Opera Mini 4.2 released

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 26th November 2008
Comments (5) Stumble
Opera Mini 4.2 released

The new Opera Mobile build enhances support for Opera Link, which can synchronise data with a desktop Opera install.

The latest build of popular mobile web browser Opera Mini, version 4.2, has been officially launched this week – just one day after the first beta build for Google's Android platform was offered for download.

According to ITWire, the new build brings back the ability to 'skin' certain parts of the application in order to customise the colour scheme – a minor feature, true, but one that many users had missed since it was removed after version 3.

Some major behind-the-scenes tweaks have been introduced in this latest build, too: of particular note is the creation of a new farm of servers located in the US which pre-compress the content before it is delivered to the handset, saving time and data access charges. While all versions of Opera Mini use these servers, the lack of a US-based farm has meant poor access times for American users. The new build, which is configured to take advantage of the new servers, promises to speed access times by up to 30 percent for those located in the US.

If you frequently view videos on your mobile, you'll be pleased by Opera Mini's ability to hand RTSP links to the in-built media player in the background – offering far greater compatibility than attempting to shoehorn a plugin into the browser.

The final addition to Opera Mini's feature set is enhanced support for the long-awaited 'Opera Link', a feature allowing users to synchronise information – including doodles and notes - between the mobile browser and an installation of its full-blooded desktop equivalent, Opera.

Opera Software's CEO, Jon von Tetzchner, stated that this latest release shows that “Opera never gets complacent” and that “we will always be improving our product, adding speed, new functionality and features, and ensuring that it is accessible by all.”

Compatible with the vast majority of handsets out there, this latest build is available free of charge from Opera's website right now.

Does Opera Mobile make your 'phone worth having, or have you never needed anything but the default browser – or no browser at all? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote GregTheRotter 26th November 2008, 18:39
shame it didn't add anything amazing for us users in europe.
Quote Perforated 26th November 2008, 20:26
Aye, but it's nice to see they're still putting work in. The default browser on my Nokia 6500c is all but worthless, so Opera's a very much loved bit of kit on my phone (unlimited web access on my contract, so I use it a LOT). Plus, being able to use the same browser on my nice Nokia & my back-up Samsung J600 makes moving between phones a much less irritating prospect.

The last update's new features, like being able to flip the screen 90 degrees, were brilliant. This update doesn't affect me much, but it's reassuring to see everything moving along - makes me all the more eager to see what the next one brings :) (although, running Fx on my desktop negates the Opera Link feature... any more news on Fx mobile?)
Quote ch424 26th November 2008, 23:29
the old version makes my phone crash/restart randomly, so hopefully this'll sort things out :)
Quote Gremlin 27th November 2008, 01:30
Yeah the beta caused my n95 8gb to crash randomly but this so far hasn't caused an issue!

I use opera on my desktop and have for years and opera mini is another bloody awesome browser, i am just waiting for them to update opera mobile for s60 since the beta is only win mobile etc
Quote Jipa 27th November 2008, 08:19
I do like the Mini over N95's default browser (opera as well, dunno?). Could try this one out as well, but so far I'm happy with the old version.
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