Opera Mini Web page layouts on iProducts

April 13, 2010 · by Espen André Øverdahl

If you are new to Opera Mini, you may be wondering why some Web pages look strangely off, such as this prime example:

This has to do with Opera Mini's current 2-step zoom (either zoomed out or zoomed in, no in-between steps). To make sure text columns are fit in the zoomed-in display, Opera Mini (and Opera Mobile) force columns to not be wider than the physical width of the device (in the case of the iPhone, 320 pixels). This feature can be disabled, but you'll have to modify the power-user settings (browse to "opera:config" or just "config:"):

Via @patrick_h_lauke.

Readers' comments 19

Left under the original article, as archived.

TamilTuesday, April 13, 2010 9:19:33 AM
HyaeneLeipzigTuesday, April 13, 2010 9:28:54 AM
victorTuesday, April 13, 2010 9:31:48 AM
bad choice to enable this option by default! Unfamiliar users will consider this as a bug
Aleksander AasTuesday, April 13, 2010 9:35:25 AM
Originally posted by decimal:

bad choice to enable this option by default! Unfamiliar users will consider this as a bug

In fact this is the default behavior of Opera Mini on all devices. "config:" is available in all Opera Mini versions afaik. On most devices setting this to Yes (or not touching it as it's the default) will improve the browsing experience. However on the iPhone and some high-end Android phones with a high resolution you might want to change it.
Chris WardTuesday, April 13, 2010 9:36:29 AM
I like the word "current". This offers promise :-)
julbenTuesday, April 13, 2010 10:00:02 AM
I cannot stand this 2-step zoom, but nevertheless, Opera is much faster then Safari. Great work!
PhaniTuesday, April 13, 2010 10:04:50 AM
Opera Mini doesn't work for me on my 1st Gen Ipod Touch on Wifi. I think this is because i'm behind a proxy. Is this a known issue or is it only a strange issue i'm having?
OttoTuesday, April 13, 2010 11:22:49 AM
The 2-step zoom in Opera Mini works for me, as I prefer to view the whole page before I decide which part to zoom in (more productive imho). On Safari you don't see the whole page and it's actually very annoying that you have to zoom out or move right or down to view other parts of the site.

Although it would perhaps be worth adding the option under settings for easier access, rather than having to go via the "config:" method?
Charles SchlossTuesday, April 13, 2010 12:40:28 PM
AndreasTuesday, April 13, 2010 12:43:00 PM
This is good info, i've seen a lot of complaints about this "bug".
anglerTuesday, April 13, 2010 2:59:56 PM
I don't have any Apple products but I saw some complains about this. Glad to see it cleared up!
d4rkn1ghtTuesday, April 13, 2010 6:54:48 PM
Paul GeorgeTuesday, April 13, 2010 8:29:47 PM
Just turned it off and then back on again, once you know it is there and there for a reason it makes perfect sense.

I was having issues with load times and sometimes the page wouldn't load at all, I would just get the spinner in the top left hand corner. I noticed that in my advanced settings I had the "Protocol" set as Socket rather than HTTP straight from vanilla install, is this normal and supposed to be on as default?

Changing it to HTTP has worked and I am not having issues with page loads anymore.
digitalinksmudgeTuesday, April 13, 2010 10:07:56 PM
Thanks for the tip.

Originally posted by Paul George:

I was having issues with load times and sometimes the page wouldn't load at all, I would just get the spinner in the top left hand corner. I noticed that in my advanced settings I had the "Protocol" set as Socket rather than HTTP straight from vanilla install, is this normal and supposed to be on as default?

Changing it to HTTP has worked and I am not having issues with page loads anymore.

What are the differences in the Protocol Settings: "Socket" & "HTTP"?
Is either better for 2G, 3G, WiFI settings?
Is one faster, or more stable?

** Opera Link does not sync bookmarks for me. **
Ive not found an Opera Mini iPhone FAQ yet...

Cheers!
Viktor ShaldybinWednesday, April 14, 2010 9:22:30 AM
Viktor ShaldybinWednesday, April 14, 2010 10:43:35 AM
timWednesday, April 14, 2010 10:11:45 PM
Im curious bout http n socket settings toooo....???. Which is better in which situation..???
Rafael LuikFriday, April 16, 2010 6:57:38 PM
Originally posted by digitalinksmudge:

What are the differences in the Protocol Settings: "Socket" & "HTTP"?

Is either better for 2G, 3G, WiFI settings?

Is one faster, or more stable?

Originally posted by bigtimmy78:

Im curious bout http n socket settings toooo....???. Which is better in which situation..???

Here's the info you want:
http://www.opera.com/mobile/help/faq/?list#http-socket
If anyone acuse me of being heartless it because u have it.Friday, June 18, 2010 6:15:02 AM
hey guys can i ask some ? how can i create an layout for my opera mini pages pls help .thanks