Opera For the iPhone?

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.macworld.com/article/147274/2010/03/operamini_submitted.html?lsrc=rss_news' target='_blank'>http://www.macworld.com/article/147...l?lsrc=rss_news</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Opera Software has submitted the iPhone version of its Mini browser to Apple for App Store approval, Opera said on Tuesday. That browser version was first shown at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February, and Opera has since worked hard at getting the product as much attention as possible."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1269393007.usr105634.jpg" /></p><p>In the past, apps have been rejected for duplicating functionality (which this would do) as well as for those not using webkit. But Tor Odland, Head of Communications at Opera thinks that it will be approved because <em>"of the improved speed it offers compared to Safari and the fact that is already has 50 million users."</em>&nbsp;I think he is kidding himself, why would Apple care if you had 50 million users? It certainly won't mean they will all become iPhone owners if they approve it. Matthew Miller over at ZDNet has some <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/cell-phones/?p=3340&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+zdnet/cell-phones+(ZDNet+Smartphones+and+Cell+Phones)" target="_blank">thoughts as to why Apple won't approve it</a>, what are your thoughts?</p>

[DaleReeck]

Apple better get used to approving these sort of apps. Because eventually, someone is going to file an antitrust lawsuit against Apple. Since Apple forbids unlocking and the use of "unauthorized" apps and controls the only means of distribution of apps, via iTunes, Apple won't get away with that model for long. Basically, they won't allow function duplication (i.e., competition) and have control of the only legal method of distribution. No competition allowed plus solo control of distribution equals monopoly.