Opera offers new feature for free access to mobile Web apps

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Norway's Opera (OPERA.OL), whose browser software has helped mobile operators sign up millions of users for free or low-cost Internet access, said on Tuesday it is introducing features that lets operators offer subscribers free access to selected apps. Opera, maker of a Web browser that is popular among mobile phone users in developing markets, said its new Opera Max with Web Pass feature will soon also allow advertisers to offer phone users sponsored or paid passes for using mobile Web apps. In addition, many of the top handset makers in emerging markets have agreed to pre-load the Opera Max free data feature on their latest phone models, Opera said. These include Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), Micromax (IPO-MINF.NS), Mobistel, Evercoss, and Tecno, it said.