Opera for Android (beta) updated

March 18, 2013 · by Anna Rohleder

Last week we had a minor update to the new Opera browser for Android. And although it's still in beta for now, the latest fixes should make it feel smoother, more stable, and closer-to-final all the time. Here are some of the highlighted improvements:

Better translations!
Smaller initial installation file
Enhancements to Discover mode
Fast scrolling fixed
Right-click menu corrections

Have you tried out the latest version of Opera for Android?

Readers' comments 50

Left under the original article, as archived; 1 page of comments could not be recovered.

woj-tekTuesday, March 19, 2013 9:39:26 AM
yes we do - it still sucks and is virtually unusable, yay! :/
ouzowtfTuesday, March 19, 2013 9:44:40 AM
Seriously, I did not see any difference to the version before except that the fast scroll buttons are now bigger.
ClashCityRockerTuesday, March 19, 2013 9:45:03 AM
Good start, and I appreciate it's still beta, and still much better than Opera Mobile is most regards, it lacks in two crucial areas.

1/ text reflowing.
2/ Opera-Link

Sort these two things out, and it's a fine replacement for the current Opera Mobile, and shows all the nay-sayers that a Webkit powered Opera CAN be better than a Presto powered one,.
abdar1Tuesday, March 19, 2013 10:16:35 AM
I am blind but always i chart with my people
woj-tekTuesday, March 19, 2013 10:37:18 AM
Originally posted by clashcityrocker:

and still much better than Opera Mobile is most regards,

srsly? on what planet it's better? it doesn't even close to match, not to mention being better...
sirnh1Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:40:54 AM
Yes, and it's still the worst browser on android:

* Country defaults to me to "Netherlands", but I'm from the flemish part of Belgium.
* Browser installed itself in "Dutch", but I still can't change the language?
* No option like "don't use off-road while using wifi"
* No "Custom search providers" support
* "Opera link" is still completely worthless
* Interface still sucks (I prefer either the 'old' skin or the skin that the 'dolphin' browser has). If I liked how chrome looked, I would have been using chrome already. (Currently using 'dolphin' because it looks better and has a better tab management for me)
* No rss suppport
* 'discovery' feature is worthless (Can't add sites, can't prevend specific sites from being shown)
* How do I turn off the 'google suggestions'?
* Still no bookmarks? (the most basic thing for a browser)?
* Still no text reflow (biggest and most important opera feature on mobile)
* No close button (previous opera version had an optional close button)

* And now that I'm listing stuff: No extension support

Edit: tested my android 4.0.4
RobsonTuesday, March 19, 2013 12:15:48 PM
Continued slow interface, slow to open pages and consuming a lot of memory. Size installer still very large.
Much worse than the version with Presto. If you continue like this you will lose one of the flagships of the company.

Tested on LGP698.
Android 2.2
Google ChromeTuesday, March 19, 2013 3:02:55 PM
Comment marked as spam. Awaiting moderation.
PRTTuesday, March 19, 2013 4:05:19 PM
Please work on webkit and browser speed. surface is good and need to be more stable.
Grzegorz LasekTuesday, March 19, 2013 4:10:36 PM
i want mini update.
NimeshTuesday, March 19, 2013 5:57:50 PM
a little smoother than earlier update but still a long way to go as a complete mobile browser
Rafael LuikTuesday, March 19, 2013 7:52:15 PM
Closer to final?? You're kidding with us right???
If the final will be like that count me as an user waiting on Opera Mobile 12!
Ovi BasakWednesday, March 20, 2013 2:55:29 AM
Good start.
There should be a go to the top button.
JimWednesday, March 20, 2013 4:21:56 AM
Can you give us a direct download link?
Joshua PhelpsWednesday, March 20, 2013 5:18:32 AM
You can try this link to download Opera browser beta, Jim.
Yeni SetiawanWednesday, March 20, 2013 6:51:00 PM
Unlike the early version, this updated one works on my Galaxy Ace. I'll give it a try.
schemestromWednesday, March 20, 2013 9:20:20 PM
Originally posted by ouzoWTF:

Seriously, I did not see any difference to the version before except that the fast scroll buttons are now bigger.

It's already in the beta stage which means that you can't expect any new features for the final release.

Btw, I am greatly missing the menu option that allows me to open a selection as URL.
Mala SOmaThursday, March 21, 2013 2:35:16 AM
nice wark
Jeff TomasThursday, March 21, 2013 1:14:33 PM
Good work people!
themydavidThursday, March 21, 2013 2:03:56 PM
It doesn't works at all!

