Many mobile phone enthusiasts can testify that Opera Mini is a really nice mobile web Browser. Reports have surfaced stating that Apple has rejected an Opera Mini application for the iPhone. Chances are Apple will say that they refused it because it copies a feature that the iPhone already has in place.
Opera Mini has found its way to several phones including many high-end phones such as the BlackBerry, as well as many feature phones such as the Helio Ocean. We have personally had a good hands on with Opera Mini and a few of us will argue that is has more to offer than Safari. Opera is a full-featured browser that looks fantastic when browsing the web. Handset makers are paying Opera around 50 cents to $1 for each phone that is made with the Browser on it.
For lower-end phones and those on slower networks can benefit from Opera Mini because an Opera server computer handles the processing of web pages rather than the phone itself. The server then sends a compressed version of the web page to the phone which saves on load time. Mr. von Tetzchner said, “3G isn’t really that fast,” he said. “We try to deal with the real world.” Opera Mini can offer a better solution to mobile browsing.
[Via NYtimes]
Those Apple Bastards!
I wouldn’t have put it quite like that but I agree, madness!
I think that with time Apple will relax its policies relating to applications approved for the iPhone, just as it has with its developer agreements.
As a user of both the original and 3G iPhones from their first day of release, I am happy with Apple going the slow route.
Obviously, with 9 million users in little more than a year, there are a lot of things right with the iPhone. Could it be that Apple knows a little about the decisions its making?
Some time ago, I wrote a blog post that I believe shows how Apple has made some good decisions. And how time has proven that those decisions were right when they made them. Apple has also had a good record of changing directions, but only with the right timing. I think they do a good job of not bending to every Tom, Dick and Harry whim, and as a user since day #1, I’m happy with that.
You can read the article I entitled, Was Steve Jobs Right with iPhone 1.0 at http://johnkendrick.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/was-steve-jobs-right-with-iphone-10/ John
Apple really disappointed me on this one. I have been checking the apps store to see if opera mini had been added since I heard the announcement in February. Being in an area with no 3g, i really was looking forward to this. Guess will go the android road now. Got opera mini 5 on my Hero and it works good. The iphone for me now is just a game console.
To be fair, why does Apple need this on the iPhone? Safari is compatible with the majority of websites, and there are several sites that Opera doesn’t even work with.