Opera 9.5 SDK for Devices Now Available

Opera Software announced the release of the Opera 9.5 SDK for Devices. The release includes a beta version of a new visual effects layer that will give users an improved Web experience with fluid transitions, panning, zooming and interactivity.

"Opera 9.5 SDK sets a new direction towards an exciting, emotionally heightened user experience with focus on a hardware accelerated visual effects and interactivity. Our customers and the market have been asking for it, and we have delivered with this release," said Jon von Tetzchner, Chief Executive Officer of Opera Software.

The beta versions of the new visual effects layer and Opera Zoom enhance usability by bringing fluid zooming, transitions and panning. Opera 9.5 SDK also includes an improved evaluation kit for device manufacturers. To speed benchmarking, evaluation and time-to-market, the release introduces a bundled Flash plug-in demo and set of standard Opera Widgets, such as calendar, news reader and calculator. In addition Opera 9.5 SDK significantly improves Web page rendering performance over its predecessor. Other upgrades in the Opera 9.5 SDK include improved management of Widget states and download, extended APIs for password, certificate, cookie, session and plug-in management, as well as built-in site patching support.

Based on the same core engine as the Opera desktop browser, Opera for Devices delivers Web browsing capabilities to set-top boxes, portable media players and other devices. In addition to being a full Internet browser, Opera is also an execution environment for Web applications and dynamic user interfaces based on interoperable open Web technologies such as AJAX.

With Opera 10 already underway, the next edition of Opera's SDK will include upgrades to features available with this current release, as well as the final version of the visual effects layer and Opera Zoom. Opera will be showcasing its browser technologies at the Sands Expo & Convention Center at CES in Las Vegas, January 7-10.