Microsoft has partnered with mobile company Opera to make Opera Mini as the default browser to all phones on Series 30+, Series 40 and Asha operating systems. The company first signaled this move a few months ago when it made Opera the default browser on its Android-powered Nokia X platform.
Earlier this month, Microsoft launched a $25 mobile handset Nokia 130, maintaining its stance to continue its presence in the low-budget mobile segment. And the company is spot on as well, as “Microsoft doesn’t have any other project that can reach these consumers”.
Every new mobile handset in the said categories will now have Opera Mini pre-installed and set as the default Web browser. Opera has clarified that all the existing users will also be prompted to download or update their browser. This was, the company will have many more new users coming onboard, adding to the existing 250 million userbase.
“This is a great opportunity to spread the benefits of Opera Mini to millions more consumers in our core markets. There are still massive numbers of people who have not moved to smartphones, but Opera Mini can provide them with an amazing browsing experience right now,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera, in a statement.
Microsoft has told TNW that it plans to bring its OneDrive and Skype apps on these platforms. However, it didn’t share when it plans to do so.
