Opera for Devices: Features

Support for the full Internet

Today's Internet pages are not written according to standards but using what is commonly referred to as Street HTML. Unlike any other device browser, Opera's desktop browser experience and regularly updated cross-platform core technology enable the full Internet on devices.

Any sized display

Opera's proprietary Extensible Rendering Architecture (ERA) re-formats Internet pages on the fly to suit any screen size, from two-inch LCDs, to giant 16:9 flat panel TVs. Horizontal scrolling is eliminated, and anti-flicker technology and TV-optimized fonts provide steady images on traditional CRT screens.

Any input device

Opera's spatial navigation capabilities make it easy to navigate on platforms that do not have a mouse and can be configured to work with a remote control, game pad or keyboard. Our integration with IBM ViaVoice™ enables users to interact with Opera using voice commands.

Web Applications and AJAX

Web applications are faster to market and cheaper to develop than native code. Most device applications can be developed using HTML, CSS, DOM, and JavaScript. Opera's JavaScript and rendering engines are the fastest on the market, enabling complex AJAX-based applications to run smoothly.

Internationalization

Opera supports Unicode and proprietary character encodings, and has full support for Bi-Directional scripts. Global deployments are powered using Input Method Editors (IME) and the integrated iType™ font engine.

Pre-ported to popular silicon

We continuously upgrade our product by adding pre-integrated support for new architectures. This significantly reduces time-to-market for new devices. Opera's platform independent code can easily be ported to new platforms by the experienced embedded engineering team at Opera Software. We have architecture builds for the following platforms:

• x86
• IBM PowerPC
• MIPS
• ARM
• Intel xScale
• Equator
• ST Micro

• Sigma Designs
• Freescale
• ATI
• AMD
• Texas Instruments
• NEC
• Toshiba
• SH4

Extensive APIs

The SDKs have powerful, well-documented, and developer-friendly APIs that allow easy customization of all of the main browser features. This enables developers to take full control of the look and feel of their implementation and integrate Opera with other device software.

Platform independent core

Opera's platform independent browser core is common to its desktop, mobile and device solutions. The Opera core is designed from the outset for devices with limited resources and can be quickly ported to new resources, operating systems and hardware.

Support for JavaScript Applications

Opera's native JavaScript extensions enable developers to create new JavaScript objects and methods that can be used to control the device. JavaScript can be used to change TV channels, adjust the volume, make a phone call or even playback a song.

Plug-in Support

The SDK fully implements the Netscape Plug-in API, which allows quick porting of Adobe Flash Player or custom plug-ins. Support for new content types can be added using Opera's APIs for plug-ins and extensions.

Highly customizable UI

Opera's SDKs include UI source code that developers can configure or develop further to make their device user interface. Opera provides well documented skinning files, handy examples and support for multiple GUI toolkits, enabling developers to implement a UI that fits the device design requirements.