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Video: Opera Mini vs. Pocket Internet Explorer

Published November 21st, 2007 1:51 PM EST By Daniel Goldman

The guys over at PocketNow.com posted a video comparison of Opera Mini 4 vs. Pocket Internet Explorer (PIE).

The video highlights Opera Mini’s speed compared to the SLOW Pocket IE. One thing they fail to mention is that loading webpages on Opera Mini works through our Opera Mini servers. In addition to formatting the webpage to fit the phone’s screen size, the server also compresses the page by about 85% to 90%. This has a huge effect on the download size and speed.

(Watch the video)

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5 Comments

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  1. 1 Dan Nov 21st, 2007 at 3:07 pm
    using Internet Explorer Internet Explorer 7.0 on Windows Windows Vista

    So when are we going to get that windows mobile version? :)

  2. 2 pdx77 Nov 21st, 2007 at 4:36 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.50 on Windows Windows XP

    to be fair (and I use Opera Mini) this is really not a fair comparision, he should be comparing Opera Mobile 8.65 to Internet Explorer Mobile and see how the compare. Opera Mini is nice, but it doesn’t support copy/paste and some other things that are common in PDA browsers. Now when Opera Mobile 9 comes out (hopefully soon, any updates?) things well be different.

  3. 3 yeeliberto Nov 21st, 2007 at 5:43 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.24 on Windows Windows XP

    Yeah, I noticed the same but when I used Opera Mobile for Windows Mobile 2003.
    Opera rules.

  4. 4 Lawmune Nov 21st, 2007 at 5:43 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.24 on Windows Windows XP

    Nice comparison of the two browsers on the same device. Having owned a very similar Windows Mobile handset in the past, I would predict that when browsing the Web off of Wi-fi, and only using cellular networks, the speed difference between Opera Mini and PIE would be even more dramatic (due to Opera Mini’s server-side compression).

  5. 5 Jerry Dec 20th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
    using Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 on Windows Windows XP

    One thing I was wondering, if you just hard-reset this device, why were all of those Java applets installed? Do those come with the Tilt? Also, unless you installed X-Button or the more recent version, HTC Task Manager, doesn’t WinMo just minimize after you click the “X” to close something? On my HTC 6800 I had to install that task manager to keep programs from running in the background after minimizing them with the “X”. Is the Tilt different in that respect?

    Still, your experience with these browsers pretty much mirrors mine. Opera Mini is a decent browser.

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Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.

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About Opera


Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.

Q: Is Opera free?
A: Absolutely free.

Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.

Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.

Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.

Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.

Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.

Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com