Opera touts touch-enabled browser for tablets

Norwegian browser maker Opera has followed up its success in the desktop and smartphone markets by announcing the first public preview of its touch-enabled browser application for tablets and netbooks.

Opera for Tablets will be shown off at this week's CES show in Las Vegas and is an acknowledgement of the growing user demand for such devices, the firm said.

Opera explained that the browser will offer a smooth user experience when checking email, managing social networking or just surfing.

"Tablets are a new must-have in 2011, and Opera is creating waves with the first public preview of Opera for Tablets," said Christen Krogh, chief development officer for Opera Software.

"Opera for Tablets brings the same trusted internet experience to tablets and netbook PCs as users have come to love on their mobile phones and desktops."

Opera has posted a short video on YouTube of the browser in action on an Android device, showing a user easily flicking through and zooming in on web pages.

The video explains that Opera for Tablets "brings smooth panning" to Android devices, suggesting perhaps that the clients used on current devices are somewhat lacking.

The new browser comes just weeks after the firm launched a major new version of its flagship desktop product, Opera 11.

The firm reduced the size of the software's installer by 30 per cent, introduced the ability to add extensions and added tab stacking to help users manage tabs in an easier, less cluttered way.