Let's Compare Notes

April 25, 2011 · by .ed

I was surprised to find that when I stumbled across Opera Mini well over 5 years ago, I started using it quite early to launch. My [then Sony Ericsson] handset and life changed overnight. I watched the software features evolve over the years; mobile phones got cooler and Opera Mini kept pace, always beating the browser that shipped with my phones.

I placed a poll here on the Opera News Blog asking when you started using Opera Mini. The fun part is I posted the same poll on Opera Mini's Facebook page to see how the two groups' answers compare. Throw an answer in one (or both polls) and in a few days we'll compare the findings.

What's your story?

It's fun to reminisce about all of the times Opera Mini came in handy; my love of that little data-saver is a big part of why I work here now. I remember the look on the AT&T clerk's face when I explained the reason I was lowering my old data plan was because I was browsing more often - I had to explain it several times.

After you answer the poll, share an Opera Mini story in the comments (or if you blog it, share the link). I doubt I'm the oldest user here, and I'm sure someone has a great story no matter when they discovered it. Ever win a bet by checking a Wikipedia article in your pocket? Pass time between classes online (or during class )? Check reviews? Follow an epic game's score from out of the house? Share a story while the polls fill up.

Readers' comments 21

Left under the original article, as archived.

TamilTuesday, April 26, 2011 12:30:37 AM
http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Yes.gif -
slackwrdaveTuesday, April 26, 2011 12:38:08 AM
The last two handsets I've acquired, I told the sales reps in the Sprint store that a main requirement was that the handset had to run Opera Mini. I was pleased that they were well aware of Opera Mini and were able to give correct answers about compatibility. I, of course, had done web searches beforehand to make sure I was getting something that would run Opera Mini.

This is less of an issue now as Opera Mini will run on about anything that has a battery in it.
.edTuesday, April 26, 2011 12:41:03 AM
Originally posted by slackwrdave:

Opera Mini will run on about anything that has a battery in it.

lolololo!
Cutting SpoonTuesday, April 26, 2011 1:12:07 AM
Those contracts announced with carriers in the US have also improved things somewhat. T-Mobile's Sidekick still ships with a stock Android browser, great way to punish themselves for offering unlimited internet with it.
Thu WinTuesday, April 26, 2011 1:54:54 AM
Regarding to the post above, I'm pretty sure Opera Mini wouldn't run on a clock although it has a battery on it.

I once used OperaMini to search for hotels when my dad and I was stranded at Plymouth due to us missing the last train.
CarolTuesday, April 26, 2011 1:56:05 AM
Started on Opera mini in 2007, I think version 3.0 was just released. At the time I bought a new unlocked Nokia N95 8gb,. I thought I was all that and a bag of chips. I found mini by doing a Google search, as I was looking for a mobile browser that would access my groupwise email account for school. Now I have an lg ally with froyo on the Verizon network. Opera mini rocks, but I do use Skyfire for flash.
Dark FurieTuesday, April 26, 2011 2:53:59 AM
I'm an early user too, eventually coming here a couple of years later after blogging finished its cool stage.
Sn3ipenTuesday, April 26, 2011 3:44:52 AM
I used to work on a boat and I used Opera Mobile on my Symbian phone, to keep in touch with friends and family. I remember we didn't have 3G so things where really slow back then. This was before Opera Mini was launched and a long time before Facebook got around, so we used a Norwegian social network called Blink.

When Opera Mini launched things got allot faster and it was a real pleasure to read news and stuff on it. Finally i could get rid of that bulky Nokia phone and still get access to The WWW
Charles SchlossTuesday, April 26, 2011 4:16:28 AM
AT&T clerk's face when I explained the reason I was lowering my old data plan was because I was browsing more often - I had to explain it several times.

Did this on 1 bar of edge network in a brick building and it loaded in about 9 seconds
http://files.myopera.com/Chas4/albums/551911/thumbs/IMG_0220.PNG_thumb.jpg -
Enoch 'Robot Boy' Appiah JuniorTuesday, April 26, 2011 7:15:42 AM
With my story, I guess Opera Mini was sent to me from up above. I had the chance to use Opera Mini when I completed High School in late 2006. When mobile internet was developing over here. I was helping a friend out in filling a form.

The sleek movement, and beautiful interface made me research into it further. I found the other benefits, apart from the gr8 GUI like Data compression Tech..and others And I have fallen in love with Opera Mini ever since.
Samed AyanTuesday, April 26, 2011 7:40:53 AM
Lars KleinschmidtTuesday, April 26, 2011 10:49:32 AM
I already used it when it wasn't even named Opera Mini yet. No idea what year that was, but I guess it's 5+ years ;-)
huxrTuesday, April 26, 2011 11:18:53 AM
I'm also a "veteran".

Been a user from ~November 2005 - before public announcement (Jan 2006)!

Beforehand, I used WAP for a year. Now that was very hard to use, slow, and expensive! 10 MiB GPRS (3-4 KiB/s) cost me €23 per month then!!

With Opera Mini, I browsed full websites on 1 MiB GPRS (€9/mo).

History is not always great. Viva la Opera Revolución!
huxrTuesday, April 26, 2011 11:32:50 AM
Originally posted by vysakhtb:

my opera story was started from june 2 2005, in my nokia 7610. my first version is opera mini 2.0 ....
It must have been in June 2006 though. Opera Mini 2 was released in May 2006.
I used Opera Mini 1 as soon as it was available in Europe, in 2005!
twilight0Tuesday, April 26, 2011 11:42:22 AM
I had also started using Opera Mini around 4 to 5 years ago. At first I had free WAP from my provider with hours and hours of browsing at work with my phone. I could check everything including e-mail off course with the slow GPRS connection of mine. I then learned using RSS feeds, my browsing experience was enhanced! Then came the Opera Link, which is I think the best feature Opera has to offer, although it still has way to go. I am using Opera in my smartphone, my tablet PC and my Linux laptop!
UtkarshTuesday, April 26, 2011 2:14:06 PM
Recently my friend asked on what platforms do we have Opera Mini and this was my reply-

'Almost everything; in fact if they can, Opera software will make Opera for toasters as well.'

....Now where's Opera for a Potato Gun?
Charles SchlossTuesday, April 26, 2011 3:05:17 PM
Originally posted by Utkarsh1:

Potato Gun

Potato gets compressed for faster sending...
David KinlayTuesday, April 26, 2011 6:46:40 PM
Using Opera for years. I think abt 1997. Always found that Opera people rise to the challenge of the market and try to meet it head on. Will always be appreciative
Soulflare3Tuesday, May 3, 2011 1:19:31 AM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

Regarding to the post above, I'm pretty sure Opera Mini wouldn't run on a clock although it has a battery on it.

See, now just because you said that, someone, somewhere will design a clock that can run Opera Mini on it
Cutting SpoonTuesday, May 3, 2011 4:46:22 AM
What about that Sony picture frame? Does that qualify?
James YohannaTuesday, May 10, 2011 8:54:55 AM
I don't have mobile but when I compare opera browser, it is way to fast, too beautiful and friendlier than: Internet, Google, Yahoo, Lanscape(Luna), etc.