Opera Software announced recently the availability of the second beta for their upcoming Opera Mini 5 mobile browser.
In addition to several unspecified bug fixes designed to enhance the fluidity of the user interface, the new beta also includes a trio of important features:
- Download manager
- Opera Link
- Progressive loading
The new download manager, Opera says, allows users to juggle multiple downloads in a desktop-like way, complete with download acceleration, pausing and resuming. Opera Link, meanwhile, gives users the ability to synchronize their mobile with the bookmarks and Speed Dial configuration of their full computer.
“For Opera, status quo is not an option. We are always improving our products, adding new functionality and features to deliver a faster and more personal Web experience,” said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “Also, unifying the look and feel, regardless of device, makes it easy for anyone to get online anywhere, anytime.”
But it is clear that Opera is most proud of the new progressive loading feature which, like desktop browsers, begins rendering the page as soon as it receives the information to do so. This differs from the default RIM browser or previous versions of Opera which wait until the page can be fully displayed before presenting it the user. This change alone greatly enhances the perception of speed and makes text available to the user before time-consuming images.
These new features support existing functionality like tabbed browsing, password management, cushioned scrolling, and Opera’s Speed Dial feature which makes often-accessed pages available at a click from tiles on the home screen.
Supported handsets include all late-model BlackBerry devices, as well as several Sony Ericsson smartphones. Interested parties can download the software from their mobile browser at http://m.opera.com/next.
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