Opera To Release WebKit-Based Web Browser

Next month Opera will be rolling out "Opera Ice", a new web-browser for smart-phones and tablets. This mobile Opera browser won't be built on their Presto engine but rather the popular WebKit engine. Initially this WebKit-browser is just targeting the mobile space but it's expected to eventually land on the desktop too.

Opera Ice is deploying WebKit so its developers can focus upon coming up with an innovative user-interface and other rich design elements. It's expected Opera Ice will be released for Google Android and Apple iOS in February. Opera is expected to maintain their current "Opera Mini" mobile browser for at least a while longer.

In March, Opera will roll out a new desktop browser. It's not been explicitly stated whether or not this new Opera web-browser will also be powered by WebKit rather than their in-house Presto engine, but based upon hints from my Akvavit-drinking Lutefisk-eating friends, it sounds like WebKit will be used here too so the Norwegian company can focus upon the higher-level elements that are more likely to attract new users.

Embedded below is a video that came out this week about Opera Ice.