Huawei Sonic
Android 2.3.5
JimThursday, March 21, 2013 6:43:48 PM
Originally posted by JoshuaPhelps:

You can try http://www.eapktop.com/opera-browser-beta-14-0-1025-53005.html]this[/URL] link to download Opera browser beta, Jim.

Thanks :-)
EugeneThursday, March 21, 2013 11:39:02 PM
4.0.4 / XPERIA mini ST15i 1GHz single core. So it's too slow and I'm backing to mini and default browser (for JS-sensible websites), I guess.

But New Opera looks nice, nevertheless =3
xisisani chaukeFriday, March 22, 2013 6:10:41 AM
hi guys hw ar u?pls help a bro out,hw 2 download whatsapp in nokia x2-05 i,ll appreciate yo help.
Đỗ An (Opera'Classical)Friday, March 22, 2013 11:53:03 PM
Thank you Good start ,
arena-pembelajarSaturday, March 23, 2013 2:42:50 AM
thanks to opera beta..its so nice
R.R.DubrowskySaturday, March 23, 2013 5:42:03 AM
Very fast,good!
No.1 hi-speed 4 android,the best!
:-)
Tnks.
stephenpbarkerSaturday, March 23, 2013 10:47:11 AM
Why no download link to obtain the .apk file other than via Play. Not every Android device has play!
NAZIRU ALIYU UMARSaturday, March 23, 2013 12:07:24 PM
thank you so much friends
limuhobSunday, March 24, 2013 12:00:48 AM
good browser, but text-reflow and custom font size is "must" feature for me.
Haris@Obek bin parajahSunday, March 24, 2013 12:29:00 PM
welcome..
Bijan SinghSunday, March 24, 2013 12:56:33 PM
Yes, its pathetic. I have uninstalled it.
KhalilbnSunday, March 24, 2013 1:04:14 PM
The new browser improves a lot upon the old version although it needs more work to pass the beta stage.

One very interesting thing to note is the new speed dial with folders. I strongly believe this should also be implemented in opera for desktop!
woj-tekSunday, March 24, 2013 1:13:59 PM
Originally posted by Khalilbn:

The new browser improves a lot upon the old version

in which areas? it takes more resources (size on disk, ram), it's slower, it has less functionality (well, it basically doesn't have much functionality besides displaying webpage which is not that much given competition and older version) and the only plus side/improvements is supposesed better compatibility with 'the web' which can be freely translated to "google and facebook".. I didn't have any issues with previous version and the new one simply is a leapfrog backwards!
KhalilbnSunday, March 24, 2013 10:13:02 PM
I know it's not as efficient as the current version but it does have some interesting ideas like the new user interface, the discover page and the speed dial, and it now relies on Webkit. Of course, performance, stability and speed come first, but let's be patient and see how it turns out.
KhalilbnSunday, March 24, 2013 10:22:10 PM
Originally posted by sirnh1:

Yes, and it's still the worst browser on android:

* Country defaults to me to "Netherlands", but I'm from the flemish part of Belgium.
* Browser installed itself in "Dutch", but I still can't change the language?
* No option like "don't use off-road while using wifi"
* No "Custom search providers" support
* "Opera link" is still completely worthless
* Interface still sucks (I prefer either the 'old' skin or the skin that the 'dolphin' browser has). If I liked how chrome looked, I would have been using chrome already. (Currently using 'dolphin' because it looks better and has a better tab management for me)
* No rss suppport
* 'discovery' feature is worthless (Can't add sites, can't prevend specific sites from being shown)
* How do I turn off the 'google suggestions'?
* Still no bookmarks? (the most basic thing for a browser)?
* Still no text reflow (biggest and most important opera feature on mobile)
* No close button (previous opera version had an optional close button)

* And now that I'm listing stuff: No extension support

Edit: tested my android 4.0.4
I agree. All these things should be added. It doesn't make sense to make it worse than the current version (Opera "Vista"??). Anyway let's wait and see...
AvolaMonday, March 25, 2013 11:05:14 AM
I don't see any reason to use this over Opera Mobile yet. The only improvements I can think of are folders on Speed Dial and the Discover page, which I won't use.
The lack of back/forward buttons and the slow tab interface with awkward button positioning is a big negative for me.
Hadi NugrahaFriday, March 29, 2013 4:54:31 PM
My site is not rendered correctly on opera. But I like much the skin, and the features. I hope it will be fixed on the next update.
Leo james hanadSunday, March 31, 2013 3:11:54 AM
Who can help me to create Facebook page
stephenpbarkerTuesday, April 2, 2013 4:31:09 PM
Have now tried the Beta, not as good as what we already have. Plus, identifies itself as Google Chrome/Apple Safari. If it is seen as Chrome/Safari, Opera will drift out of consciousness, because it is not offering/doing anything different.

http://stevesstats.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/usa-google-alterntive-and-support-google.html
ouzowtfTuesday, April 2, 2013 7:21:20 PM
The new beta update from today closes itself after I try to start it. The last thing it did was "optimizing update". When I tried to put the app back on the telephone space (why is it automatically installed on sdcard?) my smartphone rebooted. After that the app was installed on the telephone space, but its still closing itself on opening :/
sirnh1Tuesday, April 2, 2013 8:56:05 PM
1) thanks for trying to get us our text-wrapping back.

