Gizmodo
Sure, with a little third-party app hacking you've been able to get Opera running on some Helio phones for a while. But today Helio and Opera have released Opera Mini in what's the first official deployment of the tiny browser by a US service provider. Apparently Helio listened to their enthusiast community and then worked to tailor the software. Press release below the screenshots.
The software is available for download from today from Helio's web portal. Currently it's optimized for the Ocean, but since this is apparently the "start of a beautiful relationship" we may expect to see other versions in the near future.
Opera Mini Surfs on the Helio Ocean
Opera signs first deal with U.S. service provider
Oslo, Norway and Mountain View, CA - March 19, 2008 - Opera, together with Helio, announced the first deployment of Opera Mini on a mobile service provider in the United States. As of today, Helio members can surf the Web with Opera Mini on their Ocean device with a specially-tailored version of the browser designed specifically for the handset.
Available as a downloadable application from Helio's Web portal, Opera Mini is a perfect addition to the Helio Ocean, a sleek and powerful dual-slide device that offers an incredible breadth of functionality. Opera Mini makes browsing on the Ocean even more fun and addictive with an
elegant desktop-like experience that lets the user dive into the page to access the content they want. At the same time, Opera Mini serves pages at lightning speed so it will not slow down the on-the-go mobile experience to which Helio members are accustomed.
"We're always looking to give our members their choice of great applications so we're excited to be the first service provider in the U.S. to make Opera Mini an on-deck option," said Doug Britt, Vice President of Service Management at Helio. "Opera Mini is a tremendous mobile browser. Optimized for Ocean and running on a nationwide 3G network, its a combination that's tough to match."
"Offering Opera Mini underscores Helio's insight into how the mobile industry is evolving," said Rod Hamlin, SVP Sales and Marketing Americas, Opera. "Helio understands their customers' desire for innovative and engaging mobile experiences and answering this demand with a choice in browsers explains why Helio selected Opera Mini."
More than 39 million cumulative users have discovered how Opera Mini can revolutionize their mobile Web experience. Now Helio Ocean users can enjoy all the features and fun of Opera Mini, including Opera Link, a free service that synchronizes your bookmarks, Speed Dial and personal bar between all your Web browsers.
About Opera Software ASA
Opera Software ASA has redefined Web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera's cross-platform Web browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at HYPERLINK "http://www.opera.com" www.opera.com.
Opera Mini Surfs on the Helio Ocean - 2About Helio
Helio is the mobile brand for the Internet generation. With advanced mobile services, exclusive, high-end, beautiful devices and smart pricing on a nationwide high-speed 3G network, Helio is built for consumers who have mobile at the center of their lives. Helio is a joint venture between
SK Telecom, one of the world's most advanced wireless carriers, and EarthLink, the next generation Internet service provider. www.helio.com.
Comments
I new bucking the iPhone craze and going with Helio would pay off someday... Not sure today is that day, but it's a start.
And for the record, new = knew, from here on out.
Helio would have to be one of the worst phone providers I have ever used. I hated the Ocean and I knew I was missing out on the iPhone. The 3G was slow and crappy, the service was, well, run by teenagers. All in all, I returned the device last September, but it took me 6 months to get my money back.
I'd never go with a MVNO again.
can anyone get Opera to work - I mean really?
Does Helios know what they are doing - it's like saying - yuou have a browser that read UNIX file servers and that's about it....
Isn't Helio a couple million in the hole? How long will they last? I mean they're probably the tightest wireless service, with the sweetest phones. I mean the Ocean was called the iPhone-Killer, and it came out BEFORE the iPhone!
-budboyy2k
@flyboy: I use Opera (not mini) everyday. It is one of the best designed browsers out there, IMHO.
That said, I haven't tried FF3 or Safari for Windows yet.
And now Opera on the iPhone please :D
Just installed it, works great, much better than the default browser. Thanks for the heads up Giz!
gee your article makes it sound like the hacked version is unstable or something vs the "official" version :/ It worked(s) just fine, thank you.
Ugh. I don't want to pay for a web browser, so I eschew everything Opera.
wonder if the developers got any credit/funds for programming it for the helio?
@The Great Aussie Evil: It's free.
@The Great Aussie Evil: 'eschew'
Bless you.
I downloaded it and it works faster and smoother than the unofficial option. Still playing with it, but so far I like it.
Not supported on all their devices. And BTW, that "enthusiast community" you mentioned is Heliocity.com
If you are looking for customer service, Helio is NOT the company for you. Been a loyal customer of another provider for the past 5 years. When I saw the $99 deal I had to switch. Now that I need customer service no one returns calls or emails and the phone reps can't do a thing. I thank Helio for setting the trend on unlimited calls but everyone else is doing it now as well. Pay a little more and get a LOT more in service.
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