The browser brings along Smart Page, with Facebook and Twitter integration

Feb 27, 2012 17:31 GMT  ·  By

Today, Norwegian software company Opera Software unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona a new version of its Opera Mini application.

Opera Mini Next, which is only a preview flavor of what’s next for Opera Mini, brings along a series of advanced social media functions. You can get a taste of it via the links below.

The new version of the application will arrive on devices with Smart Page, which should be included in all Opera Mini browsers for feature phones later this year.

Through it, users will benefit from fast access to social networks and to the latest news out there, as well as to other online destinations.

Through Smart Page, the Opera Mini Next browser will offer Facebook and Twitter integration straight on the first screen. Thus, feature phone users will be able to stay closer to the social web at all times.

Opera also announced that it would not include the feature in smartphone versions of Opera Mini Next. However, there will be enhancements added to these app flavors as well.

“Android users of Opera Mini Next will get a smoother browsing experience, with hardware acceleration and a revamped Speed Dial,” Opera notes.

The new Speed Dial screen, which includes an unlimited number of Speed Dial shortcuts, will make a debut in all versions of Opera Mini Next.

According to Nokia, the new Opera Mini Next series is meant to prove a great option for all those who “like to stay ahead of the pack.” Users will be able to install the new browser flavors alongside the regular Opera Mini browser.

To distinguish them, Opera chose to provide a white Opera icon on user’s screens, as opposed to the usual red icon for the stable version.

“When people think of using social networks on the go, they often imagine a smartphone with the latest apps installed. At Opera, we know that’s not the way a majority of mobile phone owners access their social networks,” says Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software.

“That’s why we’ve made ‘ordinary’ phones smarter, by making it easier to use the most popular social networks right in the first screen of Opera Mini for feature phones. Just because you’re on a more basic phone, doesn’t mean you can’t be an active social networker.”

Opera Mini for Android 6.5.2 / 7.0 beta

Opera Mini for BlackBerry 6.5 / 7.0 beta

Opera Mini for Java 6.5 / 7.0 beta

Opera Mini for iPhone/iPad 7.0

Opera Mini for Symbian 6.5.1 / 7.0 beta