Opera plans to unveil a new version of its SDK today that will allow Opera’s partners to create a more uniform browsing experience across multiple devices and platforms. The new version of the Opera Devices SDK now gives developers access to Opera Link, the company’s bookmark synchronization service. Once device manufacturers start integrating this, users will be able to easily access their Opera bookmarks from their mobile phone, desktop, or Wii.
Opera’s Devices SDK allows hardware manufacturers to build browsers for their hardware devices like TVs, media players, cell phones, or gaming consoles.
This synchronization feature was already part of Opera’s desktop browser, but version 9.7 of the SDK will also give developers the ability to integrate it into their own devices. According to Opera’s CEO, Jon von Tetzchner, Opera wants to give operators the ability to create a unified experience across their triple-play offerings and on phones, computers, TVs (or entertainment devices like the Wii).
Opera Zoon
The new version of the SDK also includes Opera’s new hardware-accelerated zooming capability for devices with small screens. While not as elegant or intuitive as Apple’s multi-touch gestures, Opera Zoom, which saw its debut on the Nintendo Wii, does work quite well.
Syncing Bookmarks as Competitive Advantage
Opera already syncs its bookmarks with the online version of Opera Link, but it would be great if Opera also allowed you to sync with other online bookmarking services like Yahoo’s delicious. Other devices like the iPhone also allow users to sync bookmarks between the desktop and mobile phones.
Now that web browsing is slowly becoming a standard activity on mobile devices, being able to keep bookmarks in sync is clearly starting to become more important. Opera is in a good position to leverage its experience in cross-platform development here, though Mozilla and other browser developers are also working on similar projects.
