Independent app store GetJar says it will pull Opera Software’s Opera mobile browser from its catalog, as Opera Software yesterday announced that it will include one-touch access to its own application store within its browser.
“Although we don’t have any issue with this in principle, in practice it means that consumers might start using this app store instead of visiting GetJar to get their favourite apps. This robs GetJar of traffic and therefore of the advertising necessary to keep our service free for the more than 25 million consumers that use GetJar. It also jeopardizes an ecosystem that has generated over 1.6 billion downloads for tens of thousands of developers who depend on us to make money from their apps,” wrote GetJar’s chief marketing officer, Patrick Mork, in a post on his personal blog.
In a statement, Opera Software conceded that it would like to find a resolution to the spat. “As we have worked closely with GetJar for a number of years we would like to find a solution to still be part of their offering. Opera Mini has been one of the most popular downloads in GetJar’s system historically, so we also believe this means that their users are missing out on a popular app,” the statement read.
The Opera Mini mobile browser has generated over 30 million downloads on GetJar, according to Mork.
In his blog, Mork said GetJar had “spent many months negotiating with Opera to avoid this scenario,” adding that the company is disappointed that GetJar consumers will no longer have access to Opera Mini.
GetJar also offers mobile browsers such as Bitstream Bolt, UC Web browser and Squace.
Opera yesterday announced the launch of its new apps storefront, the Opera Mobile Store, at mobilestore.opera.com.
