Opera Mobile for Android coming soon

October 14, 2010 · by Aleksander Aas

We are happy to confirm that Opera will release a beta version of Opera Mobile for Android phones within the next month. This was announced today at Up North Web. So far we are confirming at least one of the new features in Opera Mobile for Android will be the long awaited pinch to zoom support.

Opera also announced at Up North Web that Opera Mini for iPhone will receive an updated version this year featuring both pinch to zoom and hardware acceleration.

This is without a doubt the next generation of mobile browsing.

What is pinch to zoom?

The current versions of Opera Mobile and Opera Mini have two levels of zoom. One for the full page width and one for zooming in to read the text. With the introduction of pinch to zoom you are in full control of the zoom level. Text redraws almost instantly at all zoom levels, so text will always look sharp and easy to read. All this without compromising the speed or data compression in Opera Mini and Opera Mobile!

What is hardware acceleration?

Hardware acceleration allows Opera to run at lightning speed. Navigating a page, panning and zooming will be faster than ever. All this is made possible by taking full advantage of the GPU power available on your phone. Hardware acceleration allows us to do amazing things like pinch to zoom for all sites. It also allows a more fluid interaction between you and your phone, improving your browsing experience!

When will it be available?

Stay tuned for more information about the updated iPhone version of Opera Mini with pinch to zoom and hardware acceleration.

The first public beta version of Opera Mobile for Android featuring pinch to zoom will be available from m.opera.com and Android Market within a month!

This post has been updated to add Opera Mini news and a few clarifications.

Readers' comments 84

Left under the original article, as archived.

Martin EberhardtThursday, October 14, 2010 7:46:28 AM
Awesome! I can't wait to try it.
MorphdreamerThursday, October 14, 2010 7:48:02 AM
Awesome news
TamilThursday, October 14, 2010 7:49:31 AM
IKokeThursday, October 14, 2010 7:50:04 AM
gopo2004Thursday, October 14, 2010 7:50:08 AM
FINALY!
Sami SerolaThursday, October 14, 2010 7:54:11 AM
Now this will put my plans of buying a new phone into whole new perspective Maybe I get Android phone after all
NicoThursday, October 14, 2010 7:54:35 AM
This is so awesome, I can't wait for it!

Just to be clear: When it comes out in a month, will it be a Beta or already the final product?
FavThursday, October 14, 2010 8:00:19 AM
Awesome, any updates for Windows Mobile 6.5 version as well?
Gavin TThursday, October 14, 2010 8:00:41 AM
Yay!!

this is great news, its the one thing I've been missing since I moved from Windows Mobile to Android.
Daniel SöderströmThursday, October 14, 2010 8:01:14 AM
Best news in a very long time!
Kyle BakerThursday, October 14, 2010 8:01:57 AM
TA5KThursday, October 14, 2010 8:14:31 AM
Nice
Multitouch zoom available?
AbhinavThursday, October 14, 2010 8:18:07 AM
dude09Thursday, October 14, 2010 8:22:41 AM
Please beware of Apple's pinch-to-zoom patent:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/apple-awarded-limited-patent-on-pinch-to-zoom/
SwapnilThursday, October 14, 2010 8:45:19 AM
Finally !!
ClashCityRockerThursday, October 14, 2010 8:49:52 AM
Excellent. The best mobile OS just got the best browser. Marriage made in heaven,
RastislavThursday, October 14, 2010 8:52:12 AM
amazing news, this and Opera 11 extensions, what will be next?
AleksandrasThursday, October 14, 2010 9:06:15 AM
What about flash support?
Artur „Jurgi” JurgawkaThursday, October 14, 2010 9:19:07 AM
I do not use Android at the moment, but in the future… It's good to know, that there will be Opera, like everywhere.
dualboreThursday, October 14, 2010 9:28:00 AM
great news!
Aleksander AasThursday, October 14, 2010 9:33:12 AM
Originally posted by HellbillyDeluxe:

Just to be clear: When it comes out in a month, will it be a Beta or already the final product?

I'm not 100% sure, I think it's a beta, but I'll check again!
Originally posted by callia:

What about flash support?

