From The New York Times BITS blog,
Mr. von Tetzchner said that Opera’s engineers have developed a version of Opera Mini that can run on an Apple iPhone, but Apple won’t let the company release it because it competes with Apple’s own Safari browser.
There is a hot discussion going on about this in OSNews site.
[via Choose Opera]
If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to my RSS Feed.Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.
Subscribe to Opera Watch, and stay in touch with the latest Opera browser buzz.
Daniel Goldman: daniel@operawatch.com.
Note: I encourage you to copy and translate my blog posts to your non-English blog. Do you have an Opera blog (with more than 90% of the content Opera-related)? Let me know and I'll add it to the list above.
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?
A: Absolutely free.
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.
Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
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.
Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
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.
Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
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
using
It’s because of stuff like this that I don’t buy (and won’t buy) anything from Apple, no matter how shiny it is…
Let me tell you they won’t get a penny from me.
Unfortunately the list of companies that I will never buy anything from gets larger: Apple, Sony,…
How does the people put up with this stuff? And pay too to be screwed!
using
How could the Opera Mini run on the iPhone, there’s no Java VM on it. Did they write a native Opera Mini app to the iPhone?
using
What do Apple get from blocking Opera anyway, except bad publicity.
using
It’s a clear message from apple: Our browser sucks big time, if we let our customers use alternative we will lose them. Apple is just scared. sesese
using
Alexander, I think me and you are the only people who don’t own anything Apple (I do own Sony though). It’s pretty obvious Opera kills Safari across the board.
using
Ever since Apple came out with their Safari Browser for their iPhone I heard people saying how wonderful it was.
But I was like… haven’t they seen what Opera Mini 4 can do. ‘On most modern phones?’
I can’t say I’m very much surprised by the way Apple is behaving (they had banned an app that could download podcasts, said it competed with iTunes…)
I’m glad to have Opera Mini on my BlackBerry and hope they come out with a version for Android.
Also if Apple changes their mind, people will see how cool Opera is =)
using
Tell Apple that I do technical support for its consumers with the Opera desktop browser
using
Apple policies like these inhibit competition in the marketplace.
using
Ha. Apple Can not prevent developing in Opera browsers. Opera is going to be an interplatform(!) software.
using
Why does Apple have to worry if they think that Safari is superior?
Doesn’t this also bring about some anti-trust business with Apple?
using
Issue’s getting some digg action… 2762+ diggs…
http://digg.com/apple/Opera_Browser_Not_Allowed_in_iPhone_App_Store
using
I have seen an email comparing apple iphone with stone ! It shows both are near about same functioning.
using
> @David Ben-Levy : How could the Opera Mini run on the iPhone, there’s no Java VM on it. Did they write a native Opera Mini app to the iPhone? <
I haven’t a clue about the tech stuff, but maybe this explains ? :
” We have two versions, one C + + application and a Java version, said Krogh. ”
Google translation of interview with Opera’s Chief Development Officer, Christen Krogh, on a Norwegian site :
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=no&u=http://www.digi.no/php/art.php%3Fid%3D792442&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DOpera%2BMini%2Bville%2Bv%25C3%25A6rt%2Bperfekt%2Bp%25C3%25A5%2BiPhone%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dopera%26rls%3Den%26hs%3DR6W
using
von Tetzchner is a liar, there’s no Java VM on the iPhone, so the iPhone Mini could run only on jailbroken hacked iPhones, so what did they expect, hacked apps can’t be in the iTunes App Store.
using
@David Ben-Levy: Why do you think that there is only J2ME version of Mini? Please think twice before you start calling people “liar” again!
using
@David Ben-Levy
You can find out how Mini runs on a non-Java device here: http://my.opera.com/haavard/blog/show.dml/2683782#comment6289219
using
When I’m reading stuff like this, I’m happy that I didn’t buy an iPhone. But to me it’s still confusing, since some people say that this story is just not true (e.g. because there’s no Java on the iPhone, etc)
Will be interesting to see how this is going to turn out in the end. But I guess Apple already has too much bad publicity these days…
using
David Ben-Levy needs to inform himself.
http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2007/12/06/
Opera Mini is not just available as a Java application.
