Norway-based Opera has released a native version of its most used Opera Mini browser. Native version means the new Opera Mini won’t require Java, which was a prerequisite for the browser to function properly.

Opera Mini 5 is compatible with WinMo 5 and 6-based handsets and brings the same advantages of the Java version like tabbed browsing, Opera Link Synchronization, Speed Dial and Opera Turbo for faster browsing and data compression.

WinMo 5 & 6 users can give it a try by pointing their phone’s browser to http://m.opera.com/mini/next or from PC here.

Press Release

Microsoft fulfilled its promise by bringing Windows Marketplace to devices running Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 OS. Windows Marketplace is similar to Apple’s App Store that tries to be a one-stop solution for all the Windows Mobile software needs. Users with devices running on aforementioned OSes can go to the links specified below to download the app, which will give you an access to roughly 90 percent compatible apps.

I tried on a Windows Mobile 6 device and as you can see from the screenshot, they’ve tried to make it finger-friendly with large icons and text. Unfortunately, I couldn’t buy or download any app because the app worked horrendously slow.

http://mp.windowsphone.com (to download directly on the phone)
Or click here if you want to download from PC.

[Via Windowsteamblog]