14 DAY TRIAL // Today, Norwegian software company Opera Software announced it has joined the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC), an alliance established by leading mobile operators around the world. Some of the carriers in this alliance include China Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone and others, all focused on the development of a mobile application platform.
Opera is the first browser vendor around the world to join WAC, and the company is set to bring to the alliance all of its expertise in the development of applications for mobile phones.
According to the company, it already enjoy significant expertise in the mobile app area, and it should bring all of it to the alliance.
“WAC is being built around open Web standards, so it is valuable to have a Web browser company involved. Opera has a proven track record in supporting Web standards,” said Peters Suh, CEO, Wholesale Applications Community.
“Most importantly, they have already delivered standards-compliant widget and Web application repositories to major mobile operators. Their expertise is extremely helpful as we prepare to launch the Wholesale Applications Community.”
The company's web browser was transformed in an application platform a few years ago, when Opera announced the release of Opera Widgets.
After that, the company announced the release of Opera Mini Widgets, which enabled the appearance of various mobile applications for smartphones.
However, since most of today's handsets come with support for mobile applications that were written entirely in open web standards, more mobile phone users can enjoy software solutions on their handsets.
“For years, we have said that the Web is the most important application platform there is,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software.
“Now we have the opportunity to collaborate with global operators to make the Web the common platform for mobile applications. This will ensure mobile applications will be available for almost everyone with a mobile phone, not limited to those with smartphones or a particular OS.”
According to Opera, its products already come with support for the initial WAC 1.0 standard, which is based on an original Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) 1.2.2 standard for apps, also supported by Opera.
“WAC is an important industry initiative towards making a mobile application platform that is web based, rather than locked-down, proprietary application models,” said Christen Krogh, Chief Development Officer, Opera Software.
“WAC allows developers to build successful and spellbinding mobile applications designed for an open, interoperable future.”