BlackBerry Forums Support Community

MrTelephoneMan13 · 03-25-2008, 11:18 AM

Is anyone using Opera Mini on the BB? If so, what's your opinion of it. Lookin for some feedback before deciding to download to BB.

JSanders · 03-25-2008, 11:23 AM

I have used it, I didn't like it because (to me) it felt quite clunky and hard to use. You cannot download from OM, as it must bring up the bb browser.

However, lots of people love it... many of those without a BB data plan who cannot use the normal browser.

Try it and see for yourself, no harm done.

MelleyMan · 03-25-2008, 12:51 PM

I have OM.
I just downloaded it last week. I'm still undecided, leaning toward dumping it.
I have kept the BB browser just in case.

IMO, It isn't as intuitive as I would like or had expected.
Can't import bookmarks from BB Browser which is kind of a pain in the neck, and as previously mentioned, you have to download with the BB Browser. Also, every time you try to to access a site, you get asked if you want Opera Mini to access it (for security reasons).

I think the big thing it has going for it is it's navigational ability you can use 2, 4, 6, & 8. to scroll through pages (a little handier than the track ball at times) and you get a preview of the page as a whole before you zoom in to a spot of your choosing. I have a pearl so this isn't any big deal as you can't really see the content. Also, there is the option of browsing "landscape" by using a key combination. However, i can't get it to work, and I think it is a bug with the BB's.

There's my 2¢...

MrTelephoneMan13 · 03-25-2008, 01:05 PM

thanks to the 2 of you for the insight. i guess if its nothing that will make life any easier than there's no need to mess with it. especially, with me having the pearl like you do MelleyMan.

MelleyMan · 03-25-2008, 01:29 PM

Glad to help.

Others might have a different opinion. Best to download and try yourself. No harm no foul if you don't like it...

SteveO86 · 03-25-2008, 05:33 PM

OM just gives a bit more of desktop type feel compared the default BlackBerry browser (until you get use to it that is.) I've got OM 4 and the accesses of the low-network prompt is kind of annoying (althought that only started after I upgraded to 4.2.2.176)

You can sync you bookmarks up from the Opera desktop client.

I use both the BlackBerry and OM browser. Depends what I need to do.

Try out for a little while its free and you can always uninstall it.

gameboy213 · 03-25-2008, 05:44 PM

i actually love it... I use the BB Browser most of the time, but for any site that I need to see fully, OM is killer.... and once you learn the shortcuts to scroll around the page it's great.

JSanders · 03-25-2008, 05:47 PM

the new browser in the 4.5 will give you cleaner similar look, as you see in OM. I think it will be good revision of the browser for those who don't care for OM.

bullonwall · 02-06-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSanders

the new browser in the 4.5 will give you cleaner similar look, as you see in OM. I think it will be good revision of the browser for those who don't care for OM.

Do any of you know of any way to uninstall the default browser? It is greyed out in loader.exe

It seems to be pretty big (3mb I think), whereas OM is 190k.

SteveO86 · 02-06-2009, 07:06 PM

I don't think you can... If you get rid of the BB Browser you lose alot of funtionaility like installing apps OTA.

I suppose could try removing any browser CODs but that will be at your own risk..

tbhuang2 · 02-06-2009, 09:52 PM

Opera's TCP connection is always faster than BB's BIS-B connection. Also, page rendering is better to boot. To me, it's clear who the winner is.

SteveO86 · 02-06-2009, 11:17 PM

Just keep in mind Opera Mini is not as secure as the Default BB Browser.

Both browser have their good points and bad points, it is user preference, surfing WAP sites like this site is considerably faster then waiting for OM to load ever page.

Depends on the the user needs and preference.

jbs-horn · 02-08-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveO86

Just keep in mind Opera Mini is not as secure as the Default BB Browser.

Both browser have their good points and bad points, it is user preference, surfing WAP sites like this site is considerably faster then waiting for OM to load ever page.

Depends on the the user needs and preference.

In what way is OM less secure than the standard browser?

revolutiongto · 02-08-2009, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbs-horn

In what way is OM less secure than the standard browser?

When using older versions of OM there is no encryption between your blackberry and the Opera Mini servers.

When using the advanced version of Opera Mini 3 and higher though everything is secure.

See here and here.

Though either way there is no end to end security seeing as all info must be bounced from operas transcoding servers.

SteveO86 · 02-08-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbs-horn

In what way is OM less secure than the standard browser?

All information going threw OM goes threw a proxy..

So your request go from your BlackBerry to OM's proxy server where it gets the requested website, then it decrypts it and formats then send it to your BlackBerry.

So the proxy server is negating any real SSL security. (ie, anything https)

so as far as banking etc I would stick with the BB Browser, if your bank has a mobile friendly web page.

The links revolutiongto pointed are great! (I still don't trust it... but I am paranoid, I know my BB Browser is secure and bank logins are secured, while the links state all OM traffic is secure it does specify what type of security is used or what happens to that security, ie. whether or not the security is compromised to make it load faster on your BB).

Does anyone know what they mean by "OM 3 Basic" and "OM 3 Advanced"??

I take it back after reading the second link it does specify..

---Below extract from OM's website---
"The communication is protected by 256 bit RC4 and the key exchange is done by 1280 bit RSA. All hashes are created using SHA-256. These are the algorithms used by most SSL sites today."
---End extract from OM's website---

Just note OM is relying alot on the public carrier network, while everything in BIS in encrypted.

Looks like OM does have security in place but given the choice I will choose RIM's Security over OMs, just my personal preference. I am just curious what OM does to the native encryption of the Bank website to make it load faster on your hand held.

(Note: Sorry for the rant or confusing post, I was posting my thoughts as I was reading the links posted above.)

piester · 02-08-2009, 08:05 PM

Wirelessly posted

I use the bb browser. OM. And the new bolt beta browser. The bb browser I use mostly for getting on this as well as many other wap sites and forums. OM I use for sites that don't reallt work good on the bb browser. But I don't really like how it doesn't have a mouse pointer. And bolt I have been playing around with and its not too bad for a beta. I'd say download bolt and OM and try them out. Whatever you like most keep. We can tell you anything and everything about them but without real hands on time it will mean nothing