Opera Software, the only company that puts the Web on any device, today released the Opera 9.5 SDK for Devices. The release will include a new beta visual effects layer that will give users an emotionally heightened Web experience with fluid transitions, panning, zooming and interactivity.

Opera 9.5 SDK will also include an improved evaluation kit that allow device manufacturers to quickly experience the potential of a product aimed to deliver the latest end-user experiences for Internet browsing, Web applications and Web-based user interfaces.

To kick off the new experience for 2008, Opera will be showcasing its wide range of browser technologies and offerings at the Sands Expo & Convention Center at CES in Las Vegas, January 7-10, in Room 70440. To book a meeting, please e-mail conference@opera.com.

Beta versions of a new visual effects layer and Opera Zoom will enable trendy, effect-rich usability, with fluid zooming, transitions and panning, to a full range of devices. To speed benchmarking, evaluation and time-to-market, today’s release also introduces a bundled Flash plug-in demo and set of standard Opera Widgets????, such as calendar, news reader and calculator. In addition Opera 9.5 SDK significantly improves Web page rendering performance over its predecessor, resulting in a speedier start-up and more enjoyable browsing experience.

“Opera 9.5 SDK sets a new direction towards an exciting, emotionally heightened user experience with focus on a hardware accelerated visual effects and interactivity. Our customers and the market have been asking for it, and we have delivered with this release,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software.