OSLO, Norway - Fresh rumors are now linking Opera to Microsoft saying that Redmond has already purchased the Oslo-based company and an announcement is imminent. Last week, Google had been linked to Opera with supposed "insiders" claiming that this was Google's way of enhancing its presence on cell phones.
However, Opera has denied the Redmond rumor as well as the Google rumor, "I don't know why these rumors are happening. My guess, frankly, is as good as yours," said Opera spokesman Eskil Sivertsen.
The rumors of a Microsoft takeover began to circulate late on Friday when U.S.-based Web site CoolTechZone ran a report citing unnamed Microsoft sources saying that the company had acquired Opera and that an announcement would be made in a few days. Analysts took note of the report and concluded that it was a good move for Microsoft.
JupiterResearch analyst Michael Gartenberg wrote as much in his blog, "It gives them some excellent technologies they can incorporate into Internet Explorer and that can help serve them well in their battles with Firefox," he wrote. "There's no doubt that Opera on Windows Mobile is a far better browser experience and it also allows Microsoft to push IE down to other phone platforms via the Java version of Opera Mini."
It was also reported that both Google and Microsoft were in the running, but the latter took a step further and acquired Opera. This was something that did not happen with the AOL deal, which went Google's way.
However, Opera has been at pains to deny both rumors, "Our phones have been ringing off the hook," a spokesman for Opera said. "But it's not true. We have not been bought, and we have not received any offers. It's just a rumor, like the Google rumor last week."
