Microsoft's Edge browser might seem to be the appropriate target since it's integrated into Windows 10, but "Chrome, as a non-OS-supplied browser, like Opera, is the natural target," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Chrome "is far easier to displace, likely because users are less wedded to their browser," he told TechNewsWorld. "Given Chrome hasn't been successful displacing IE users with more resources, Opera likely felt they shouldn't either." Market Impact The power-saving feature might prove attractive to users, but, given Opera's minuscule market share -- less than 2 percent of the global desktop browser market in April, according to Netmarketshare -- it's doubtful whether it will make much of an impact on the competition. "This actually got me to think about using it on my laptop," Enderle said. "But I doubt if many folks know it's out there, and if that doesn't change, their [market] share won't improve." What's in it for Opera, which in recent months built an ad blocker and a VPN into its browser? A Chinese consortium bid US$1.2 billion for the company in February. Being seen as innovative firm might improve its valuation, but "I think Opera's core motivation is to have more browser customers," Enderle suggested. "The rest is just gravy."
boys love it
Microsoft's Edge browser might seem to be the appropriate target since it's integrated into Windows 10, but "Chrome, as a non-OS-supplied browser, like Opera, is the natural target," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Chrome "is far easier to displace, likely because users are less wedded to their browser," he told TechNewsWorld. "Given Chrome hasn't been successful displacing IE users with more resources, Opera likely felt they shouldn't either." Market Impact The power-saving feature might prove attractive to users, but, given Opera's minuscule market share -- less than 2 percent of the global desktop browser market in April, according to Netmarketshare -- it's doubtful whether it will make much of an impact on the competition. "This actually got me to think about using it on my laptop," Enderle said. "But I doubt if many folks know it's out there, and if that doesn't change, their [market] share won't improve." What's in it for Opera, which in recent months built an ad blocker and a VPN into its browser? A Chinese consortium bid US$1.2 billion for the company in February. Being seen as innovative firm might improve its valuation, but "I think Opera's core motivation is to have more browser customers," Enderle suggested. "The rest is just gravy."