Red Bend Software, provider of firmware over-the-air (FOTA) update technology for mobile phones, and Opera Software ASA announced a joint marketing and business development agreement. Using Red Bend's new Embedded Feature Delivery (EFD) technology, Opera will be able to bring new browser features to market faster, as well as update the browsers regularly with the latest feature packs, optimizing the consumer's mobile Internet experience.

While delivery of new software components has traditionally been a lengthy process determined by handset release schedules, Red Bend's EFD technology removes the timetable bottlenecks by allowing phones, already in the hands of users, to be quickly and easily enhanced with new or upgraded core functions. New embedded functions are delivered to phones over the air and provide a mechanism for more frequent software updates.

Under this agreement, the two companies will work together so that Opera can effectively use Red Bend's EFD technology to shorten lead times for handset enhancement integration and bolster customer and end-user service.

"While the Opera Mobile browser is already well-known for delivering a better and faster Internet experience, this partnership with Red Bend will allow us to leverage the next generation in over-the-air firmware updating and further enhance our market-leading product," said Timo Bruns, executive vice president of Business Development at Opera. "By reducing our time to market for new and updated browser software, EFD is not only making the end-user experience more seamless, but is opening new revenue streams for the company as we can focus our development efforts in other strategic areas."