Review: Opera Mini browser for iPhone

Apr 13 10

BradiPhone , No Comments

Let me start by saying I use the full blooded, Opera 10, browser on all my Apple computers, so I have been eagerly  anticipating the arrival of the Opera Mini browser (App store link) for the iPhone.  Well this morning I tried Opera mini out, and I don’t find it as smooth as Safari.  I also do not like that the only search engine in the search bar is Google – I like having choices.

Also, Opera mini seems inconsistent when it renders pages: some render very well and others don’t.  I will say Opera mini is fast, especially when you are on the Edge network instead of 3G.  There are a couple of places I go that I can barely get Edge so Opera mini will come in handy for me.  And that is why I will keep Opera Mini on my iPhone – for those times when I have a slow data connection.  For now it will not replace Safari.

I do like “Speed Dial” on Opera mini so I will set that up.  Hopefully, Opera will continue to improve on the iPhone because I would like to use it.

I really would like to see some version of Opera for the iPad!

Bottom line:  Opera Mini (which is free BTW) has a lot of potential and is handy if you are on the Edge (2G) data network a lot due to it’s better speed.

Video: Opera Mini for iPhone Demo

Mar 24 10

BradiPhone , , No Comments

I have been fairly pleased with Apple’s Safari browser on the iPhone.  However on all my Mac computers I use Opera and while not perfect, I prefer it.  So I have been watching the announcement that Opera was going to produce a version of their smartphone browser “Opera Mini” for the iPhone.  Check out this video demo of Opera Mini running  on an iPhone.

I really hope Apple will approve the Opera Mini Browser for iPhone app.  I would like to try it and decide for myself which browser to use.  I may not prefer it to Safari it in the long run but I think competition is good and having choices is good too.