Software maker Opera has announced that it would introduce Opera Mini browser purposely designed for the Apple iPad at approaching Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

A version of Opera Mini browser for iOS-based devices, such as the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, has been available since April last year, but now the iPad will receive special version of the browser.

Opera’s Company executive revealed that more than 1 million copies of Opera Software's new iPhone browser were downloaded on the first day of Opera Mini's availability.

According to a Thursday press release by Opera Software, its late Monday-approved server-assisted Opera Mini browser for the iPhone - the first alternative Web browser for Apple’s popular handset – capped more than one million downloads within the first 24 hours of its widespread availability.

With the Norway-based Opera Software firm announcing late Monday that its Opera Mini browser would hit the iPhone App Store, it was only being expected that other browser-makers will follow suit. No wonder then that another mobile browser maker, Skyfire, Tuesday announced its intentions of taking the “iDevices” route - comprising the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

Close on the heels of its last week beta release of Opera Mini 5 browser for Windows Mobile 5 and 6, Opera software Thursday launched the beta release of the Android version of the Mini 5, which reportedly feels similar to its Windows’ counterpart.