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Following a brief European beta-test period, Opera Software today released the most far reaching mobile edition of its wireless browser yet, Opera Mini. This Coloratura Soprano browser runs on most low- to mid-range Java handsets and is free via a WAP download. The new browser is also available to operators, handset manufacturers and others interested in self-branding the application.

Opera Mini compresses Web pages by up to 80 percent and reformats them to fit inside a phone's display width, eliminating the need for horizontal scrolling; content and functionality intact.

This should mean faster browsing and lower bills for those who pay for data by the kilobyte. A Google search box (see top image) is Opera Mini's start page and bookmarks let you save favorite sites.

There are two versions of Opera Mini, one for basic (see left image below) and another for more advanced (right) phones.

The advanced version uses more advanced text and image compression algorithms, which reduces waiting time and the amount of data transferred. It also offers more features, such as page icons, more font options, better-looking menus, smooth scrolling and a built-in clock. Large pages are automatically divided into several partial pages with the basic version; because these handsets don't offer the memory capacity of more advanced feature phones.

Opera Mini is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Russian, Polish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, and Finnish, with more languages to follow.