Back in July, we reported that Opera Software is partnering with KongZhong Corporation to push its mobile browser through the Chinese mobile content provider. At that time, the agreement involved distribution of Opera 3-based KongZhong Opera browser. Now, the Chinese company agreed to start promoting Opera’s latest Java-based browser, Opera Mini, as KongZhong Opera 2.0. Just like the original Opera Mini 4, the KongZhong’s version can show full web pages optimized to be viewed on a mobile screen. In addition, the browser remains bandwidth-friendly and includes such goodies as RSS support and browsing in the landscape mode. Kong.net remain the homepage of KongZhong Opera 2.0, though… Full release after the jump. PRESS RELEASE - Opera, the only company that can put the Web on any device, today continued its partnership with KongZhong Corporation (Nasdaq: KONG), one of China’s leading wireless content and media providers, by releasing the newest version of their combined mobile browser offering, “KongZhong Opera”. The new KongZhong Opera 2.0, based on Opera Mini 4, offers users an unparalleled mobile browsing experience, while allowing them fast and convenient access to their favorite KongZhong content, including the official NBA Chinese Website. KongZhong Opera 2.0 is available absolutely free to millions of Chinese mobile users. By supporting cmnet and cmwap, KongZhong Opera 2.0 enables Chinese mobile users to order China Mobile’s attractive GPRS monthly package and enjoy unlimited Web/WAP surfing. “Kong.net is a leading mobile portal in China” said Nick Yang, President, Kongzhong, “By cooperating with Opera, we will not only cultivate the Chinese mobile internet market together with Opera, expand the market’s influence and penetration, but also further consolidate our market positions.” “Our goal was to enter a dynamic economy like China’s with a strong partner,” said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera. “We accomplished this with our first release of KongZhong Opera. Now we are pleased to give KongZhong users an even better experience. We look forward to more collaboration with the strong team at KongZhong.” ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Opera Mini celebrates its first birthdayOpera Mini 4 goes gold!Opera Mini 3.0 Beta announcedOpera Mini vs iPhone adOpera Mini 3.0 released

We at IntoMobile love Opera Software’s Java ME based browser - Opera Mini. It’s quick, data efficient, memory friendly and provides users with the full web experience on virtually any phone. So we were not surprised to see the popular site for mobile applications GetJar awarding the Java browser with the “Mobile Application of the Year” title. According to them, Opera Mini constantly gets high user ratings and was downloaded for more than 4 million times, making it the single most downloaded application on GetJar this year. Don’t have Opera Mini on your phone? What are you waiting for. Grab it from here , or read GetJar’s full release after the jump. PRESS RELEASE - GetJar (www.getjar.com/wap.getjar.com), the world’s most popular mobile application distribution and developer community, has awarded its annual ‘Mobile Application of the Year Award’ to the Opera Mini Web browser. The award comes as a result of consistently high user ratings and feedback, together with the immense popularity of the product, which is the most downloaded application from GetJar in 2007. In addition, GetJar has also presented awards to ‘RDM+’ for Best Enterprise Application, to ‘Vikrant Chavan’s Dictionary’ for Best Consumer Application, and to ‘Army Vs Crime’ for Best Game. GetJar also recognised ‘Nav4all’ with an award for Up and Coming product. GetJar offers the broadest range of applications to mobile users around the world, averaging over 8 million downloads per month and over 100 million in total in the last two years alone. It brings developers and users together by offering a community where developers can beta-test their products for free, and where consumers can access the latest and best Java, Symbian, Windows Mobile and Palm applications in return for their feedback. GetJar’s Product of the Year, Opera Mini, is a fast and tiny Web browser that allows users to access the full Internet on their phone, and has been downloaded from GetJar over 3.3 million times. It uses Opera’s Small Screen Rendering™ technology to provide access to the Web, and has all the features expected of a browser, such as content download, skinning, bookmarks, browsing history and strong security issues so users can email, shop and bank with confidence. “This is incredibly valuable recognition for Opera, from what is the biggest and most influential mobile application user community in the world. Opera Mini is a big hit with these people and their support is crucial for us tackling the larger group of mass consumers,” explained Tatsuki Tomita, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products at Opera. “The insight of GetJar users has assisted us in shaping the product so it better meets their needs. It has also allowed us to develop a product that runs well on all the world’s 800+ million Java-enabled phones.” Ilja Laurs, Founder and CEO of GetJar commented, “Opera Mini has consistently been the most popular and widely adopted application we offer to our community, and is a worthy winner of Product of the Year. But all our winners have proved extremely popular among their users this year and we’re sure that success will continue into 2008.” ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Opera Mini celebrates its first birthdayNew beta for Opera Mini 4 coming tomorrow!Opera Mini vs iPhone adOpera Mini 4 goes gold!Opera Mini 3.0 Beta announced

If you happen to own a Windows Mobile based smartphone or a PDA, you’ve probably tried using Pocket Internet Explorer. Furthermore, you’re certainly aware just how slow Microsoft’s mobile browser can be. Why not try out the new Opera Mini ? Yes, it’s a Java-based app, but it works just like the iPhone’s Safari, plus it’s free! What follows is the short video demonstration from the folks over at PocketNow.com , who have tested and compared Pocket Internet Explorer and Opera Mini. Guess who won? ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Opera Mobile 8.65 for Windows Mobile Smartphone and Pocket PC editions releasedOpera Mini celebrates its first birthdayOpera Mini 3.0 releasedOpera Mini 4 goes gold!Browse network-shared Windows files with Pocket Internet Explorer