10 beta 3 for Windows Mobile, touch phone
* Opera Mobile 10 beta 3 for Windows Mobile, keypad

So, in addition to the confusion about versions, there appear to be different downloads for the latest Mobile 10 version, one for a "touch phone" and one for a "keypad". The Touch Pro has a keypad and is a touch phone.

Can anyone explain this?

Chris Sacksteder
03-14-2010, 09:02 PM
Mini Beta 5 "native code" means it should/might start faster, run faster and use less memory than the Mobile version which is apparently written in Java. On my HTC Touch Pro the Mini took 3290kb of memory when started, and seemed to start faster than Opera Mobile 10 which a task manager showed using 708kb and Opera Mobile 9 that came with the phone used 109kb, but it doesn't show the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) and I can't seem to find that process.

Another way to look at memory: from the today screen, the window list with no apps open says 64%; starting Opera 10 Mobile it goes to 73% used; kill that and we're back to 64%; start Opera 5 and memory is at 67%, so it does use a lot less memory, 6% of the 133MB total program memory.

For a touch-screen phone, always get the app version that is for a "touch phone", even it has a keyboard. Ones labeled non-touch or keypad are for phones without a touch screen.

Mini 5 seems to have the same features at Mobile 10. Has anyone else seen differences?

david.karr
03-19-2010, 02:57 PM
Actually, I believe you have part of this reversed. I thought it was a little odd that you were saying that Opera Mobile 10 is a Java application, as that's what I have, and my phone is a Windows Mobile phone. Today I saw the note on the HTC site (http://www.htcphones.net/opera-mobile-10-and-opera-mini-5-final-versions-introduced/) that introduces the first non-beta versions of both lines, and it states that Mobile 10 is a native app, and Mini 5 is a J2ME app.