Norwegian browser developer Opera Software ASA has
developed a product to run on Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating
system, with plans to ship demonstration versions to mobile phone
operators and manufacturers in the coming weeks.
For a company that has made a name for itself developing and
selling browsers that compete with Microsoft's Internet Explorer,
the decision to develop a product for smartphones using Windows
Mobile software signals a significant shift in strategy.
This would be the first Opera browser for mobile devices that
runs on the Windows Mobile platform.
"The reason why we've developed a browser for the Windows Mobile
platform is simple enough: numerous customers have asked for it,"
said Dag Olav Norem, product manager for mobile devices at
Opera.
Norem declined to say which manufacturers or carriers asked for
the new Opera browser.
The product will feature Opera's small-screen rendering
technology designed to let users browse regular web pages on small
screens, according to Norem.
Opera and Microsoft have not always been on the best of terms.
Last year, for example, the Oslo-based supplier butted heads with
the US software giant over compatibility issues between its browser
and the MSN portal.
Opera has delivered its browser technology to numerous suppliers
of smartphones, including Nokia and Sony Ericsson Mobile
Technology.
John Blau writes for IDG News Service