The Browser Wars Are Back! Microsoft Buys the Opera Browser?

Published on December 23rd, 2005

John appears to be right, sources are saying that Microsoft bought the Opera browser. It appears that the browser wars are NOT over, despite my earlier guess.

Here comes a surprise. In a recent conversation with one of our insiders at Microsoft, the source revealed that Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest software maker, has acquired Opera Software, makers of the Opera browser. The insider reported that both Microsoft and Google were trying to bid on Opera, but in the end, the software maker took the lead.

Bring it on guys, competition is a good thing!

My guess is that the code for Internet Explorer is not going away. It’s too integral to the OS. E.g., active desktop and the Add/Remove Programs applet are two examples. Unless Microsoft is pulling that type of stuff in Vista.

I’m also shocked that Microsoft has admitted that IE is not worth fixing! I was amazed at first with the idea that such a huge company could simply change course. But Microsoft has always been a reactionary company.

It started off as a language company, then switched to operating systems in reaction to IBM’s offer. It switched to a GUI in reaction to Apple. Word was a reaction to WordPerfect. It embraced the browser in reaction to Netscape. It jumped into the console marking in reaction to Sony “winning” the living room. So this move on Microsoft’s part is really par for the course.

29 users responded in " The Browser Wars Are Back! Microsoft Buys the Opera Browser? "

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# 1 Jeff said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 5:24 am

Since Microsoft has it’s own browser, wouldn’t them buying the Opera browser in fact eliminate competition? I don’t understand how this is good at all. I really, really hope this isn’t true.

# 2 Steve Newlin said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 5:32 am

As I linked, I earlier guessed that because Microsoft was pulling IE support from the Mac and because Firefox had won an OEM deal with Dell in the UK, that there was an indication that maybe, just maybe, Microsoft has given up the browser war.

The fact that it bought Opera clearly shows that is NOT true. The war is back on and Microsoft is serious. Consolidation does not necessarily mean competition is over. Look at the play-offs of any sporting event. Teams are eliminated, but the competition intensifies.

# 3 Jeff said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 5:49 am

Opera is denying it.

# 4 Nicolai Langfeldt said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 5:52 am

If Opera got bought they would have to issue a statement to the Oslo Stock market. They have not. The stock market info page on Opera is here: http://www.oslobors.no/ob/aksje_kursutvikling?menu2show=1.1.2.1.&p_instrid=ticker.ose.OPERA

There is one statement today: http://www.newsweb.no/index.asp?symbol=OPERA&melding_ID=119185 which simply says that the primary insiders have put their stock into a holding company which they themselves own.

Nicolai – with some help from POK

# 5 Dan Jallits said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 6:39 am

Regardless Google needs to get a browser. Maybe Google could partner with Mozilla on Firefox…. kind of like Red Hat sponsors the Fedora Project.

# 6 gquaglia said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 6:47 am

Knowing how M$ thinks the IE is superior to everything else, if they did indeed by Opera, it was only to get rid of some of the competition, not because they want a better browser. That would be admitting that IE is not the greatest piece of software to ever come about, except maybe for the upcoming Vista, which will truely be the best product to ever wear the M$ logo. They may incorperate a few of Opera features, but in the end it will still be the crap, hole ridden IE that we have all come to know.

# 7 Boyle Malthus Owl said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 6:52 am

John, you’re wrong. Again. Do you think that we’d be bamboozled and not check the sources? The only major buy was a ~20 percent purchase by a *Norwegian* holding company.

Indeed, where is Microsoft listed in ANY of the regulatory reports?

Why did you write this, John? Your little rumor is all over the Yahoo! stock discussion boards and it’s based in nothing but bovine excretions. For Shame.

# 8 Steve Newlin said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 6:53 am

gquaglia, I wonder if the company behind Opera has any browser patents MIcrosoft could use against Firefox.

And it sucks if you’re right and Microsoft bought Opera merely to bury it.

# 9 Steve Newlin said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 6:56 am

Boyle, John didn’t write this. I did. And I did mention merely that it “appears” that Microsoft bought Opera via “sources.” It’s clearly not confirmed yet.

# 10 Boyle Malthus Owl said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:03 am

Steve,

Whoever said it “appears” that Microsoft bought Opera has not checked the listing on mandatory reports.

Go…HERE:

http://www.newsweb.no/index.asp?languageID=1&symbol=OPERA&interval=99&date_start=14.09.2000&ncat_id=&date_stop=31.12.2014

If Microsoft bought Opera and it’s a _done deal_, why is there no report of a major purchase by Microsoft on that page? What is the point of this rumormongering if it’s this easily falsified?

–
BMO

# 11 JoAnn said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:04 am

Nothing about “sources” or “rumor” in the headline. You were pretty definitive….and wrong.

# 12 Dvorak reader said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:15 am

I don’t know, we’ll see.
As you type, Google will offer suggestions. BETA
http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=1&hl=en
Sega shares jumped 17% after rumors surfaced that Microsoft may buy it out. Maybe Microsoft will buy Firefox. Microsoft buying Google? Google shares go to $1850.00, more Google billionaires. Speculation is fun.

My prediction: The hot deal of 2006
Microsoft win buy Sun in 2006 at a bargain basement price.
The new company will be called Microsun.
Google will compete with Google Moon and expand with NASA.

