Opera to test Apple's resolve with iPhone browser
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By Barry Collins
Posted on 10 Feb 2010 at 09:15
Opera is launching a version of its Mini browser for the iPhone in what could prove a landmark decision for Apple's app gatekeepers.
The company will unveil Opera Mini for iPhone to journalists at next week's Mobile World Congress. Unlike Safari, the Mini browser compresses web pages on Opera's servers before sending them to the handset, both accelerating page load times and reducing the amount of data required.
However, any iPhone application needs to pass through Apple's approval process before it can be downloaded onto users' phones. Apple was initially hostile to the idea of third-party web browsers, with Mozilla claiming that Apple made it "too hard" for its rivals to develop a browser for the iPhone.
Apple's stance seems to have softened in recent months, with a smattering of minor rival browsers appearing in the App Store. But Opera will be the first of the well-known browser makers to make it over the Apple drawbridge if it is successful.
Opera remains bullishly confident that it's app will be approved. "We have not submitted Opera Mini to the Apple App store," an Opera spokesperson told PC Pro. "However, we hope that Apple will not deny their users a choice in web browsing experience."
When asked if the company had received any indication from Apple that Opera Mini would be accepted, the spokesman said: "We see no reason why it should not be."
Opera is, of course, not afraid to take its case to higher authorities if it feels it's been treated unfairly. It was Opera's complaint to the EU that saw Microsoft fined and forced to offer rival browsers with Windows last year.
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Good Luck
If Apple opposes the move, hopefully Opera will succeed in taking it to court. And if Opera wins in court will Apple then try to ban Opera in the USA?
By nicomo on 10 Feb 2010 
I guess that it will fail on several points:
1. It duplicates existing iPhone functionality.
2. It "contains" inappropriate content, such as porn.
It will either be rejected out of hand, or, like some other apps, will take a year or two to go through the approval process...
By big_D on 10 Feb 2010
multiple apps
just a thought. Iphone stuff like most things is not my forte but if Opera does succeed will it not be slowed down by the fact that only proprietary apps (itunes, safari) can run concurrently? and if i want to surf the web and listen to my tunes it would have to be safari.
But I'm sure there's an app for that!!!
By SimonCorlett on 10 Feb 2010
Perhaps MS will be able to assist Apple with the development of a browser ballot screen app!? (takes tongue out of cheek).
By rjp2000 on 10 Feb 2010
What about Chrome?
If Opera is allowed I can not wait to see if Google try and pop chrome over to the iPhone.
Will Opera address the lack of flash support?
By OxfordRob on 10 Feb 2010
One more thing
The other thing that is currently a pain is the lack of good bluetooth support. The GPS in the iPhone is not that great yet apple have killed off letting you use something like an external GPS receiver. Tom Tom only manage it via the cradle and some techy extras.
By OxfordRob on 10 Feb 2010
Not afraid?
"Opera is, of course, not afraid to take its case to higher authorities if it feels it's been treated unfairly."
This is clearly nonsense.
Opera only reported Microsoft to the authorities after many years of trying all other methods of making Microsoft stop messing up the market.
And Mozilla and Google joined the case.
By PrtScr on 10 Feb 2010
Pardon?
"'Opera is, of course, not afraid to take its case to higher authorities if it feels it's been treated unfairly.'
"This is clearly nonsense."
Err. If that first statement was nonsense then it must have been incorrect. In what way? Opera was afraid? Opera didn't take the case to higher authorities? Opera felt it had been treated fairly?
Sorry - seems to me that quoted statement was true in all respects.
By AdrianB on 10 Feb 2010
Pardon?
"'Opera is, of course, not afraid to take its case to higher authorities if it feels it's been treated unfairly.'
"This is clearly nonsense."
Err. If that first statement was nonsense then it must have been incorrect. In what way? Opera was afraid? Opera didn't take the case to higher authorities? Opera felt it had been treated fairly?
Sorry - seems to me that quoted statement was true in all respects.
By AdrianB on 10 Feb 2010
Re: multiple apps
Simon Said "if i want to surf the web and listen to my tunes it would have to be safari."
This is wrong. The iPod app's music streaming runs in a background process and can therefore work concurrently with any third party app.
Common criticism by people that don't actually know anything about the iPhone, but feel able to stick their miss-understanding into the pot anyway.
By Henry_3_Dogg on 11 Feb 2010
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