If you checked out the beta of the complete Opera browser app back in March and want to see the progress that was made, you can now try the complete real deal. Released this morning to Google Play, Opera brings a full-web experience, complete with custom features that make browsing the web painless and quick. 

The browser features two very unique features, among many others. The first one is Speed Dial, basically a bookmarks page, but it gives the pages the look of apps. You can place pages in folders for easy access to multiple categories. The second feature is Off-Road mode. With this enabled, users are able to browse the web at high speeds even without a good mobile data connection. For people who can’t stand page loads, this is something to check out.

You can grab it for free right through Google Play.

Play Link

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Full Version of Opera Released for Android, Features Speed Dial and Off-Road Mode is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, you can download the brand new browser from Opera. Don’t worry, Opera Mini is still there, but this is the complete package based on a webkit rendering engine. It currently has a beta tag alongside, but so far, it seems to be packed with great features. With Opera, thanks to their server process, you will load pages quicker than other browsers and it also allows your to save music, videos, and other content thanks to their download manager. 

I know it might be hard to give up Chrome or even the stock browser, but try it out and let us know what you think.

Play Link

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Via: Opera

Opera Browser Beta for Android Now Up in Google Play is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, Opera Software, the makers of the popular mobile browser, went ahead and announced their purchasing of Skyfire. For now, Skyfire will still operate as an independent entity and continue to develop and support Skyfire Browser for its users. Over the next year and the years following, Opera wants to be able to utilize Skyfire’s ability to make video work on mobile browsers and would like to see the two companies create services together. 

The CEO of Opera, Lars Boilesen, gave the following quote in a press release.

Both companies have evolved far beyond their browser roots. Skyfire adds capabilities to our portfolio around video, app optimization, smartphones and tablets, and strength in North America. With video expected to consume over two-thirds of global mobile bandwidth by 2015, and as time spent on Android and iOS apps explodes, we are excited to extend Opera’s solutions for operators.

The deal is set to take effect in March of this year, to the tune of $155 million in cash and stock. For further details, check out the press release below.

Mountain View, California and Oslo, Norway — February 15, 2013

Opera Software announced today that it has acquired Silicon Valley based Skyfire Labs, a leader in mobile video optimization and cloud solutions for mobility.

Skyfire, headquartered in Mountain View, California, is known for its Rocket Optimizer™ software. This allows mobile operators to leverage cloud computing to optimize virtually any video and other multimedia on crowded cell towers, including 3G and 4G LTE networks. Rocket Optimizer on average provides mobile networks a 60 percent boost in capacity by reducing the size of video and other multimedia content as needed to fit the available bandwidth. Skyfire can detect when specific users are facing poor quality of experience or connections that need assistance, and intervene in milliseconds. This can minimize the long start times, rebuffering, and stalls on video and audio streams that frustrate mobile users around the world. The approach aligns with the trend toward SDN (software-defined networking) and NFV (network function virtualization) among telecommunications operators, thanks to its elastic and virtualization-friendly cloud architecture.

Skyfire also offers Skyfire Horizon™, a mobile browser extension and toolbar platform that allows users to personalize their smartphone browser and operators to gain new monetization opportunities. Skyfire has honed its technology through a variety of top-selling consumer applications, which have more than 20 million worldwide downloads to date.

Skyfire currently counts three large U.S. mobile operators as customers for its Rocket Optimizer and Skyfire Horizon solutions, and is in trials with ten other operators around the world.

“Opera and Skyfire are a natural fit,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. “Both companies have evolved far beyond their browser roots. Skyfire adds capabilities to our portfolio around video, app optimization, smartphones and tablets, and strength in North America. With video expected to consume over two-thirds of global mobile bandwidth by 2015, and as time spent on Android and iOS apps explodes, we are excited to extend Opera’s solutions for operators.”

