Broadband Tech > Security > Security > Facebook in talks to buy browser company Opera, says report

Facebook in talks to buy browser company Opera, says report

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Tech blog Pocket-lint says one of its "trusted sources" revealed that Facebook is trying to buy Opera Software, the company behind the Opera Web browser, a sign that the social-networking company might be looking to launch its own browser.

The move would put Facebook in competition with other tech companies in the browser game -- including Yahoo, which recently launched Axis, and Google, which has already released extensions to integrate its social-networking component, Google +, into its browser.

Pocket-lint speculates that a Facebook browser "would allow you keep up to date with your social life from in-built plug-ins and features on the menu bar."

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Sounds like FUD to me.

I seriously doubt Opera would go for it. They are proud of their indie nature and with FB's track record, I just don't see it.

Here's a thread: »my.opera.com/community/forums/to···=1409562
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Any thing is possible in this digital era. Money talks. And you know FB will most likely be offering big money for it. Something they could not pass up.

reply to goalieskates
Hmm, this is disconcerting:

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Citing an unnamed source, Pocket-lint says the social network juggernaut is considering an outright acquisition of the Norwegian software company to accelerate a move onto the battlefields where the browser wars between Microsoft, Google, Mozilla, Apple and since recently Yahoo are being fought.

But not so fast. First of all, we asked Opera Software for an official response on the report, and a spokesperson declined to comment.

Update: Facebook also declined to comment.

One source close to Opera, however, tells us two interesting things:

1) Opera Software management is talking to potential buyers right now.

Currently listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the company’s leadership is said to consider becoming part of a larger privately-held or public company rather than trying to keep growing the business independently.

2) We’re told that there’s currently a hiring freeze at Opera, which is a surefire sign that something big is about to happen – or at least that Opera wants something big to happen.

We’re trying to get more sources to corroborate these stories, but the above comes from a very solid source. Our source was unable to confirm whether Facebook was one of the potential acquirers, but said it “would make sense”.

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reply to goalieskates
Money talks. Opera seems to be known as a safe alternative to its users. Facebook buying it may kill its current user base. Facebook would probably count on its users quickly making up the loss.

reply to goalieskates
Considering Opera has been considered 'that other browser' than has the least amount of users using it out of any major browser coupled with it being ignored most of the time whenever there's been a story about comparing browsers or polling of which browser people prefer, it was only a matter of time before something like this would happen.

I got nothing against Opera itself but it just seems like they wouldn't last.

reply to goalieskates
Wow...I sure hope it doesn't turn out that way.
I can't imagine anything much worse in my world of 'browsing', than to see my favorite browser, and the one I have used almost exclusively for a very long time, become associated with (much less be owned by), facebook...something I avoid like the plague. This would be a major bummer.
Opera and Facebook? It doesn't even sound right being used in the same sentence. Unreal.
I thought (and hope), Opera has more class than that. But yes. Sadly, major money usually talks.
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.

Opera and Opera mini are big on Mobile.

I hope not. I've used Opera since it was pay-for. Kinda cooled it after they added a lot of crap like Unite and Widgets. Magic Wand was another do without. I use it when FX won't do a site right.

reply to goalieskates
C'mon, guys, tell me this ain't true; it's FUD, isn't it?

reply to goalieskates
Rockmelt would be a better fit for Facebook, as it is built around it.

reply to goalieskates

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Oh noes. If this happens, Opera gets marked off my "safe browser" list.

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Dude, I hope you're right about the older versions. I've used opera exclusively for several years now, and I really hate the thought of having to let go of it.

Don't like firefox.

won't use googles junk of any kind.

IE is black listed from my pc. Hate it. The last version they had that I liked was ie6.

there aren't many choices left and this old granny isn't stupid enough to facebook.

reply to goalieskates

The horror!

reply to goalieskates

Re: Facebook in talks to buy browser company Opera, says report

I read an article on Daily Rotation (I think) couple of weeks ago. Opera 12 is dropping Unite, Widgets, and Voice: Not the correct article, but:
»my.opera.com/desktopteam/blog/20···ts-voice

I've hated widgets and magic wand since they were included. 12 is in Alpha, and I'm watching for release.

I won't miss those three things at all, but what's wrong with having Wand for passwords? It's worked great for me for years. If you use a Master Password, it's a one-way encryption too.

Heck, I can't think of a browser that doesn't have a PW manager.
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My 9/11 Tribute..online since 9/14/01
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reply to goalieskates
I just can't get over this the more I think about it, and I'm still hoping it doesn't happen. I've been around for a few years..(well, ok, more than a few) , and have seen a lot of changes in the computing world. Some of those changes took me by surprise.
But never in my wildest dreams did I ever think of 'Opera' and 'Facebook' at the same time.
I absolutely *loathe* Facebook, and everything about it. Just the mere mention of the name these days makes me want to kick my cat. (Don't worry, just kidding...but you get the idea). I can't even watch the news, or anything else on TV for that matter, or read a magazine without seeing or hearing: "You can always follow us on Facebook". And we won't even mention the recent stock market news which has made the word even more common everywhere I go.
My oldest daughter had to upload Photos of my new Grandson to a photo-hosting site, because I absolutely refused to join Facebook where everyone else she knew was viewing them.
One thing is for sure. If Facebook were to acquire Opera, I would uninstall it from every machine I own, and I guess it would be back to Firefox full time. I don't really like the way Firefox seems to have evolved over time either. It was once my primary Browser many moons ago. But hey, anything is better than selling out to those Facebook sleazeballs.
Some may think I'm making way too much of a big deal about this. But for me, at least, if it were to come true it really IS a 'big deal'...and a really BAD deal.
Did I mention I don't like Facebook?
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem.

reply to goalieskates
I have e-mail accounts with Opera AND with FastMail.FM which Opera bought a couple of years ago.

If I see Facebook coming in, those accounts will be immediately terminated.

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I firmly believe that Zuckerberg should be punched in the face, repeatedly.