Opera Mini 5.0 Review

Opera Mini 5.0 Review

RaT Rating = 93.39%

Opera Software has made great strides to accommodate newer Blackberry models with their new Opera Mini 5

A few improvements include, browser software is faster, easier to use for touchscreen users, intuitive interface, more complete menu style, and much more.

The first thing that I noticed when downloading this beta was it size, much smaller in comparison to pervious versions. The browser connected to the Internet with no problems or extra user configuration. The initial experience of this browser has been like night and day. The user defined visual bookmarks are a nice touch, to easily get you to your most common web pages.

The ability for the program to save your logins, again makes life easier for the end user. If you turn on the Password Manager from the Privacy settings menu, you do not have to type your logins every time you open your web pages. The web pages load faster since they compress the pages 90% before they get to your phone. When the web pages load, the browser automatically checks the format of the web site, if its mobile the browser optimizes the page for mobile viewing, if not the page loads full view (if you have not selected mobile view as default in the menu settings). There is also a Download Manager to review your downloads.

Depending on the mobile phone your using the default text size can be adjusted for better viewing. The default zoom level can also be set in the settings menu from 60 to 200%. Text search within web pages makes finding what your looking for simpler. Overall, I would say that this is a giant step in the right direction for Opera Software.

The file size of the browser is really not that large 622.6 Kb, compared to other similar apps. I have not seen much of any processor sluggishness, only a bit with multiple pages open. There are average memory consumption issues but are to be expected for the graphics that are displayed. The battery usage will go down faster and to be expected, but not extremely bad. The GUI has really come a long way, however it would be nice to have a variable zoom in and zoom out without changing the zoom percentage in the options.  I did see a few bugs with the screen not resizing correctly in portrait view but if you rotate to landscape and then back it clears up. It is definitely compatible with touchscreen Blackberries and I have not experienced much memory loss while running or when closed. This app definitely does what it claims and is very easy to navigate, even though it does not make good use of the BB button. The browser is quick to load and has a good amount of options to be found in the options menu (not the BB button). All in all this browser is a very good and a much nicer surfing experience on your BB.

Berry, My Hero Theme Review

Berry, My Hero

RaT Rating = 93.o3%

ZMan went all out with Berry, My Hero theme. This is the closest Blackberry theme that I have seen imitating the HTC Hero. This theme can be purchased from the CrackBerry Store for $5.00 and works on both OS 4.6 and 5.0. It is available for the Storm 1, Storm 2, Curve 8900, Tour 9630, Bold 9000, and Bold 9700. It has a huge analog clock on the home screen, hidden today with messages, compose, and calendar. From the home screen you have a quick access menu for sound profiles and manage connections along with a hidden menu with five (Curve 8900, Bold 9000, Bold 9700, Tour) or six (Storm 1 and 2) choices. Unfortunately, the hidden menu cannot be customized. The last thing available from the home screen is a hidden lock feature. When the lock is engaged you have the option to power down your device. The hidden lock is on available on the touch screen versions.

The theme is a big file to download at 1.7 MB. However all the functions that the theme offers and the amount of detail that ZMan put into making this theme you have to expect to give up some memory.

The theme runs very smooth with the exception of one thing. When I open the hidden menu on the home screen the menu doesn’t open smooth. When you close the menu it doesn’t close smooth either.

There is a small memory leak with the theme. A small memory leak is to be expected because all customs themes leak memory.

This theme does not affect the battery at all. To be absolutely honest it actually increased my battery time when using this theme.

The graphic user interface (GUI) is very nice with this theme. There is so much detail in every aspect of this theme. The icons that are used in the theme are customized to look like the HTC Hero.

I have not had one buggy experience with this theme, everything runs perfectly.

The Storm version of this theme runs perfect with the touch screen. Everything is very responsive when you touch different areas of the theme.

The theme is $5.00 which is kind of high but you get exactly what you pay.

The theme does what it claims it does. When you press the left side of the home screen on the storm version, the lock engages. When the screen is locked, you touch the right side of the screen and it unlocks the screen. When you touch the right side of the home screen you get the hidden today with messages, compose, and calendar. When the hidden today is up and you touch the left side of the screen it closes the hidden today. The quick access menus for your profiles and manage connections works perfectly.

The theme is very easy to navigate and if you’re not sure of some of the features ZMan posts videos to show everyone how the theme works.

The font fits the theme perfectly. The fonts are not too small so that you can barely see the words. The fonts are not too big so that you only see half the word in the dialogue boxes. The font follows the user font sizes.

There are plenty of extra functions such as the hidden lock and the hidden today. There is also a spot on the home screen for a weather application right underneath the big analog clock. All the icons on the home screen are user defined.

There are many WOW factors to this theme. Two wow factors that stand out the most to me are when you are making a connection, the connection arrows on the top right hand side of the screen customize to the color of the window you are currently in. The second wow factor is when you highlight the icon “manage connections” it moves the icon to “on” and when you do not have the manage connection highlighted it goes back to “off.”