How to run Opera Mini in Ubuntu

By , Published July 27, 2010

Ever wanted to see whether the fuss over Opera Mini – oft lauded as one of the best mobile web browsers – stacks up? Maybe you just want to see how your mobile site will displays to users on smaller screens.

Here’s how to take the ickle-browser for a spin without the need to go anywhere near a mobile phone…

Step one

This guide requires that you have the Java runtime environment installed.

Download the microemu @ microemu/downloads. This is pure java implementation of the Java Platform Micro Edition (Java ME).

Extract the folder, enter the folder. then right click on the ‘microemulator.jar‘ file inside to give it permission to execute. You’ll also want to ensure that it will open with Java, so set Java as the default application to open .jar files.

Step two

Next up you’ll want to grab Opera Mini. Head over to operamini.com, select the version you wish to try and download both the .jar and .jad files, placing them somewhere memorable.

Step three

Now lets load OperaMini 5.1.

  1. Open up the emulator by double-clicking on it. You can resize the emulator to any size you wish, just extend as you would any other window.
  2. Click through to “File > Open MIDlet” choosing the Opera Mini .jad (yes, .jad not .jar) file you previously downloaded.
  3. “Opera Mini” will now be listed in the apps list. Click on the “Start” button to launch it
If you so wish you can easily create a menu launcher to the emulator. Likewise you can easily install plenty more Java-based mobile applications, games and utilities – getjar.com is a great place to poke around.

Related posts:

  1. How to disable the Opera tray icon
  2. New Opera 10.50 Alpha Released For Linux
  3. Opera 10 Adapts Flawlessy Into Gnome Desktop – Goodbye Ugly Opera!
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  • https://launchpad.net/~boniboyblue Boni Boy Blue

    It’s actually quite nice to see the difference from the standard mobile version of Opera Mini compared to the Blackberry version I use.

  • Lexitius

    why use a opera mini in mi desk…. this dont make sense

    • http://omgubuntu.co.uk/ d0od

      “Maybe you just want to see how your mobile site will display to users on smaller screens.”

    • dRewsus

      I suppose reading the article would make it make sense to you.

    • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/DGDZSHAK6CELD5RALLKTJ62VM4 abhi

      some people have extremely slow connections, and operamini on desktop resolution runs extremely fast and renders page like aa desktop browser. that was the only reason i used to run operamini on my desktop

    • Anonymous

      tl;dr?

      –’

    • Anonymous

      On my Asus 701 with 7inch screen, I can see the benefits

  • YourName

    I have switched to Opera Mini in my HTC Hero. Much faster and works so much better than the built-in one.

    On the desktop though, I prefer Firefox. But im glad there is so much choice so everyone can use whatever they want.

  • http://twitter.com/Kvascola Олегыч

    I used this method before, but since Opera released native Opera Mobile for Win, Mac and Linux, I don’t need Java-version of Opera Mini on my computer.

    Actually, mobile version is preferable. More info and downloads links here: http://labs.opera.com/news/2010/04/22/

  • http://twitter.com/Grant_Sewell_IT Grant Sewell

    This is awesome! Another great tool to ensure your website is viewable by all sorts.

  • daas88

    Opera mini rocks! I use it on my (pretty humble) sony ericsson w205a, and it works like a charm! much better than the default browser!

 
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