Opera Software Previews Opera Mini 4.2

Opera Software released a preview of Opera Mini 4.2, the newest version of its mobile Web browser, which works on almost any mobile phone. According to the company, Opera Mini is the browser of choice for more than 20 million unique monthly users worldwide. You can download the Opera Mini beta here.

"The number of people using Opera Mini worldwide proves that there is a true revolution going on: People want to access all their favorite Web sites on the mobile phone they have today," Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner said. "We constantly focus on developing a faster and more personal browsing experience. Opera Mini 4.2 Beta is an update that takes mobile Web browsing to the next level."

Company officials said Opera Mini 4.2 Beta provides a more personalized experience with its selection of new skins and improved support for YouTube and other mobile video services on a wider selection of mobile phones. Improvements in Opera Link let users share notes between their mobile phones and PCs, in addition to their bookmarks and recently visited URLs.

"Opera Mini is a mobile application to be reckoned with," Yankee Group Vice President John Jackson said in a statement. "We have witnessed a 10 percent average growth in the number of Opera Mini users worldwide every month, with every indication that the trend will continue. As the browser keeps improving in speed and functionality and end-user awareness expands, Opera Mini's popularity [among] users worldwide should continue to grow."

In October, von Tetzchner chided Microsoft for its standards support, or lack thereof, in Internet Explorer (IE). Although he acknowledged that Microsoft has gotten better at adhering to Web standards, he said, "For years, Microsoft wasn't acting. However, the Web standards are developing again and, hopefully, Microsoft is moving in the right direction. We have to make sure Microsoft adheres to Web standards. The browser contest has become one of seeing who has the best standards support."

In addition, von Tetzchner said Opera is able to innovate because "what we do is focus only on browsers, so we are very focused on the end user. We are a company that focuses on one thing, and that leads us to innovate.