Opera Mini 5 beta on Android: Why?

March 12, 2010 · by Espen André Øverdahl

In a recent blog post by ZDNet, they wonder: "[...] what incentives users might have to choose Opera Mini over the native Android browser (or over Safari on the iPhone, for that matter)."

What do you think? Let them know if you think Opera Mini 5 Beta for Android is a worthwhile upgrade and post your comment on the matter!

Readers' comments 26

Left under the original article, as archived.

Matt CoxFriday, March 12, 2010 10:34:58 AM
Why is Opera Mini 5 beta listed in the Marketplace as a seperate app to the previous version available - I missed the automatic update.
TamilFriday, March 12, 2010 10:52:39 AM
what incentives users might have to choose Opera Mini
Sami SerolaFriday, March 12, 2010 10:57:05 AM
Hmm... Fit the text to screen width on Opera Mini 5 beta 2 (Java version) does not work on this page
MyOpera team, please fix this!Friday, March 12, 2010 11:55:47 AM
The problem with Opera Mini (last time I checked) is it doesn't integrate with the OS. You previously could net set it as your default browser so that limited it's usage quite a bit.

@EspenAO: I'd be interested in a post about why Opera Mobile is currently only available for OEMs and not in the Android market.
PlazzmexFriday, March 12, 2010 12:30:07 PM
Is opera mini for android programed on j2me or native android api ?
seaemptyFriday, March 12, 2010 12:46:59 PM
Originally posted by fearphage:

The problem with Opera Mini (last time I checked) is it doesn't integrate with the OS. You previously could net set it as your default browser so that limited it's usage quite a bit.

I agree wholeheartedly with this. Whilst 5 is a vast, vast improvement on 4, I still have to use two browsers because I can't set Opera Mini as the default.
prd3Friday, March 12, 2010 1:52:31 PM
Originally posted by fearphage:

I'd be interested in a post about why Opera Mobile is currently only available for OEMs and not in the Android market.

Because native apps will be in big trouble because the environment keeps changing. Google will need to promise makers of native apps that the environment will be stable before anyone can do anything.
MyOpera team, please fix this!Friday, March 12, 2010 4:36:02 PM
Originally posted by prd3:

Because native apps will be in big trouble because the environment keeps changing.
Sorry that I didn't clarify. I wanted a statement from the staff not arbitrary user opinions.
Cutting SpoonFriday, March 12, 2010 9:28:19 PM
That's the opinion of most manufacturers. Only a few phones will allow you to change the default browser.
Espen André ØverdahlFriday, March 12, 2010 11:50:20 PM
Originally posted by fearphage:

@EspenAO: I'd be interested in a post about why Opera Mobile is currently only available for OEMs and not in the Android market.
I'll investigate that matter.
Jonathan SeymourSaturday, March 13, 2010 5:05:34 AM
I love it! But I think that the black bar at the bottom of my Motorola Droid (Android OS) needs to go away and be accessed via the menu button on the phone. Other than that...I love it! IT'S SOOO FAST!!
Charles SchlossSaturday, March 13, 2010 3:24:48 PM
KamaleshSaturday, March 13, 2010 6:26:56 PM
I can't tell if it's an Opera Mini or Android bug to not be able to set Opera as default browser...
http://www.androidforums.com/support/6870-there-way-make-opera-default-browser.html
lisaspeterSaturday, March 13, 2010 6:54:20 PM
I love it. they should make a app for opera mini.
Charles SchlossSunday, March 14, 2010 4:50:34 AM
zardzelSunday, March 14, 2010 8:56:34 AM
We WANT Opera 10 Mobile for Android ! NOW
mrLobsterSunday, March 14, 2010 11:10:06 PM
We wanted it last year.....oh, the dread of unpacking a HTC Tattoo,
moving fingers in some orderly fashion, locate market, search "opera"....

I thought the Opera Dev team could put a browser in/on/about/above anything.....well, well. Concentrate on 10.50 now....
MyOpera team, please fix this!Monday, March 15, 2010 12:20:10 PM
Originally posted by Kamalesh:

I can't tell if it's an Opera Mini or Android bug to not be able to set Opera as default browser
It's Opera mini. To my knowledge, it needs register itself as a browser replacement/alternative.

Quick download from your android phone:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2400/qr/android%20-%20Opera%20Mini%205%20beta.png -
MeanEYEMonday, March 15, 2010 1:03:34 PM
Originally posted by zardzel:

We WANT Opera 10 Mobile for Android ! NOW

Same here. But beta is out... problem is, we can't install it on our own :/. You need to ask company that made your phone to integrate Opera. I already asked HTC and they said Opera didn't contact them nor has Google said anything about that.

So, I ask, what is the point of making Opera Mobile for Android if only handful of people can make it work + it requires rooting your phone.
prd3Monday, March 15, 2010 1:06:11 PM
Originally posted by fearphage:

Sorry that I didn't clarify. I wanted a statement from the staff not arbitrary user opinions.

What I told you is what the staff has said when making statements on Opera Mobile for Android. Straight from numerous interviews.
MyOpera team, please fix this!Monday, March 15, 2010 2:32:19 PM
Originally posted by prd3:

What I told you is what the staff has said when making statements on Opera Mobile for Android. Straight from numerous interviews.
This statement is an exceptional example of a good time to use a link to back up your statement. Link please.
B.S.KushwahTuesday, March 16, 2010 7:02:15 AM
Opera Support Teem.
I am using Opera Mini 5 beta with my Nokia n95 8gb..
I am facing serious problem like-
1 my.opera.com/community/Tell your friends what you are doing: After typing messages when post is pressed does not accepts, then after revers page when Post is pressed it accepts distorted words.
2-
When in box replying any message blank messages are send,some time message is lost without sending.
3-
When i tried write in forum regarding this to my surprise msg was lost without publishing.
this is very sad experience with Opera mini 5 beta.
then I have to remove and download and reinstalled.
But found no improvement.
All this I am writing from mu desk top computer.
As a user kindly solve this urgent issue.
Also request if you can add auto spelling check this will be more user friendly.
Best Regards.
mrLobsterSaturday, April 10, 2010 1:43:02 AM
Opera Mini 5 beta comments on Nokia N95: Why?

(pun if look at title of page...bad pun...can puns be bad?)
visualplastikMonday, April 26, 2010 4:40:15 PM
@Jonathan Seymour Thats already a feature.

It needs a lot of improvements but it looks promising.
-Pinch Zoom, two finger and single (ie. xscope browser)
-More scrolling speed.
-Much better adherence to CSS layouts. Most pages look garbled.
prd3Tuesday, May 4, 2010 8:21:56 AM
Originally posted by visualplastik:

Much better adherence to CSS layouts. Most pages look garbled.

Nonsense.
Cutting SpoonTuesday, May 4, 2010 4:43:11 PM
I think he's crabby about the feature which makes article columns fit the screen. It can look strange when zoomed out.

Plastik: On some web sites, Mobile View works a little better. On others, and with some phones, you may want to turn off text-wrapping in "opera:config" in your Mini installation.