Why do people like David Ben-Levy insist on t.r.o.l.l.i.n.g? Do they really hate Opera so much that they jump on any chance to bash it?
using
1. Then why no native Symbian client?
2. The iPhone SDK uses ObjectiveC, not C++
using
David Ben-Levy:
1. It doesn’t need one if Opera Mini can already run on Symbian?
2. How do you know that Opera Mini in C/C++/Objective-C wasn’t written to be extremely portable?
Time to stop jumping to conclusions, perhaps? And accusing people of being liars?
using
hate to burst your bubble…
http://daringfireball.net/2008/11/opera_app_store
It was never submmitted in the first place.
using
your phone must support Symbian, just like we need java to run java games in cell phone
using
Tor Odland, Director of Corporate Communications at Opera: “Opera has not yet submitted a version of Opera Mini to Apple’s App Store, but may do so in the future.”
So who’s the liar.
using
oh, they will realease opera for sure…
but they’ll take their time to make safari at least a little more competitive. As a developer for the iphone you’re just really screwed.
using
So I went back to Mr. von Tetzchner for more details. He said that the development of the iPhone browser was more an “internal project” of some engineers than a product that management was committed to introducing. Indeed, development was halted after the company looked at the details of the license agreement in Apple’s software development kit and realized that it would not be permitted.
“We stopped the work because of the prohibitive license,” to Mr. von Tetzchner wrote in an e-mail.
using
So who’s the liar now?
Is it David who speaks out of his rear, or the CEO of a company who was quoted by a journalist?
Who does David think is a liar with the “not submitted to the App Store” comment?
using
Don’t feed the troll.
using
Omg!
I have seen so much rubbish posted here against Apple for not allowing opera mini(OM) on the iphone. So what if they dont?They got safari.
Oh yes, i forgot OM is better than Safari. Better user experience!
Maybe you forgot this is bussines. Not all is free. Maybe I will develop an add-on for opera and ask the Opera CEO to open up opera for add ons as it will enhance opera users experience. If he says no then he can just be insulted like Apple was insulted here.
Please think before you post you insults and silly views.
using
Opera Mini is cheaper and faster than Safari because of compression. That’s extremely helpful if you pay per MB or the network is slow.
Your add-on nonsense would have made sense if Opera prevented you from creating add-ons, which they don’t. User JS, Netscape plugins, panels, etc. Create away. No need to ask Opera for permission.
using
Theo:
You should really consider your own advise.
using
Your add-on nonsense would have made sense if Opera prevented you from creating add-ons,
Then why does Opera still not have an API to add extensions?
using
Theo: Yes Opera does not have a extensions api just to disallow it.. Jezus what kinda stupid person are you? Do you really have a clue what you are talking about?
Please go back to WoW
using
I agree with you Yeye. I just got myself one and I was really excited at first but sometimes bubbles do burst out easily. Safari on iPhone is very, very elementary and lacks a lot of features what mobile really needs.
Issues, issues:
1. Speed – Safari is the second slowest browser in the mobile world (guess which is the first?)
2. Compression – It is downloading everything without compression just like a regular desktop or laptop browser! (Goes back to #1)
3. Cost – I’m on prepaid, please have mercy… (Goes back to #2)
4. Navigation – Opera is wayyyyyyyy more logical when it comes to controls and shortcut keys (actually after a few hours of using Opera Mini/Mobile you only need use the shortcut keys)
I am not really an Opera Mini/Mobile fan but really, no matter what you do, you can’t really help but notice the difference.
Rating: Opera Mini/Mobile : 4/5 | Safari (on iPhone): 1/5