Web browser maker Opera topped the iPhone application download chart Within 24 hours of releasing its free browser app.

It has been downloaded 1,023,380 times since its launch on 14 April. It took three weeks for Apple to approve the program, which has already been developed for other mobile phone platforms.


An app has to be written especially for a particular phone to offer a high quality experience. On many mobiles the browser provided with the phone is the only choice someone has.

Opera has not developed a separate app for the iPad but says the iPhone program will also work on Apple's new device. Opera's business model is similar to that of a traditional search engine, with revenue coming from affiliate deals and advertising rather than from the user.

Since the mobile app market is booming more and more developers are looking to develop businesses centred around marketing.