The addition of the Opera browser to Psion machines means that Britain's most successful manufacturer of handheld computers can offer secure online m-commerce transactions and full Web content. With 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and Transport Layer Security, Opera opens the door to online banking and other secure applications for mobile users.

David Levin, Psion's chief executive officer, said the move took Psion one step closer to putting the Internet in people's pockets.

"This agreement will allow companies to extend the reach of their traditional enterprise systems and empower the ever increasing number of employees who need to access securely their corporate network while on the move," said Levin.

Claes Bergstedt, Psion's commercial director, said the Opera browser is lean, fast, easy to use. Its presence on Psion machines would lead to increased uptake of the netBook and Series7 machines, he said.

Opera will become an integral part of the Series7 and netBook range. It will also be offered as an optional purchase to existing Series5mx users.

Against the odds, Opera Software has carved out a significant niche in the browser market in the face of intense competition from Microsoft and AOL. Its browser has not only kept pace with development but also offers features to users -- such as incremental magnification of Web pages -- that are not available elsewhere.