Take a look at this link to the worldwide Apple iTunes App Store top ten lists. Currently, Opera’s Mini Web Browser is the #1 free app in every country. Is it just curiosity, or is there really big demand for an alternative web browser for the iPhone? (As for me, I downloaded it, tried it for 2-3 minutes, and went back to Safari. Did everyone else do that too?)
“tried it for 2-3 minutes, and went back to Safari”
Yea, that’s what I did.
Then you are in a minority. Most people trying Opera Mini are keeping it.
Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/04/15/app-watch-opera-mini-app-top…
Probably most people downloaded it to try for a minute or two and dump, but some people probably kept it to become their main browser. I downloaded it just in case they choose to pull it, and I don’t even have a single iPhoneOS device…
Downloaded it to try it out, and also to have incase they pulled it later (there have been a few good apps that got pulled before I could get them!).
I’m hanging on to it for the times when my connection is brutally slow as the no-refresh-when-going-back is nice, but besides that it’s back to Safari for me.
Anybody stuck using EDGE alot, or worried about exceeding the limited dataplan would probably find this useful for most web-browsing (as opposed to sites where you log-in, compose messages, and generally interact more with the site).
If Opera was on it, they should include an easy way to “open this site in Safari”, minimizing the problem when you switch from ‘read-only’ sites to one you want to interact with.
I wonder how many people who download this will wonder how much more useful Opera could be if it didn’t have to abide by Apple’s no-runtime rule banning it’s own HTML and Javascript engines. That would be the rule looking out for it’s customer’s best experience. Or to stop confusion. Or something.
Edited 2010-04-14 21:52 UTC
I wonder how many people who download this will wonder how much more useful Opera could be if it didn’t have to abide by Apple’s no-runtime rule banning it’s own HTML and Javascript engines.
Unfortunately, non-geek audience will not know or understand that and will most likely just see Opera as a “bad browser.” I feel sorry for Opera developers as this will generate bad reputation for them for no reason of their own doing :/ I don’t use Opera myself, but I still think limiting developers from adding features that end-users will want and need is a horrible practice from Apple and really unfair, for both Opera and their customers
That just doesn’t make any sense.
Anyway, take a look at the comments on the Opera Mini home page, people seem to be loving it.
Yes. On my own website people LOVE me…
“Mike ROCKS!” -Bob
“This world would stink if Mike weren’t in it!” -Pete
“I want to have his babies!” -Scarlett Johansson
“He should be our next POTUS!” -Jimmy Carter
“Can I borrow some money?” -George
Edited 2010-04-14 23:03 UTC
Safari is way too slow for me somehow !!! Yes I do have 3G plan! After use Opera mini, I like it and it became my main browser on my iphone.
I like it and wonder if an iPad version will come out.
I downloaded it purely for those occasions where I can’t get a reasonable 3G signal and need to quickly check something on the ‘net. There is no way I could use it for everyday browsing in it’s current form – but it is only a version 1, so like everything expect improvement.
Just what value did Opera thought their custom widgets bring over iPhone OS’?
The UI functionality is hideous: scrolling, pop-up menues, toolbar, title bar (why is there one, to begin with?). They are evidently worse than what the OS provides. Why redoing everything (and do it badly)?
Still, I guess it is pretty cool for people (like teenagers) trying to save money on their data plan.
A website I visit almost daily has a weird javascript menu, which works fine in every desktop browser i’ve tried (IE6, 7, 8, Firefox PC & Mac, Opera, Safari PC & Mac), and works fine in iphone safari.
Opera mini refuses to do anything with it.
I touch it, no dropdown appears, but it zooms in.
I want a single browser which handles all the basics on the sites i visit, so i’ve stopped using it.
I’ll keep it installed incase Apple remove it from the store, but probably won’t us it.
Funny thing is the opera mini browser on my 4 year old extremely limited GPRS only Nokia phone handles that menu perfectly fine!
You know that, due to apple’s restrictions, opera CAN’T include a javascript interpreter in their software, right?
They try to simulate some of the javascript with their remote servers. But stop being so partial, it’s Apple’s fault if it can’t handle it all.
If opera had been accepted, it’s solely because Apple knew that without javascript most users would hate it without even thinking further (see: you).
So because its not operas fault, he should keep using their crappy software?
If I want full features I use iCab. If I want speed I will use Opera.
Safari lacks both features, especially full screen, and speed so why use it?
Edited 2010-04-15 14:45 UTC
We’re talking about the iPhone here, not the Mac. On the Mac, I’m all about Chrome. I don’t care for the desktop version of Safari.
That’s right, we are.
installed, opened one page, tried scrolling, and uninstalled it. There is no excuse for making iPhone software that looks and behaves so poorly.