Features of Opera include tabbed browsing, page zooming, mouse gestures, and an integrated download manager. Its security features include built-in phishing and malware protection, strong encryption when browsing secure web sites, and the ability to easily delete private data such as HTTP cookies.
Opera runs on a variety of personal computer operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris. Evaluations of Opera have been largely positive, and it has innovated or pioneered many key features of modern browsers. Despite these factors, Opera has captured only a small fraction of the worldwide personal computer browser market. It does, though, have a stronger market share on mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and personal digital assistants. Editions of Opera are available for devices using the Symbian and Windows Mobile operating systems, as well as Java ME-enabled devices. Approximately 40 million mobile phones have shipped with Opera pre-installed. Opera is the only commercial web browser available for the Nintendo DS and Wii gaming systems. Some television set-top boxes use Opera. Adobe Systems has licensed Opera technology for use in the Adobe Creative Suite.
History
Opera started out as a research project in Norway's largest telecom company, Telenor, in 1994, and branched out into an independent development company named Opera Software ASA in 1995. Opera Software develops the Opera Web browser, a high-quality, multi-platform product for a wide range of platforms, operating systems and embedded Internet products.
Vision
Opera's vision is to deliver the best Internet experience on any device. Opera's key business objective is to earn global leadership in the market for PC/desktops and embedded products. Opera's main business strategy is to provide a browser that operates across devices, platforms and operating systems, and can deliver a faster, more stable and flexible Internet experience than its competitors.
Fast Facts
Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Web browsers for the desktop, device and mobile markets. The Opera browser has received international recognition from end-users and the industry press for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant than other browsers, and it has gathered a cult following on the net.
Address
Waldemar Thranes gate 98
NO-0175 Oslo
Norway
Postal enquiries:
P. O. Box 2648 St Hanshaugen
NO-0131 Oslo
Norway
Telephone:
+47 24 16 40 00
Fax:
+47 24 16 40 01
Founders:
Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner (CEO)
Geir Ivarsoey
Line of business:
Browser-maker for PC/Desktop, Mobile phones, PDAs, Devices
Financed:
Public. The Opera share is traded at the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker OPERA.
Employees:
Approximately 390 (May, 2007).
Satellite offices:
USA, Sweden, China, Japan, South Korea, India and Poland.
Tag line:
Simply the Best Internet Experience on Any Device
