To the rescue: Opera builds momentum on Windows Mobile devices

Oslo, Norway and Orlando, Florida – March 28, 2007

Opera Software today announced the growing momentum for its Opera Mobile(TM) Web browser on devices running the Windows Mobile(R) operating system. Major manufacturers, such as HTC and Toshiba, are including Opera on their handsets to provide their customers with a superior mobile Internet experience. Meanwhile, end-users are eager for better browsing on their mobile phones, resulting in a download increase of more than 50 percent on Opera’s website from February 2006 to February 2007.

Over the last few months the Opera browser has been selected for the following handsets running Windows Mobile:

  • Motorola MOTO Q q9
  • ASUS V1210 for Vodafone International and the VDA IV for Vodafone Germany
  • T-Mobile Ameo
  • Dopod U1000 (Asia)
  • Toshiba G500 and G900

During the month of February 2007, there were 216,283 downloads of Opera’s browser for Windows Mobile Smartphone and PocketPC editions, up from 142,502 in February 2006. The Opera browser for PocketPC on Windows Mobile 5.0 is the most popular download among Opera’s Windows Mobile browser offerings.

“Handset manufacturers choose Opera for their Windows Mobile-based devices for its speed, stability and standards compliance. Mobile users prefer the Opera browser because it gives them all their favorite Web pages in a user-friendly manner,” says Roger Carlhammar, EVP Mobile, Opera Software.

In addition, Opera Software is releasing a preview of the latest public version of the Opera browser for Windows Mobile. With Opera Mobile 8.65 (beta), users across all the PocketPC and Smartphone versions of Windows Mobile get a faster and more user-friendly Web experience. Users can enjoy new features such as searching directly in the address bar, grab and scroll (PocketPC only), copy text, save function for images and the ability to import IE bookmarks.

Availability

The Opera browser for Windows Mobile is available for download at http://www.opera.com/products/mobile/products/

Opera at CTIA Wireless 2007

Opera’s CEO, Jon von Tetzchner spoke at the “Wireless Web: Version 2.0” panel on Tuesday, March 27, 2007. He was joined by executives from Nokia, Palm and Yahoo! where they addressed technical, business and user experience issues relating to mobile Web adoption.

Opera will also showcase a number of demos at its Booth # 783, Hall A2; these demos include:

  • Opera 9 for Mobile
  • Opera Mini 3.0 with social networking capabilities
  • Mobile Widgets
  • Opera’s browser on various handheld devices