14 DAY TRIAL // Opera is now offering a sneak peak at an Opera browser designed especially for tablets. While it's not offering that many details about the actual browser, the short demo video shows Opera running on an Android-powered, Galaxy Tab along with pinch-to-zoom and touch input.
Opera is also highlighting the new tablet interface, but it's not saying what's actually underneath, a remodeled version of Opera Mobile for Android or something new, though it's most likely the former.
It's also somewhat implying that the Android version is just the beginning and the browser may be available for other devices as well.
The new Opera for tablets will be presented at this year's CES, which should be teeming with tablets from all manner of manufacturers, many of them running Android.
"At the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2011, Opera Software will unveil the first public preview of Opera for tablets. Whether it’s checking email, managing social networks or surfing the net, Opera’s specialized browser for tablets provides you with the smoothest tablet and netbook experience on the market," Opera announced.
"In 2011, tablets are a new must-have. Opera is creating waves with the first public preview of Opera for tablets," Christen Krogh, Chief Development Officer at Opera, said.
"Opera for tablets brings the same trusted Internet experience to tablets and netbook PCs as users have come to love on their mobile phones and desktops," he explained.
While Opera has always been the underdog on the desktop, it has flourished on mobile devices. Opera Mini is by far the most popular web browser for 'dumb' phones and Opera Mobile is a viable alternative to the default browser on smartphone platforms.
A tablet version is only the next logical step, but, unlike for the iPad, the browser market for Android devices is rather crowded and there are several strong players already.
Opera's brand should help, but Opera for tablets will have to be a worthy product on its own if it is to gain any significant market share and get people to switch from the default Android browser.