There is no doubt that Apple does not allow browsers in the App store. How then will Opera get approved? The company is relying on their remote servers to do the page rendering and then sending the page to the iPhone. Opera is hoping this is enough to get their super fast browsing experience to the iPhone. Apple should approve the app, but judging by past apps that repeat core functionality of the iPhone such as Google Voice, we’re doubtful to say the least. See the press release below as well as Opera’s video of their browser
Opera Mini submitted to Apple’s App Store
Oslo, Norway – March 23, 2010
Opera Mini for iPhone was officially submitted to the Apple iPhone App store today. A select few first saw it at Mobile World Congress 2010 in February. Now, the “fast like a rocket” browser is taking its first big step towards giving users a new way to browse on the iPhone.
Early reviews of Opera Mini for iPhone praised the sheer browsing speed, powering through Web pages up to six times faster than Safari. Due to server-side rendering, Opera Mini compresses data by up to 90 percent before sending it to the phone, resulting in rapid page loading and more Web per MB for the end user. Those familiar with iPhone roaming charges will relish Opera Mini’s ability to deliver more for less, giving users the Web they want quickly, without, the high costs.
“The Opera Mini for iPhone sneak peek during MWC told us that we have something special,” said Jon von Tetzchner, Co-founder, Opera Software. “Opera has put every effort into creating a customized, stylized, feature-rich and highly responsive browser that masterfully combines iPhone capabilities with Opera’s renowned Web experience, and the result is a high performing browser for the iPhone.”
Opera Mini is the world’s most popular mobile Web browser, famed for bringing the Web to nearly any mobile phone. Its speed, usability and navigation-friendly design have catapulted this browser onto more than 50 million mobile phones worldwide. Creating a version for iPhone is part of Opera’s mission to bring the Web to all platforms and all devices.
