Can Opera Beat Microsoft In The Browser Wars?

February 4, 2009 · by EspenAO

Yes, we can!

Opera Software is clearly trying to get Microsoft's attention, and while they are at it, ruin their chances of being the dominant internet browser on the mobile phone. Last week, the company flew an executive from Mountain View, Calif., to Seattle to give the press in Microsoft's backyard, including me, this message: Opera is going to unveil a "very aggressive" advertising campaign that will be plastered on buses and billboards to get consumers to download the Opera browser to their phones.

Kudos Chas4 for sharing the news.

Readers' comments 13

Left under the original article, as archived.

zetorres4. February 2009, 09:04:08
go strong Opera go!
chuushingaijo4. February 2009, 09:04:32
Awesome! But I think that they should provide the same "aggressive" advertising for the desktop version of the browser. Because let's face it, Opera isn't going that well in terms of usage share, despite how good of a browser it is. It will be much more beneficial to start advancing on both fronts. HAHA ^_^
YtseJam4. February 2009, 09:33:24
"to their phones"? That's almost like not-saying "we've lost all chances on the desktop". Poor wording and not ambitious enough on Opera's behalf.
Tamil4. February 2009, 09:38:57
AOTEAROAnz4. February 2009, 10:32:15
News Flash of the Year !
Woot! Woot! Excellent..Woot. aggressive campaigning
Chas44. February 2009, 13:49:58
coxy4. February 2009, 14:27:03
I'd like to see Opera just generally getting more agressive; stealing people's phones and installing Opera Mini on them, or the same with laptops.

Opera Software is clearly trying to get Microsoft's attention, and while they are at it, ruin their chances of being the dominant internet browser on the mobile phone.

I don't get the whole 'ruin their chances of being the dominant internet browser on the mobile phone' bit. Is he saying that the advertising won't work and will be a waste of money, or that by playing Microsoft they'll be less willing to offer the browser on Windows Mobile devices? Or am I overthinking this?
haavard4. February 2009, 15:44:55
coxy: I was wondering the same thing, but I think he's saying that Opera will run a massive ad campaign which will ruin Microsoft's chances of being the dominant mobile browser.

Then again, I think that Microsoft is perfectly capable of ruining it for themselves, considering the stone-age technology their "new" mobile browser is based on
Tamil4. February 2009, 16:46:02
lilmoder4. February 2009, 19:03:27
Opera advertising! At last!
gman655. February 2009, 13:12:53
Fat Chance
haavard5. February 2009, 13:38:21
gman65: Who are you talking to? More than two words would be nice...
Chas45. February 2009, 15:52:44