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Fri, 31 Oct 2008 Apple blocks Opera from the iPhone

Opera boss claims that Apple has barred Safari rival Opera from the App Store

Mark Hattersley

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Apple has blocked the Opera web browser from the iTunes App Store, preventing iPhone users from using the software, according to a report in The New York Times.

Opera is a web browser with a relatively small market share on the desktop computer, however, it is a common web browser found on mobile phones and smartphones.

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According to the report, handset makers typically pay Opera around 5 cents to $1 to run the software on the iPhone. Opera would have looked to sell the software directly to iPhone owners through the iTunes App store.

Mr. von Tetzchner, Opera's co-founder and chief executive told the New York Times that 'Opera’s engineers had developed a version of Opera Mini that can run on an Apple iPhone, but Apple wouldn't let the company release it because it competes with Apple’s own Safari browser.'

Opera has two web browsers for mobile phones, a full featured browser called Opera Mobile, and a lighter program called Opera Mini, which requests simplified versions of web pages that makes for a faster web browsing experience.

The situation once again raises the nature of Apple's control over the App Store. The original rules stated that no porn or malicious apps would be allowed on the store, but this is increasingly being used to include apps that compete with Apple's own software.

Opera is one of the world's most popular mobile web browsers, but Apple has prevented iPhone users from using it

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Comments received


jim said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

Why is this news? We all know apple won't allow duped apps.

Drew said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

Wheres the Anti-Competitive lawsuits then M$ didn't get away with this and neither should Apple.

Chris said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

It's a shame Apple won't let Opera on the iPhone. I prefer Opera to Safari on my Mac. Be good to have a choice of browsers even on a small portable device.

David said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

I cant see why they cant allow this. I prefer Safari anyway but it will not be major threat to the iPhone.

ken foigras said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

@Drew: please check the details of the DOJs case against Microsoft, in which MS was found to have abused monopoly power. Those findings were later upheld in the Appeal Court.

The judge further said that: 'Microsoft executives had proved, time and time again, to be inaccurate, misleading, evasive, and transparently false. ... Microsoft is a company with an institutional disdain for both the truth and for rules of law".

Apple is _not_ a monopoly in either the smart phone or computer market, in fact Apple is providing consumers with an alternative to the market leaders.

Drew said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

@Ken Apple IS a monopoly it controls both the hardware and software of the mac if you want to run a decent os you HAVE to buy a mac. Just because it pretends to be the underdog (at the moment) doesn't make its abuse of power right.

Adam said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

@Drew, you do not HAVE to buy a Mac to run a decent OS, don't be absurd. The Mac is not a market, the computer hardware manufacturing and software development industries are, and Apple is far from a monopoly in either.

Harry said on Fri, 31 Oct 2008

"if you want to run a decent os you HAVE to buy a mac"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

They are just PC clones now. Almost anything can run OS X now and a lot cheaper.

Reza, Apple is doing wron said on Sun, 02 Nov 2008

Apple will lose money with this philosophy, they should allow Opera Mini, apple will gain on allowing it.

Freek said on Mon, 03 Nov 2008

Latest news: Apple didn't block it, Opera Mini was never submitted, because it relies on Javam which isn't supported on the iPhone. So. Please check your facts, Macworld.

Apple said on Mon, 03 Nov 2008

Get JavaVM installed - you muppets!!!

Rich said on Fri, 14 Nov 2008

@Drew: Microsoft was slapped with anti-competitive lawsuits, because of their business practices that controlled what software went onto hardware products made by other companies. The iPhone is made by Apple, not by a 3rd party manufacturer, so therefor they are within their legal rights to control what software will be offered. Think about it. Should the Zune be forced to offer software from Real or iTunes? Should RIM be forced to offer Blackberries with Windows Mobile? Microsoft is not a PC manufacturer, nor a phone manufacturer and therefor should not dictate to those manufacturers what software they should allow to operate on their products.

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