Opera is singing a rather triumphant aria today, with news that the browser has hit 100 million users globally, half of which are surfing on Opera Mini for mobile devices.
Indeed, while the desktop version of the internet browser has managed an impressive 30% growth spurt over last year, February numbers for Opera Mini show a whopping 145% increase in users from a year ago.
The growth doesn’t seem to be leveling off much, either, as mobile web usage continues to climb to new dizzy heights.
With Opera Mini available on Android, Symbian, Blackberry Windows Mobile and most other Java-enabled handset offerings, it’s no wonder the browser is seeing such success.
Now all Opera needs is approval for the Apple App Store, which would allow iPhone users to use its browser instead of Apple’s own proprietary Safari option. The application was submitted to the app store for approval some 20 days ago, but as yet, there’s no hint as to whether or not it will be accepted.
Still, Opera doesn’t seem to be losing much sleep over Apple or the iPhone/iPad crowd. In fact, the firm seems to be having quite a laugh at Apple’s expense, running a competition for people to place bets on when (or if) Apple will approve its app. Winner gets, you guessed it, an iPhone. Classic tongue-in-cheek humor, and we love it.
*UPDATE: shortly after posting this article, Apple accepted Opera’s app for its app store. Of course we’re not big headed enough to believe Unplugged had anything to do with this, but it is a rather happy coincidence.
“Our focus on speed, security, innovation and usability continues to yield results,” notes company co-founder Jon von Tetzchner, in a press release.
“Opera’s record growth shows that we are on the right track, and that as user needs grow, we are growing right along with them,” CEO Lars Boilesen adds.
And the explosive mobile growth Opera is currently seeing certainly doesn’t look like it’s about to end. Even as the fat lady sings.
