Android expands with new internet browser

Bit of Android, drizzle of Opera, lovely.
Bit of Android, drizzle of Opera, lovely.

Getting down on its bad self, Opera has released version 4.2 of its internet browser, and crucially (within reason) it's compatible with Android too.

While there was never any doubt that the major players in the mobile industry were going to take note of Google's new OS, this is the first third party internet browser for the G1 handset (and others in the future).

G1 owners can download the browser immediately, and Opera says it offers "a faster and less costly way to browse the full Internet."

Skins

As usual, it's the usual ultra-fast fare from Opera, offering a wider variety of language options, as well as the all-important skins option, so users can personalise their mobile international web experience.

We're looking for a ninja theme Opera, as that's the one we've chosen for Google Mail and we love it.

"Our support of the Android platform helps fulfill our mission to be available on more platforms, for more devices and reach more users, anywhere in the world," says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software.

The only losers here are those that love both the iPhone and Opera... despite the latter saying it wants to come out with a version for Apple's device, Jobs' lot seems more interested in keeping the spotlight on Safari for now.

Gareth Beavis
Formerly Global Editor in Chief

Gareth has been part of the consumer technology world in a career spanning three decades. He started life as a staff writer on the fledgling TechRadar, and has grown with the site (primarily as phones, tablets and wearables editor) until becoming Global Editor in Chief in 2018. Gareth has written over 4,000 articles for TechRadar, has contributed expert insight to a number of other publications, chaired panels on zeitgeist technologies, presented at the Gadget Show Live as well as representing the brand on TV and radio for multiple channels including Sky, BBC, ITV and Al-Jazeera. Passionate about fitness, he can bore anyone rigid about stress management, sleep tracking, heart rate variance as well as bemoaning something about the latest iPhone, Galaxy or OLED TV.