2) After the last update (that including text-wrapping). It (slowly) loaded a page (randomly chosen from tweakers.net ). After zooming in a bit, (and waiting 2 or 3 seconds) my screen started flashing black and white a couple of times and ended up with a full white page, no scrollbars, but just the address bar and the tab switch button visible.
Switching to another tab and then switching back fixed the problem...

Another random page (also on tweakers.net) loaded fine, zoomed in and after 2 or 3 seconds the screen started to flash black and white again and after a couple of times ended up with the text on the page visible, but the text was blurry for a few seconds.
After zooming out, it took litery 4 seconds before the text was rerwrapped.

From my experience "Text wrapping" still needs some serious work, but it's a step into the right direction
(Also the current opera mobile has instant text wrapping and without the screen going crazy.)

3) I usually end up not having a clue, on whether the page is still loading or if I didn't click the link correctly. Maybe update that "loading" indicator to be actually visible?

Edit: my phone is a 'HTC Desire S' with android 4.0.4 (and is not rooted). Also: any idea on when it will have opera link back?
Salman KhanThursday, April 4, 2013 3:48:20 AM
it's great and better than before.The only thing I want opera to do is to release there major Opera. desktop version and opera for android stable version soon.Can't wait to see opera 13 (WebKit based)
Andy PThursday, April 4, 2013 3:00:01 PM
I really like the new Opera Beta for Android. I think discover is great and since it displays a lot more stories on screen than Flipbook or Currents, I've started using it as my main general news aggregator. Some suggestions though:
+ Add option to search for stories from more than one country
+ Option to go straight to story from the thumbnails page - also, the ability to open them in background tabs would be nice.

The browser itself seems fine. I find it about the same as Chrome. However, I have a few problems with it:
+ page previews are not loaded in tabs until I have clicked on the tab once. There is literally nothing but a white box. Please fix this.
+ Double tap zooming into a page element doesn't always work as expected. Try to improve zooming into a column of text as it sometimes zooms too far, or includes a side menu that I don't want to see.

Aside from that, link and bookmarks need improving, as it's currently handled via a web interface, which feels slow and clunky.
mbodo kingSunday, April 7, 2013 1:50:25 PM
like
wahyu3sFriday, April 12, 2013 3:35:02 AM
why text wrap not working with onroad mode?
David KinlayThursday, April 18, 2013 6:55:03 AM
Can't use the beta as it grabs too much ram memory, unfortunately!
Nick SmithThursday, April 18, 2013 8:04:09 AM
Comment marked as spam. Awaiting moderation.
Trubo LoThursday, April 18, 2013 4:52:22 PM
Seriously what Opera beta misses:
Note: "OM" means Opera Mobile has this nicely implemented...

1. Flash Plugins support (OM)
2. Opera Link (OM)
3. HTML5 (OM, just tested in YouTube HTML5 test page, OM meets most requirements to play HTML5 videos but not Opera beta?!)

4. I hate the "discover" section
5. Access to Advance settings (OM)

More to come...
AaditeaThursday, April 18, 2013 5:12:04 PM
thank's
Shahmi SaidiTuesday, April 23, 2013 7:25:52 AM
i hate seeing opera going down the drain :'( make me come back to you, opera. follow users opinion. their opinion is valuable for your very own future.

i have seen some comments.

i do think old advanced things that used to be in stable opera mobile's setting menu should be implemented in this new cooler version too. most people may ignore those settings but how about your long-time-users? personally i love the exit button. it saves my time. and i can assure to myself that opera process has been closed. without such button, this will leave me checking the task manager every time i finished my browsing session.

and a function that i always hope to have since Opera Mini 3. opera should consider putting customization option into this new opera mobile. give users freedom to customize the look of opera. give users to make opera like home. i dont like plain colours. and i am pretty sure someone out there hates it too. give such freedom. or at least provide small colour scheme if opera can't make themes for opera mobile.

i love opera. stop ignoring user's opinions. honestly i miss Opera Unite. hmm