Opera planning hybrid Android browser

Norwegian software maker Opera is aiming to make a splash on phones running Google’s Android operating system in 2012 with a hybrid version of its browser, a tech site reported. CNET reported Opera will introduce a combination of its Opera Mini and Opera Mobile browsers for Android devices – a feature that can potentially save network resources and battery life. “We’d like to take Mini and put it into Mobile. We call it Opera with Turbo for Android...That is something we are looking forward to launch at the beginning of next year," Opera chief executive Lars Boilesen said in an interview with CNET. Opera Mobile is a “traditional" browser that processes Web page code, while Opera Mini lets an Opera server process the code and send a “boiled-down" version of the page to the phone. The Opera Mini operation may disable some websites’ features, but can cut network usage and save battery life. CNET reported Opera plans to have a hybrid browser that will detect when the network is strained and switch into a Mini mode. It cited Net Applications figures showing Android’s stock browser growing in terms of global web usage, while that of Opera Mini is dwindling. But Boilesen believes many Opera Mini users can be converted to Opera Mobile once they upgrade to Android. “In countries where we have more than a million [Opera mobile browser] users, we have a very strong brand. It’s natural for them to ask to use Opera on whatever phone they get," he said. CNET noted that since Boilesen took over as CEO from Opera co-founder Jon von Tetzchner in January 2010, the number of countries with a million or more Opera mobile browser users has increased from three or four to more than 20. Turbo boost With the hybrid version, Web page code such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS also need not be sent over the mobile network. But while Boilesen said the new hybrid approach would arrive early in 2012, Chief Development Officer Christen Krogh said Opera has yet to have a specific schedule. Still, Krogh was enthusiastic about the approach, seeing it as the natural combination of its mobile browsers and mobile-phone computing trends. “With Opera Mini, we’re going from the bottom up. We see these feature phones becoming more and more capable. And for Opera Mobile, it comes in from the top. It’s fantastic for tablets, and good for smartphones," Krogh said. Android push Boilesen said Opera is making a major push for its browser for Android, launching Android versions of Opera Mini 6.5 and Opera Mobile 11.5. He said they are aiming for a 10-percent market share soonest. “I think we’re on our way to do that. We now have 5 or 6 million users, and we have good reviews," he said. For their part, Opera offices in Oslo are littered with fake money sporting the face of Chief Financial Officer Erik Harrell, with each bill exhorting employees to spread the word about Opera for Android. — TJD, GMA News