The Search Engine Journal says Google Opera Acquisition Rumor Makes Sense. I’m looking at it the other way around.
First, if and when Google buys Opera, what will it do with its strong partnership with Mozilla (i.e. Firefox)? I guess Google will end up alienating those who are using Firefox and loving the Google Toolbar in it. Besides, their Firefox/Google Toolbar referral program is a strong indication that their support is with Mozilla. Then, they’ve hired Firefox developers left and right (and I think still looking for some more).
Well, they did strike a deal with Opera before (which Om Malik believes was the main reason why Opera turned for free) but I think Google is just making friends with everyone else that could bring down Microsoft’s market share.
This move won’t greatly help Google push back IE’s dominance in the browser arena. With Firefox, they already have something around 10% share while with Opera it’s still just about 1%. The momentum is already there so why spoil it?
Just doesn’t make sense.
@ infocast
Yes, still a weapon against IE but ti could very well go in conflict with Firefox which is not good.
@ Migs
Yup, the mobile browser of Opera is still for a fee and that could be the amin reason for the speculations. But with Google’s massive resources and new hires, they could easily get into that with Firefox.
Oh, yes, mobile Opera.
I haven’t really tried Opera so I don’t know how it will render this.
I read in some blog… it’s the mobile browser that they are after.
i does make sense. google will use all possible means to dethrone IE. opera is a better browser and the idea of google owning opera will make it more interesting.