# 13 gquaglia said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:25 am

“And it sucks if you’re right and Microsoft bought Opera merely to bury it.”

Either that, or they did it just to keep it out of the hands of Google, who madman Steve Ballmer has vowed to crush.
Either way that is the M$ way of doing business.

# 14 Dvorak reader said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:28 am

Dvorak has one heck of a rumor machine, but he didn’t write this as Steve notes. It’s just speculation, which is what these companies do all the time to keep users guessing or just plain old confused. It should create a lot of buzz. Maybe Microsoft will make some sort of announcement from on high. The plot thickens.

Here’s a rumor: Google-AOL buying GM. Auto plants to be used for building search engines and spy satellites.

# 15 Dvorak reader said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:39 am

Microsoft and Opera introduce
Mopera-The new browser for all your Web 2.0 needs.
Potential for BUZZ
It’s a messy world. You need Mopera! (Mopera 2.0 Coming Soon)
Visit the Mopera Blog-Used by the janitor at Googleplex!

# 16 James Hill said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:45 am

It’s pretty hard to be wrong twice on a subject, but you’ve done well.

Could it be that this is bull, and M$ only dropped Apple support because a sub-3% closed platform isn’t worth working on?

# 17 AB CD said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:53 am

Why would they need Opera? IE already has tabbed browsing, and didn’t Opera’s workspace start with MS Word?

# 18 Eideard said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 7:55 am

James — have you ever tried wandering anywhere on the Web with the IE version for Mac? It always was a piece of useless crap. You couldn’t get a readable page most places. Especially if the page came up to design spec.

# 19 Dvorak reader said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 8:18 am

Mopera mobile from Mod Squad
2005 was the year of the ipod.

For 2006 it’s all about the moPod
It’s a browser, it’s a TV, it’s a Voiphone, it’s a Mp3 player, it’s a game, it’s a GPS, it’s a wifi coffee shop finder, it’s a ewallet, it’s a passport and it’s all of this and more. One company, one device unlimited uses. Works without Google-Totally ad free! $399.99 CHEAP!
The last device you will ever need.

AM Stereo BETA testers wanted.

# 20 Dvorak reader said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 8:24 am

We better wait for John to offer an analysis of this whole thing.
I’m sure he know a good deal about it. Please John, give us the facts here.

# 21 Dvorak reader said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 8:54 am

Mopod 2.0 with RFID rootkit technology will mean that you don’t need keys. No more lost keys to search for with no more keys. Do everything in the mop browser with digital rights management. Where do you want to go today? We already know. With Chip in a Kid 2.0, finding the little ones is just a search box away. Now ported to Xbox 360|2.0. Because life is a game.

Mopera-A Web 2.0 Inc. company.
PS: Clean up with Mopera.

# 22 Larry said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 8:57 am

Strange . . .

The folks at Opera know NOTHING about this, they are LTAO.

# 23 Steve Newlin said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 9:09 am

JoAnn, the point of a headline is to grab your attention. My posting was very clear that it was unconfirmed and merely a rumor.

# 24 site admin said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 9:14 am

Hey Bovine..learn how to read a blog, you idiot. Here:
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/primer/blogprimer1.htm this may be a good start for you.

My column in Marketwatch is based on the obvious, nothing more. It was originally written with the angle that I was recommending MIcrosoft buy Opera. But as I wrote out the details it became apparent to me that a deal might already be in the works (hence the Mac announcment) so I changed it to a speculative column. Not mentioned is that Board member of Opera, John Patrick, is an ex-IBMer who worked with Microsoft before. He may have been brought on to the board in the ifrst place for his contacts with the M&A angle from the beginning.

If there was a deal brewing, as some gossip rags now suggest, it may have actually been queered or at least screwed up by the Marketwatch column.

# 25 Brady J. Frey said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 9:34 am

Um, no:
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/applications/0,39020384,39243639,00.htm

I don’t see MS bowing out — again, activex. While their attempts at pitching Web 2.0 when they really don’t have a browser to support that fully could be a good primer to buy Opera, that would be rare. Especially after Opera has openly slammed them about the Acid 2 test.

Still though, this site shows little experience in the web design and development arena, much of the articles noticed in this regard are filled with little expertise.

# 26 Dvorak reader said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 10:16 am

Another prediction.
Microsoft buying Technorati in 2006?
The Tag Wars.
Google tags? 2005 was the search year. 2006: Year of the Tag?
Tag spam could be a big problem.

# 27 James Hill said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 6:09 pm

No argument from me that IE for MAC is a POS. What I’m saying is that, if you’re a software company and you have IE for MAC as a product you support and promote, do you try to improve or just can it?

When the market for your free product is less than 3% you dump it.

# 28 Kevin said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 6:33 pm

Good grief amateurs, publicly-traded companies don’t acquire each other without, uh, announcing the fact. That’s becuase, y’know, the acquisition doesn’t occur unless and until all those indiciduals who hold the shares exhange them for compensation. The process always takes a long time and must be approved by a majority of shareholders, etc etc.

It’s not like walking in to the store and buying a sixpack of beer.

# 29 SignOfZeta said, on December 23rd, 2005 at 8:22 pm

The fact that this story seems to be bugus is one thing, but “Bring it on guys, competition is a good thing!”…that’s just amazingly…I don’t know. Would “stupid” be too harsh?

My friend says logical consistency is over-rated. I’m not so sure.

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