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Is Opera Mini really the most popular mobile application?
While Lee has been lamenting the lack of attention to the latest desktop version of Opera, the browser's mobile version is far from obscure. In fact, Opera Mini is burning up the mobile market: not only is it the most-downloaded mobile browser, it's the most-downloaded mobile application, period. This is according to open apps repository GetJar, which has recorded 25 million downloads of Opera Mini. The number is so high partially because Opera Mini is so versatile, with versions available for Java, Android, BlackBerry and WIndows Mobile.The 25 million figure might not be quite right, though, as GetJar's download page for Opera Mini only shows a little over 18 million downloads. According to a GetJar press release, Opera was only the 3rd most-downloaded app on the site in July. Perhaps the higher figures are a combination of Opera Mini and Opera Mobile, or there's some other reason why they don't mesh with the number I see on GetJar, so I'll give Opera the benefit of the doubt. Even 3rd place and 18 million downloads is a stronger showing than most people imagine when they hear "Opera."
On the other hand, it's interesting to see Opera claiming Most Popular Mobile Application status when there's still some debate as to whether it has more users than the mobile version of Apple's Safari. Of course, Safari wouldn't be included on GetJar, so this popularity contest is already rigged in Opera's favor. Opera recently retook the #1 spot in the mobile browsing market from the iPhone browser, but that's not including Safari users on Apple's other mobile device, the iPod Touch. All in all, Opera Mini is definitely popular, but to call it the most popular might be misleading.
[via ReadWriteWeb]
Comments
8
Subscribe to commentsnathan ryanAug 26th 2009 1:05PM
well its my favourite mobile app because my default browser wont let me visit myspace because i'm under 18 so its awesome :)
JoshAug 26th 2009 1:06PM
Your default browser is trying to save you from viewing that site, not protect you because you are a minor.
IsakAug 26th 2009 2:33PM
Nokia 1100 probably has a browser, that phone has sold like 200m copies. That browser must be the most popular.
What am I getting at? A browser that is bundled with just one phone brand (etc) is irrelevant. Opera Mobile, Opera Mini, skyfire etc. Is all contestants. Not safari. Or Symbians bundled browser for that matter.
Opera Mini is the most popular.
ZidaneAug 30th 2009 11:02PM
No it doesn't have one. Have you ever seen what a 1100 looks like ?
GeirAug 26th 2009 2:41PM
I like Skyfire (even though I use Opera), haven't felt the need for another browser on my mobile. I have to admit that the term "most popular" or "most downloaded" doesn't really matter to me though, so whether it is #1 or #347 wouldn't matter to me.
just browsingAug 27th 2009 2:29AM
USA != World
Platinum_SkeetAug 26th 2009 3:49PM
It's popular if you don't have a phone that's not Iphone or Android because the usual packaged browsers suck. That includes new blackberry's too.
It might change shortly if blackberry's Iris browser shows some weight..
Mr On LineAug 26th 2009 4:01PM
Are you listening to your self ??
of course it's the most popular .. if not .. what is ??