Finally, the first public beta of Opera Mobile 9.5 has been released by Opera Software. A forerunner of what's to come, Opera Mobile 9.5, claims Opera Software, takes mobile browsing to a new level -- complete with visual effects and a spanking new look.

Of all the releases so far, this one is marked by a change in the face of the mobile browser; like the latest version Opera Mini, the latest Opera Mobile (beta) defaults to page overview mode, allowing users view the entire Web page and recognize instantly the Web site. Panning and zooming options let them focus on specific page content. And to complete the picture, there's a sleek new user interface (UI) for easier navigation.

Developer needs are at the heart of the beta release; for instance with this release, Opera Dragonfly goes cross-platform; it now allows developers debug JavaScript, inspect Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) plus the Document Object Model (DOM) and view errors if any -- thus making development for the mobile platform even easier.

Jon von Tetzchner, chief executive officer of Opera Software said, "Our fans have been eager for the release of Opera Mobile 9.5 since it first appeared at the Mobile World Congress this year. We are now answering the call of the people, and delivering what we proudly proclaim to be our best Opera Mobile browser to date. It is a totally new user experience."

Opera Mobile 9.5 Beta promises the following: