Opera Mini 5.1 released for Windows Mobile

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

While the rest of the world is focused on Windows Phone 7, our pals in Norway haven't forgotten about Windows Mobile.

Today, Opera released an updated version of Opera Mini, bringing the version up to 5.1 and adding some new features including:

  • The ability to set Opera Mini as the default browser
  • Support for devices with high-resolution (high DPI)
  • Improved page layout and font rendering
  • Support for auto-rotation/accelerometer support
  • Advanced configuration support for power users

While its big brother, Opera Mobile, gets a lot of attention, Opera Mini has gone a long way since its days of needing a separate Java client, making the differences between the two less obvious. Having said that, we've always liked Mini a bit more than Mobile just for its sheer speed. And no, Opera has not said anything about Windows Phone 7 support, though we know native browsers are a no-go for at least v1.0 of the new OS.

Anyways, you should be able to grab version 5.1 today by navigating to m.opera.com (opens in new tab) on your phone. Check out some of the screen shots below and the full press release after the break. Sound off in comments on your thoughts after you tried it!

Better browsing on Windows Mobile

Opera Mini 5.1 improves web experience on Windows Mobile devices

Oslo, Norway - September 09, 2010

Looking for a better Windows Mobile browser? Opera today released the improved Opera Mini 5.1 for Windows Mobile. The new update brings better support for high resolution handsets, accelerometer support and the ability to set Opera Mini as the default browser.

Opera Mini 5.1 has already been released for Java, Android and BlackBerry phones. Now available for Windows Mobile 2003 SE, 5.x and 6.x handsets, Opera Mini's server backbone speeds up browsing while reducing the data transferred to the phone. For users roaming on expensive networks, or with pay-as-you-go data plans, Opera Mini can cut your mobile data bill by up to 90 percent.

Opera Mini 5.1 features many compelling updates, including:

  • The ability to set Opera Mini as the default browser
  • Support for devices with high-resolution (high DPI)
  • Improved page layout and font rendering
  • Support for auto-rotation
  • Advanced configuration support for power users

"Opera Mini 5.1 contains several key improvements for the millions of people with a Windows Mobile phone," said Jon von Tetzchner, Co-founder, Opera Software. "The new Opera Mini is particularly vibrant and really takes advantage of high resolution screens. And, now that you can set Opera Mini as your default browser on a Windows Mobile phone, it is much easier to enjoy the speed boost and data compression. It is our way of making your Windows Mobile phone better."

Download

Visit m.opera.com with your phone’s default browser, and Opera will automatically select the optimized version for your phone. Opera Mini is free to download and use. Opera Mini works on Windows Mobile 2003 SE, Windows Mobile 5.x and Windows Mobile 6.x phones.

About Opera Software ASA

Opera Software ASA has redefined web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera?s cross-platform web-browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

8 Comments
  • It would be nice if it actually installed. The exact message I get is : Opera Mini wants to access RMS data. Continue? No matter what you answer, it just sits there and does nothing.
  • Haha awesome the day after I found my Omnia at the bottom of the washing machine. Too bad when I go to Verizon today for a new phone it'll likely be an Android.
  • In Soviet Russia, Omnia phone finds you!
  • i can't figure out how to make it the default browser on my tp2. any one know?
  • It is one of the options under Tools/Settings (the wrench) on Opera Mini 5.1 start page. You can toggle on/off the default browser option, but I haven't checked to see if it works on my TP2 yet.
  • If you download the first link you get the java app. (I had the same issue) go back to m.opera.com and tap the other downloads. You will find a Mini 5.1 for Windows Mobile that will install as a native client. As for setting as the default just tap the tool in the lower right corner-settings-default (tap where it says off)
  • The speed from the Opera Mini 5.1 makes me want to switch away from Opera Mobile 10.
  • Why Microsoft doesn't release opera mini for widows phone 8....