The mobile phone versions of the Opera browser will now come with Google as the default search engine.
The new deal applies to Opera Mini and Opera Mobile; the desktop version of Opera already offers Google as the default search engine. Opera’s mobile versions currently have an install base of 35million users.
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but it would be fair to guess that Google just paid its way into Opera’s mobile user base at the expense of Yahoo, the previous paying provider.
The deal is effective March 1 and applies everywhere except within the borders of the former Soviet Union.
Note that Google is also a partial owner of the Maxthon browser, via a 2007 investment.
Update:
we’ve received this response from Yahoo
Yahoo! has elected not to continue its mobile search partnership with Opera at this time. Yahoo! oneSearch is an industry leading mobile search service and offers an innovative and compelling search experience for mobile consumers around the globe. With more than 29 carrier partnerships covering over 600 million consumers, we’ve experienced tremendous success and received incredible consumer response from oneSearch users. Our ability to partner with leading mobile operators and handset manufacturers enables us to lead and further the global mobile ecosystem. Consumers with Opera browsers will continue to have access to Yahoo! oneSearch, and as long-standing partners, Opera and Yahoo! will continue to work together.
Dear Yahoo: Take the money
awesome deal for both companies. Opera is totally unappreciated since so many people sackride firefox
Google has been an investor in Opera…
Still using Firefox …
Duncan, just a minor correction. Opera Mini has a cumulative user base of 35 million, with over 100,000 new downloads each day. While the Opera Mobile browser has been pre-installed on over 100 million mobile phone so far.
Daniel
Opera Software
This is a great step forward. As Yahoo moves forward with Go! and tries to add content to Go!, potentially at the expense of the vitality of the content ecosystem, it is super that Opera Mobile moves forward independently. Opera Mini is my favorite mobile browser, and I believe that an alliance with Google, who is in favor of promoting a more standards based and open environment will give Opera a better financial opportunity to continue driving forward sofytware development.
Good for GOOG
http://yooflix.com
re: “The deal is effective March 1 and applies everywhere except within the borders of the former Soviet Union.”
hmmmm….
Does this mean that the former Soviet Union is again becoming current?
I’ve got Yahoo! as default search engine in Opera Mini browser on my Nokia N95 mobile here in Moscow, Russia. Just made some searches - it works fast.
“the former Soviet Union”
Do you mean what is now called Russia? Or does this extend to all the countries which were then the Soviet Union?
Josh
I got a second hand message from a friend from here in the USA who is on business. 500 miles east of Moscow.
They were screaming mad just yesterday because they could not see their .com Google Apps inbox…
Do any of you busy beavers around here with Russian roots have a clue whazzup with the big G and Russia..?
If anything…..
Do you have any detail about this deal and former Third Reich?
… different names, same sh*t.
Well, according to googlified it looks like Google is pushing a new Gmail YouTube viral. on Gmail http://googlified.com/2008russian-gmail-ad/
“produced [by Saatchi Moscow] for Google to attract more Russian people on GMail.”
The youtube video has been there for 5 days actually..
There has been a Google safari to embed the search engines in all mobile platforms and carriers. NTT Docomo, Nokia, Opera, iPhone etc.
Makes sense
i’m surprised there aren’t startups who would specialize in mobile search that Opera would favor because of a better search experience over being paid off by Goog. Isn’t Yahoo’s Go supposed to be very good?
Good going Google.. keep this up. The Googuys (Google Guys) have got the ability to take over Microsoft soon, i think.
Yahoo! oneSearch rocks. I am not sure if google has something like this…may be they will develop soon.