Nothing yet I believe.
Originally posted by dude09:

Please beware of Apple's pinch-to-zoom patent:

This patent has already been lost. HTC Desire and many other phones also have pinch to zoom now.
Spadar ShutThursday, October 14, 2010 10:21:25 AM
I knew this should happen soon! I just did't know *this* soon!!!
ouzowtfThursday, October 14, 2010 10:27:24 AM
Am I awake or am I still dreaming?
kloonThursday, October 14, 2010 10:42:16 AM
Please include proxy support so i can replace that crappy Fennec/Firefox browser.
Sandmonkey 92Thursday, October 14, 2010 10:49:39 AM
wasn't Opera mobile on Android already? I've got it on my phone...
AuxThursday, October 14, 2010 10:50:04 AM
CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT!
techlawsamThursday, October 14, 2010 10:53:43 AM
yes!!!!!!
seaemptyThursday, October 14, 2010 11:02:53 AM
Originally posted by sandmonkey92:

wasn't Opera mobile on Android already? I've got it on my phone...

Opera Mini is, Opera Mobile isn't.
mPolrThursday, October 14, 2010 11:04:36 AM
Cool!
P.S. Please, add proxy support!
emmarbeeThursday, October 14, 2010 11:12:32 AM
I've been longing for this day!
Please make it ASAP (even a beta release is soooo okay!)
LuchsThursday, October 14, 2010 11:13:54 AM
Will there also be Opera Mini for iPhone with Pinch to Zoom some day?
jottossonThursday, October 14, 2010 11:34:10 AM
Jeasus christ.
ArtyomThursday, October 14, 2010 11:51:57 AM
What about flash support???
maluminseThursday, October 14, 2010 12:02:25 PM
So whats the difference between Opera mini & Opera mobile?

Flash is def needed. Please make that priority.
TeoThursday, October 14, 2010 12:09:02 PM
Will it be a paid app? Because Android Market is not available in my country
Burov DmitryThursday, October 14, 2010 12:09:03 PM
Hope it would work well with Notion Ink Adam
Charles SchlossThursday, October 14, 2010 12:16:28 PM
myregsThursday, October 14, 2010 12:34:04 PM
pinch zoom
will it optionally feature classic opera zooming abilities - single-tap switching between inactive overall view and active zoomed view to preset zoom level. it was much better than pinch zoom... especially together with fingertouch (nearby elements)
tomassplatchThursday, October 14, 2010 12:55:27 PM
thank you, I am looking forward to this..!
Goran KonjevicThursday, October 14, 2010 1:04:11 PM
Flash maybe not in this version but there are some news about Adobe and opera working on implementation of flash within opera products (etc: opera mini, opera mobile.. )
It was recently posted on some web site but now i can't find where is that news ...
starenkaThursday, October 14, 2010 1:18:15 PM
Takk!!
simonbarnesThursday, October 14, 2010 1:24:19 PM
You sneaky fellas! I've been so annoyed about having to use Mini 5 (which I personally hate compared to 4) on my shiny Android phone for months, but it looks like you were working on porting Mobile all along!
guxin1129Thursday, October 14, 2010 1:31:35 PM
i hope a version for android1.6
my mobile may never be update to 2.0/2.1 for ever.my god!!!!!!!!
Al GarciaThursday, October 14, 2010 1:36:11 PM
Originally posted by guxin1129:

i hope a version for android1.6
my mobile may never be update to 2.0/2.1 for ever.my god!!!!!!!!

Same for my Samsung Galaxy Spica, which runs Android 1.5 and the update to 2.1 is only available in Germany.
I hope it runs on Cupcake!
xx900505Thursday, October 14, 2010 1:42:52 PM
That's amazing!
Nicolai Thorsen StaurvikThursday, October 14, 2010 1:50:49 PM
Originally posted by HellbillyDeluxe:

Just to be clear: When it comes out in a month, will it be a Beta or already the final product?

The desktop team releases it as an Alpha. Opera 11 is built on 10.70.
CaseThursday, October 14, 2010 2:43:59 PM
Any word on whether Opera Mobile for Android will support the "market://" links so we can set it as default browser? This is the single reason why I don't have Opera Mini currently set as default on my Android phones (and don't recommend).
NicoThursday, October 14, 2010 2:45:00 PM
Originally posted by Staurvik:

Originally posted by HellbillyDeluxe:

Just to be clear: When it comes out in a month, will it be a Beta or already the final product?
The desktop team releases it as an Alpha. Opera 11 is built on 10.70.
I'm talking about Opera Mobile, not the Desktop browser
Aleksander AasThursday, October 14, 2010 2:46:07 PM
Updated the post to add a few clarifications!
阿斌Thursday, October 14, 2010 2:47:45 PM
Great! I wait the version for a long time!