“Opera practically invented cloud compression to improve mobile user experience, and the team at Skyfire is proud to join forces and advance cloud solutions together,” said Jeffrey Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “Opera’s over 100 carrier relationships, global sales team, and delivery organization can accelerate the global commercialization of Skyfire’s technology. Opera´s Mediaworks advertising unit with AdMarvel, Mobile Theory and 4th Screen Advertising will strengthen Skyfire Horizon by offering mobile operators a complete turnkey solution including ad optimization, ad sales, and rich analytics. The synergies across all the product lines for both companies are tremendous.”

After the deal closes, Glueck will assume the role of EVP of the Operator Business for Opera, as well as CEO of Skyfire, and will oversee the joint offerings for Opera across Opera Mini co-brand solutions for Operators and Skyfire’s product lines. Skyfire will remain an independent entity as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Opera, and will continue to develop and support the Skyfire browser.

The two companies envision a powerful new set of joint products to be released over the coming year by combining their talents and know-how. In particular, they look to expand on Opera’s Web Pass offering, which allows consumers to purchase innovative data plans such as an unlimited ‘day pass’ of popular apps and web sites for an affordable price, thanks to video and data optimization. WebPass can enable new business models for operators, such as toll free data, ad-supported data, and more.

“The market opportunity for video/media optimization solutions geared towards operators and consumers is significant. After a thorough evaluation of this market, we strongly believe Skyfire is the clear leader for the future in this space”, said Erik Harrell, CFO/CSO of Opera.

The acquisition price includes a mix of cash and stock, with an upfront consideration of US$50 million (including US$8 million of cash on the Skyfire balance sheet) and performance based earn-out payments over three years, including US$26 million in cash held in escrow and funded upfront, that can bring the total deal size to $155 million.

The Opera acquisition of Skyfire is expected to close before March 15, 2013.

Opera Software Acquires Skyfire Browser For $155 Million is a post from: Droid Life

Last night on the DL Show, we quickly discussed the many options that Android users have in terms of Internet browser applications. In fact, there are a ton of good choices out there. You have Chrome, which has become very popular for syncing between multiple devices, Dolphin for its large list of features, Opera for its speed, and the list goes on. Each seems to have its own unique characteristic that people are drawn to.

Let us know down below which one you’re stuck on.

Thursday Poll: What Is Your Most Used Android Web Browser is a post from: Droid Life

Not too long ago, Firefox started a march for a better web experience. Today, Firefox has taken it’s first true step towards that goal. They have updated their Android application, and have given Firefox for Android a very nice face lift, and more importantly, have given developers the tools to build better web applications, and websites. 

The new welcome page helps users discover browser tools and features (like Firefox Sync, add-ons, tabbed browsing and bookmarks) that are conveniently stowed away in the side panels. Many users will notice faster zooming, crisp text and reduced pixelation due to enhanced image rendering in Firefox for Android.

Firefox for Android adds support for tools that help developers create rich, compelling mobile Web apps and websites. With the single touch events API, developers can build Web experiences that detect touch events and gestures. Imagine mobile Web apps that enable users to swipe their finger to pan around a map and mobile Web games that let you swipe a finger to swing a baseball bat or pull a slingshot to launch an angry bird. Support for multi-touch events will be added in future releases.

Which mobile browser people tend to use is a big deal for some, and with a seemingly never ending list, it is hard to make a definite choice. Has everyone given Firefox’s previous attempts a chance? Definitely check out the newest version and see if it is on par with Dolphin Browser or Opera Browser. Let us know if it’s better and if this new makeover was a good move.

Market Link

Which mobile browser is everyone rocking these days?

Via: Mozilla

Firefox For Android Receives Makeover, Starts Delivering Tools For Developers To Create Richer Web Experiences is a post from: Droid Life

Opera is releasing a tablet-specific browser in the near future and they just previewed it on Youtube and their blog.  The plan is for them to show an in-depth look during CES this week, but as many companies are doing in the days leading up, decided to tease the heck out of us with it.  All I can say, is this version of Opera blows away the stock browser on the Galaxy Tab (review), so this is exciting news.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  Opera Blog

Opera Demos Tablet-specific Browser, More to Come at CES is a post from: Droid Life