Opera acquires Handster Inc.

MUMBAI, INDIA: Opera Software announced today that is has acquired Handster Inc., a leading mobile application store platform company.

Based in Northbrook, Handster has assembled an independent Android content library which offers services to mobile operators, device manufacturers and application stores globally.

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"Opera is evolving from being a browser company into a fully integrated mobile services company and this acquisition is an important step in that direction. We are delighted to welcome the Handster team into the Opera family," said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software.

Boilesen added, "Handster will enable us to strengthen our mobile store offerings to consumers, mobile operators and handset manufacturers."

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Handster offers white-label app store platform, content management, developer tools, content curation and financial settlement services.

"Handster could not have found a better suitor," said Handster Founder and CEO Victor Shaburov. "The combination of our platform, along with Opera's position in the market, will make a big impact on the mobile ecosystem, benefiting developers, publishers, operators and handset manufacturers around the world."

The Handster platform supports Google Android, Java, Symbian, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, netbook and tablet applications.

Launched in March this year, the Opera Mobile Store is now a top 10 mobile app store globally, serving consumers on virtually every mobile platform, including iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Java, and Symbian, as well as web content.