Perhaps the most popular mobile browser out there, and the little brother of the desktop version, Opera Mini sure has made an impact. Release after release, Opera Mini remains unthreatened by the outside world. The only real threat is being bullied by its older brother, Opera Mobile available for smart phones.

Today Opera Software released the first beta of Opera Mini 4.2. As the version number indicates this isn't a major release, but it contains new innovative features not found in other mobile browsers, while Mini is only a Java based application.

One of the new features is one we already know and love on the desktop: skins. Now it's possible to skin your favorite mobile browser and suit your mobile theme more. For North American users there is also good news as 4.2 uses the new NA servers which should speed up page loading significantly, while giving Europeans more space. 4.2 should also enable users of the latest Nokia or Sony Ericsson phones to watch video from the mobile version of YouTube. Last but not least, you can now sync notes using Opera Link in Mini and Desktop.

You can grab the beta from Opera Mini's site, follow the instructions that are written there, and you'll be off in a breeze.