Downloader: NetFront, Opera web browsers for Google Android on the way

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

NetFront, Opera web browsers for Google Android on the way

Mozilla isn't the only company itching to port its web browser to run on Google's Android operating system. Google announced recently that 60,000 handsets a day are now shipping with Android, and it seems like every day a device maker announces a new Android-based product. So while the WebKit-based browser that comes with Android is decent, it's good to see mobile browser makers looking to give Google a little competition in the browser space.

The latest companies that want in on the action are Opera, and ACESS, makers of the NetFront web browser which is currently available for Windows Mobile. NetFront supports HTML5 and other web standards and has a zippy JavaScript Engine.

There's no word on a release date yet or price yet. There are also no screenshots available yet, but you can check out a video from WMPowerUser after the break, that hows NetFront 4.0 for Windows Mobile and compares it with Opera Mobile 9.7 for Windows Mobile.

Opera Mobile 10 for the iPhone and Google Android is under development. Laptop Magazine got a chance to check out Opera Mobile 10 Beta earlier this week, and came away quite impressed. The browser has a speed-dial homescreen with shortcuts to your favorites, and a simple no-frills user interface with plenty of room for the web site.

[via BrightHand]