Opera Software, the Norwegian internet browser firm, on Sunday launched the Opera Max beta, a free and easy-to-use application, aimed at compressing data including video, text and images on mobile phones and tablets to help users save money on their subscriptions.
According to the company, Opera Max will help extend a user’s data plan life by up to 50 percent, especially if they use video and image-heavy apps. For example, if a user pays $40 a month for a 1GB data plan, Opera Max app can allow users to consume up to 1.5 GB per month for the same cost. For pre-paid data plan, pay per megabyte of use, or international roaming users, this app adds even more value, Opera claimed.
How Opera Max works?
Once a user downloads the app on the smartphone or tablet, the app immediately starts compressing and rerouting data via a VPN to the data-savings cloud.
All non-encrypted data requests are then sent through Opera’s compression servers, which optimise video, images and websites to use less data. The app also detects roaming and allows users to prevent apps from using data and restricting them to Wi-Fi only.
Users can also check their apps usage timeline that will show usage and savings by individual app as well as in total.
As “kings of compression,” we think Opera Max is the next step in the evolution of this technology, which will intelligently compress data across apps, not just your browser,” said Sergey Lossev, Head of Product, Opera Max.
“Try it out to see how much more you can get from your data plan.”
The free data compression app has been made available in a beta version to Android users in the US and Europe, who already pre-registered for it, starting today. The app will however be launched in other regions gradually, Opera said.
