(SYS-CON Media) - Opera Software announced availability of the AJAX-based Opera WebUI (Web user interface) for the Opera 9 SDK for Devices. Opera continues its history of innovation by launching a Web browser user interface for devices that runs on the browser itself. Device OEMs and network operators can now radically reduce development costs and time-to-market by using the Opera WebUI for their device browser instead of the typical native user interface.

Opera WebUI is a user interface for the Opera Web browser that is entirely created using standard Web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and DOM. Since the navigation buttons, menus and window frame of the Opera WebUI for Devices are all Web technology based, they can be quickly customized, skinned or updated over the network. The reference Opera WebUI provided with the SDK is designed to provide end users with a simple, user friendly browsing experience that can be adapted to suit different device types.

The Opera WebUI is an excellent fit for set-top boxes, net TVs, DVRs, portable media players and VoIP screen phones that offer Internet access. With the Opera 9 SDK for devices, all aspects of the WebUI can be easily customized and integrated with the Opera rendering modes and capabilities of the input mechanisms available. Remote controls, touch screens, keypads and keyboards can all be quickly mapped to Opera.

"With the introduction of the Opera WebUI, we are making the Opera browser a Web application running on itself," said Scott Hedrick, Executive Vice President Devices, Opera Software. "Opera WebUI enables OEMs and operators to more rapidly ship premium, customized browsing experiences."