Here’s to hoping Apple will approve it

Feb 10, 2010 11:04 GMT  ·  By

If web browsers like Mercury can be considered Safari replacements, then Opera on the iPhone should prove to be even better. According to Opera Software, the company will reveal Opera Mini for iPhone in an exclusive press and partner preview during the 2010 Mobile World Congress (MWC). Attendees are encouraged to visit Opera’s exhibit in Hall 1, C44, “to witness a new way to surf the Web on the iPhone.”

Opera pledges that the iPhone version of its web browser will provide an unparalleled experience – “fast, easy to use, and packed with favorite Opera features” are the company’s promises. “Opera Mini is renowned for its compression technology, which results in significantly faster Web-page loading and reduces data surcharges,” Opera Software says. “With favorite desktop features in its arsenal, such as tabs, Speed Dial and the password manager, Opera Mini is designed with usability in mind.”

“We are thrilled to offer journalists and partners an exclusive preview of Opera Mini for iPhone during the year’s biggest mobile event,” Jon von Tetzchner, co-founder, Opera Software, adds. “This is a unique opportunity to introduce the fast, feature-rich Opera Mini experience for the iPhone, and to showcase our latest beta releases of Opera Mobile and Opera Mini on other platforms and devices. Opera’s mission is to bring the Web to the world, and by making Opera Mini available on yet another platform, we are one step closer.”

Historically, Apple has not been very fond of competing web browsers trying to make it into the App Store, while Opera Software has no guarantee Apple will approve it. However, it is safe to say that Opera Mini stands a good chance of getting approved, provided its makers don’t cross the line in some areas. Basically, Opera Mini will not have to be much better than Safari. Otherwise, Apple will have no choice but to claim Opera Mini replicates functionality already offered by the iPhone, out of the box.