Google Lands Default Search Position In Opera Mobile
Duncan Riley
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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.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:48 am
March 4th, 2008 at 7:11 am