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Opera Mini 4.2 final released for Android phones

6 Comments
 Published January 28th, 2009 12:41 PM EST By BAMAToNE

Opera Software today released the final version of Opera Mini 4.2 for Android, the open-source operating system pioneered by Google that runs on the T-Mobile G1 phone. Improvements from the beta version include:

  • uploading and downloading files through Opera Mini and saving pages for offline viewing
  • Flash videos redirected to Android’s YouTube player
  • double tap now works for zooming in and out
  • Inline URL entry instead of using native input
  • password text entry now hides characters
  • problems with exiting application when back button was pressed
  • improved trackball speed
  • internal pages, like the start page, now have font size extra large for easier navigation

As someone who owns a G1, I find Opera Mini to be much faster than the native Chrome browser. The difference is not so great in a 3G environment, but there is a huge improvement when browsing on the slower EDGE network.

Download Opera Mini 4.2 by accessing the Android Market on your phone. (Search “Opera”) Settings from the previous beta installation are retained. Feedback is welcomed in the Opera Mini forum!

Below are some screenshots I took to illustrate the changes: 

larger font for start page, which shows Speed Dial sites

larger font for start page, which shows Speed Dial sites

 

 

inline URL entry

inline URL entry

 

saving pages for offline viewing

saving pages for offline viewing

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  1. 1 KenBW2 Jan 28th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.63 on Windows Windows NT

    I notice you have Google Reader in your Speed Dial. You obviously don’t use the Mobile Google Reader (http://www.google.com/reader/m), but I don’t know of any others compatible with Opera Mini as they are all AJAXed. Which is yours?

  2. 2 BAMAToNE Jan 28th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
    using Safari Safari 525.19 on Mac OS Mac OS X

    Glad you brought that up!

    My Speed Dial site that you see in the screenshot is indeed the normal Google Reader. That’s because my Opera Mini synchronized my bookmarks from Opera desktop.

    However, I don’t use that link when I am in Opera Mini. I browse to Bookmarks, then to the Google Reader Mobile site (google.com/reader/m). That works great in Opera Mini.

    When I’m in the Chrome browser, I use the AJAX site linked off the mobile Google home page (google.com/m?page=2#reader – link does not work in desktop browser).

    Edit: Btw, the OS/browser detector seems to be a little off. I’m using Chrome (Beta channel) in WinXP. ;)

  3. 3 KenBW2 Jan 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.63 on Windows Windows NT

    Ah, so you have the same problem as I do then. My solution is set Speed Dial to http://www.google.com/reader/m and set a Greasemonkey script to redirect me to the real Reader site on a desktop.

    PS: You have another problem with your OS detector – I’m using Windows 7 :P And what are you doing using an alternative browser :O

  4. 4 BAMAToNE Jan 28th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
    using Safari Safari 525.19 on Mac OS Mac OS X

    And what are you doing using an alternative browser :O

    I like to be knowledgeable about all browsers! :D

    Good idea about the Greasemonkey script.

  5. 5 Kelson Jan 28th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
    using Opera Mini Opera Mini 9.60

    The fix on the trackball speed alone makes this 10x more useable than the beta! Also, I didn’t see it in the changelog, but I think it’s handling touch-screen clicks better too.

  6. 6 BAMAToNE Jan 31st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
    using Safari Safari 525.19 on Mac OS Mac OS X

    Kelson: I agree that the scrolling speed via trackball is much improved, but I think it’s too sensitive. I’m always accidentally page downing, etc.

    The one big thing I miss in Opera Mini from Chrome on Android is the “Share Page” button, which lets me send a page link via Gmail.

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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