Opera and Microsoft have signed a licensing agreement which will make Opera Mini the default web browser for Microsoft’s Nokia branded S30, S40 features phones and Asha smartphones range.
Opera Mini will become the default web browser for Microsoft’s existing feature phones and Asha phones portfolio, Opera Software today announced.
The licensing agreement applies to mobile phones based on the Series 30+, Series 40 and Asha software platforms.
Opera Mini will come pre-installed on new devices while the owners of existing devices, who use the current Nokia Xpress browser for these phones will be encouraged to upgrade to the latest Opera Mini browser.
With Microsoft stopping development work of Nokia branded features phones and Asha smartphones platforms, this looks like a well-planned move. Microsoft has already planned to drop development work of feature phones, Nokia X and Asha platforms and these will be totally killed within next 18 months. From our earlier post,
In a internal memo circulated by newly made Microsoft phone business head Jo Harlow, all the efforts now be focused on Windows Phone and Nokia X, Asha and Feature phones will be put in “maintenance mode” for an eventual shut down of services during the period of next 18 months.
Thanks Gavit for the tip. Cheers!!
