Opera Mobile 9.5 now introduces Opera Widgets to the mobile Internet experience, enabling one-click Web content access. This release marks the second Opera Mobile 9.5 beta for Windows Mobile and the first-ever beta for UIQ-based phones. A developer version of S60 Widget manager is also available within the Opera Widgets SDK. Several Opera Widgets are now pre-installed in the Opera Mobile 9.5 beta builds. Additionally, Opera offers downloadable widgets at widgets.opera.com.

“Opera has built its second Opera Mobile 9.5 beta based on user-generated feedback following its first public release earlier this year,” said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “In addition to Opera Widgets, this new test version promises to be a smoother ride than the previous version, as we have improved page loading times and increased our focus on end-user productivity.”

Opera is launching the updated SDK with a developer competition called the “X Widget Challenge”. Opera is offering $10,000 in cash prizes for the best cross-device widget submissions. Read more about the competition from my.opera.com/widgets.

Coming to an event near you Check out Opera Mobile 9.5 with Opera Widgets in Europe, North America and Asia at the following events:

• Smartphone Show in London on October 21-22, 2008
• Mobile Internet World in Boston on October 22-23, 2008
• Web Applications Conference in Seoul on October 23, 2008

Opera Mobile 9.5 beta with Opera Widgets is ready and waiting for download from http://www.opera.com/products/mobile