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Opera to integrate VoIP into desktop and mobile browsers

14 Comments
 Published April 5th, 2006 2:41 PM EDT By Daniel Goldman

Opera will add Skype-like phone support to both the desktop and mobile browsers.

Opera today announced a partnership with JAJAH, which introduced global VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephony between normal landline and mobile phones – without software download, installation process and headsets. Opera will integrate JAJAH`s web-activated telephony service with the Opera Mobile and Opera Mini Web browsers, as well as the upcoming Opera 9 desktop browser.

Expected to be available in about 4-6 months, the new VoIP support will enable Opera desktop and mobile phone users to make phone calls through the Internet.

Back in January when there was talk about Opera possibly entering the VoIP market, an Opera official told me that Opera has no plans to compete directly against Skype, but wouldn’t elaborate further.

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  1. 1 Jeff Schiller Apr 5th, 2006 at 3:21 pm

    So this pushes out the release of Opera 9 even further? I think they should stop adding new features and just work on getting everything currently in the weekly builds of O9 stable and ship it.

  2. 2 Anonymous Apr 5th, 2006 at 3:49 pm

    Might be a coincidence, but the company that Opera wanted to buy has also recently added VoIP support:
    http://www.gtalk2voip.com/

  3. 3 Anonymous Apr 5th, 2006 at 3:59 pm

    OK, Opera didn’t want to buy Google, and Google doesn’t make gtalk2voip.

    Hope my news is still worth something :)

  4. 4 Anonymous Apr 5th, 2006 at 4:55 pm

    “So this pushes out the release of Opera 9 even further?”

    Says who?

  5. 5 Jeff Schiller Apr 5th, 2006 at 5:04 pm

    Says “my expectations” that’s all. I thought Preview #2 meant we were within a couple months of a beta on Opera 9. But if this VoIP thing is going to ship with the browser, that means a conservative 6 months before we see a feature-complete beta, which is one year after the first preview came out.

    It’s just a long wait, that’s all…

  6. 6 Daniel Goldman Apr 5th, 2006 at 5:06 pm

    Jeff, actually Opera is preparing for a beta release of Opera 9 right now.

  7. 7 Anonymous Apr 5th, 2006 at 5:36 pm

    So, who says that the VoIP thing hasn’t already been arranged?

    This thing was reported on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Leaking info about it before the annoucement would be really bad for the company.

    You are assuming too much, Jeff.

  8. 8 Jyvyn Apr 5th, 2006 at 7:37 pm

    Sounds like Opera’s going to need huge PR when they release O9. Otherwise, I’d think it’d just make more sense to have users look forward to an O9.5 and save VoIP for the future. Then again, if they manage to weave VoIP into O9 final without delaying it’s schedule, I’m fine with that.

  9. 9 chaimav Apr 5th, 2006 at 9:15 pm

    If I understand the technology correctlly, it doesn’t seem like it would take very much to integrate it. It seems all Jajah needs is 2 phone #’s then it calls both loacaly and connects them. Opera just needs field to enter the info. They could do the whole thing via a widget.

    Or am I missing something?

  10. 10 Philip "pips" Seyfi Apr 6th, 2006 at 1:35 pm

    It doesnt push the release of Opera 9 – Opera 9 Release Candidate (Beta) will be available already this weekend… ;)

  11. 11 Philip "pips" Seyfi Apr 6th, 2006 at 1:35 pm

    This post has been removed by the author.

  12. 12 Anonymous Apr 7th, 2006 at 5:42 am

    VoIP in a web browser? Is this a late April Fools joke?

  13. 13 Anonymous Apr 7th, 2006 at 9:02 pm

    Well it says in the press release that it’s being added as a widget, so i don’t think it’ll delay opera 9 release at all.

  14. 14 Anonymous Apr 17th, 2006 at 6:13 am

    So will this be like opera to opera chat or opera- to- landline? And for landline will there be any charges? like skypeout?

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Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.

Q: Is Opera free?
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Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.

Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.

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A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.

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A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.

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A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.

Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com