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Opera Software has unveiled a super-lightweight browser aimed at Web-enabling some 700 million low-end and mid-tier mobile phones. Dubbed Opera Mini, the browser works on WAP-enabled, J2ME-equipped (Java 2 Mobile Edition) handsets, provided the selected wireless carrier supports the service, Opera says.
Opera Mini is based on a small Java client that is installed on the phone, along with a remotely located server that pre-processes Web pages and delivers them to the device, Opera said.
The mini browser makes use of Operas small screen rendering technology.
“It has all the features expected of a browser, and more, such as bookmarks, browsing history, and ability to split large pages into smaller sections for faster browsing,” the company claims on its Web site.
Installing Opera Mini is as easy as downloading a ring tone, according to Opera.
“Users simply send an SMS or visit a link through their WAP browser to receive it, and they are online in an instant.”
Opera suggests that adding Web access to low- and mid-tier phones has the potential to “dramatically increase” revenues by boosting the use of mobile Web services.