FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Faster, more efficient downloads in Opera technical preview with BitTorrent
Oslo, Norway - July 7, 2005: Opera Software today launched a technical
preview (TP) of the Opera browser for Windows, Linux and Mac that includes
support for BitTorrent. Integrating this popular file-downloading
technology in the Opera browser offers the end user a faster download
process by utilizing full bandwidth and reducing the chance of in-transfer
delay when multiple users download the same file.
"While BitTorrent has been on Opera's radar screen for more than a year,
the true value of the technology became evident when the company launched
Opera 8 in April this year. The massive response, with more than 100
downloads per second, dealt a technical knock-out to Opera's servers. With
BitTorrent, users would have had an alternative download mechanism," said
Christen Krogh, VP of Engineering, Opera Software.
With BitTorrent, Opera hopes to make it easier for users to download the
large amount of legal material available, such as Linux software and
computer game demos. The Opera browser will also be offered for download as
a torrent file.
Opera already supports other file protocols such as FTP and HTTP, and
BitTorrent is the logical next step in the company's strategy to make
protocols available that increase productivity and the overall Internet
experience for the end-users. The BitTorrent protocol differs from FTP and
HTTP in that it makes downloading a large file more efficient, as
individuals downloading the same file will assist each other in the
download process.
Opera emphasizes that the TP should be used for preview purposes only, and
is available for download at
http://my.opera.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=96020 .
More information on BitTorrent can be found at http://www.opera.com/bittorrent/
About Opera Software ASA
Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Web browser
technology, targeting the desktop, smartphone, PDA, home media and vertical
markets. Partners include companies such as IBM, Nokia, Sony, Motorola,
Adobe, Macromedia, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies, Sony Ericsson, Kyocera,
Sharp, Motorola Metroworks, MontaVista Software, BenQ, Sendo and AMD. The
Opera browser has received international recognition from users, industry
experts and media for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant
than other browsers.
Opera's browser technology is cross-platform and modular, and currently
available on the following operating systems: Windows, Linux, Mac OS,
Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, BREW, QNX, TRON, FreeBSD, Solaris and
Mediahighway.
Opera Software ASA is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with development
centers in Linkoping and Gothenburg, Sweden. The company is listed on the
Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera
at www.opera.com.
