vB Easy Archive - Am I missing something with Opera Mini

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Am I missing something with Opera Mini
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Posted by: Guitar1969

I've read a lot of commentaries of people saying how great this Opera Browser is, but I don't get it. I installed the non beta version on my Blackjack(WM5) the other day(Beta would not install) and so far it looks like a dog.

The graphics look horrible(I even set the higher resolution) and every time I want to navigate to a page, it makes me confirm that I really want to open the page "For this time only" - No option for open without prompting. I am not really seeing a speed loading benefit which is what some people say. Am I doing something wrong, because pocket ie is way better based on my experience thus far. Please convince me otherwise.

Am I doing something wrong?

Posted by: phild4000

i agree with you too.

although opera mini 4 beta is a huge improvement. you should try that. Its the best for loading pages that ie wont display correctly. after i experienced internet on an iphone though i think i will be buying one of those an trading in my blackjack.

Posted by: mbranscum

Go to the Opera web site and download Opera for Smartphone (Beta).

Posted by: Guitar1969

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbranscum

Go to the Opera web site and download Opera for Smartphone (Beta).

It wouldn't install on mine , which is why I had to go with the stable version.

Posted by: 3560freak

get rid of the Blackjack (or any other Samsung for that matter) the Midlet Manager is horrible and does not allow for a connection for apps to the internet without a prompt each time (not just an issue with opera). Strange that you are having issue with the quality of images as I do not have those issues. As for the load times, again I am surprised. Opera loads pages anywhere from 4 to 5 times faster for me. This has to do with the backend server that Opera uses to actually pull the data and then reformat it, as opposed to PIE which formats it on the fly (more stress on the connection and CPU/OS). Maybe each user experience varies

Posted by: evolved.r

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3560freak

get rid of the Blackjack (or any other Samsung for that matter) the Midlet Manager is horrible and does not allow for a connection for apps to the internet without a prompt each time (not just an issue with opera). Strange that you are having issue with the quality of images as I do not have those issues. As for the load times, again I am surprised. Opera loads pages anywhere from 4 to 5 times faster for me. This has to do with the backend server that Opera uses to actually pull the data and then reformat it, as opposed to PIE which formats it on the fly (more stress on the connection and CPU/OS). Maybe each user experience varies

The issue regarding constant "connection confirmation" is in no way a fault of Samsung. This is purely Cingular/ATT's fault. When they (Cingular/ATT) install their customized firmware onto the phone, they basically crippled the midlet manager and required any non-cingular certified java application to constantly throw this pop up asking for user confirmation that they want to connect to the net. This SAME exact issue occured when I had my Nokia E62. The only way to fix it? Hack the phone and install Nokia's generic firmware. Of course this only worked for a few weeks until Nokia figured out what people were doing and they changed how their updater software worked, but thats beside the point.

In regards to Opera Mini, well I simply dont use it. I had it on my E62 and it worked pretty well. Images and such were by no means crystal clear but the text and formatting actually was nicely put together. Very impressed with the snappy responses from Opera's servers and the minimal amount of data needed to show the page content. I think its a great program for users who dont do alot of surfing and have a limited connection plan.

If you are looking for something to replace IE then I'd highly suggest Opera for Mobile. The WM5/6 version I have on my Blackjack is MUCH better at dealing with more complex pages then IE is. One website IE simply just craps out on every time while Opera handles it like a champ. The current 8.6x beta runs till October 1, 2007.

Posted by: genaldar

You might want to try opera mobile, as opposed to the java app. But I do agree with you, I'm not a fan (I've tried mobile and mini).

Posted by: player911

Well I only have 2 complaints with the things said previously.

1. I can't stand opera regardless. It makes things far too complicated to be anything useful. Sure it might load webpages 2 seconds faster, but it'll take twice that just to look at another tab, or "open link in new tab". Opera makes PIE look superb. Plus it takes up way too many resources.

2. Why would anyone choose to run a java app when they can run the app in their OS? If you absolutely have to run Opera, run Opera Mobile.

Oh, 3560freak, don't jump to conclusions unless your 100% positive you know what your talking about. Its misleading and false. AT&T is to blame for them crippling the blackjacks java. Anyone knows this. If you don't want AT&T's shortcomings then buy an unbranded phone. Or like many people, they buy the phone because carriers give good discounts and just debrand it yourself.

You can install the IBM J9 Java Manager if you want to update the java client. It still doesn't make Opera any more appealing.

Plus a smartphone is a smartphone is a smartphone. The OS is still always made by Microsoft. Pocket PC's (with phone capabilities) based on Windows Mobile OS are all basically the same. The only difference is the shell. The rest follow specific requirements and standards.

Posted by: 3560freak

Quote:

Originally Posted by player911

Well I only have 2 complaints with the things said previously.

1. I can't stand opera regardless. It makes things far too complicated to be anything useful. Sure it might load webpages 2 seconds faster, but it'll take twice that just to look at another tab, or "open link in new tab". Opera makes PIE look superb. Plus it takes up way too many resources.

2. Why would anyone choose to run a java app when they can run the app in their OS? If you absolutely have to run Opera, run Opera Mobile.

Oh, 3560freak, don't jump to conclusions unless your 100% positive you know what your talking about. Its misleading and false. AT&T is to blame for them crippling the blackjacks java. Anyone knows this. If you don't want AT&T's shortcomings then buy an unbranded phone. Or like many people, they buy the phone because carriers give good discounts and just debrand it yourself.

You can install the IBM J9 Java Manager if you want to update the java client. It still doesn't make Opera any more appealing.

Plus a smartphone is a smartphone is a smartphone. The OS is still always made by Microsoft. Pocket PC's (with phone capabilities) based on Windows Mobile OS are all basically the same. The only difference is the shell. The rest follow specific requirements and standards.

true, while I do not have 1st hand experience with unbranded Samsungs, I have used other Cingular/AT&T phones without these issues (most notably the 8125) and since I didn't have this problem I assumed it was a Samsung issue. I apologize.

On a 2nd note, I have only experienced PIE on an EDGE connection (and WiFi) but to my eyes Opera Mini (java version) renders pages 4 or 5 times faster than PIE (although pages look better in PIE). I generally only use PIE for banking sites.