Opera Software announced during the 3GSM World Congress its plans to upgrade mobile Web browsing by developing Opera 9 for mobile phones in all major platforms. Opera 9 has enriched Web use on the PC with new technologies, and now the leading browser innovator will deliver the same groundbreaking functionality to mobile phones. The upcoming Opera Mobile edition includes the latest in PC browsing features such as Widgets and Intelligent Zoom.

Opera 9 on mobile phones will add completely new dimensions to navigation. Users can seamlessly alternate between viewing modes to get a birds-eye perspective or dive into the content they want. Users have the choice to see an overview of a Web page or adapting the page to the width of the screen. As first seen with the Opera browser for Wii, Intelligent Zoom allows users to then zoom in directly to a selected area.

Widgets will also debut on mobile phones with the upcoming release of Opera Mobile. These small Web applications running outside of the browser allow users, manufacturers and operators to create and personalize services derived from Web content such as weather and traffic information, news and e-mail. Widgets offer Web applications that are instantly accessible on the phone without having to launch the Web browser, presenting dynamic and engaging content directly to users.

"We are impressed with the constantly evolving experience of browsing the Web," says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. "Bringing Opera 9 to mobile phones will present new capabilities in mobile Web services that will be exciting to see defined."

Opera's JavaScript and rendering engines are built for speed while enabling dynamic AJAX-based applications. Driving standards compliance, Opera Mobile has full DOM support and can smoothly run advanced Web applications on mobile phones.

Opera Mobile Features to include

• Intelligent Zoom: Zoom in directly to a selected area and continue scrolling for a closer view
• Grab and scroll: Touch and direct the page up or down on touch-screen devices
• Multiple Windows/Tabbed browsing: Use multiple windows for multi-task browsing
• Opera Widgets: Small Web applications that users can easily access without having to open the Web browser
• Web-address input auto-completion: Reduce input time with an index of address completions
• Password manager: The password manager remembers your usernames and passwords so you don't have to
• Download manager: View download progress and access all your downloads from one simple transfer manager window
• Pop-up blocker: Control whether to block all pop-ups, or open only the ones that you have requested
• Bookmarks and History: Keep quick access to your favorites and get back to your last viewed sites
• Send links: Send links as E-Mail or as SMS and MMS messages directly from the browser

A release date wasn't announced yet.

Cheers ~ Arne

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