Since 2013, Windows Phone has grown considerably. Windows Phone Store is now equipped with almost each and every mobile app. The developers are now porting their apps to Windows Phone platform too. All coming apps now arrives for three platforms rather than two i.e. Android and iOS.
The list of apps arriving on Windows Phone is quite long now. It includes games as well i.e. Temple Run 2, Asphalt 8 etc. Recently, Microsoft made another huge development i.e. unveiling Windows Phone 8.1. Windows Phone 8.1 is a road to all hot latest features i.e. Cortana, Notification Centre, and customized Backgrounds etc.
But still, Windows Phone lacks the popular browser app i.e. Opera Mini. Opera Mini is a widely used browser on mobile platforms due to its good optimization capabilities. The app is already there for Android and iOS but for Windows Phone, it remains ‘missing’. The topic is widely discussed in forums, asking Opera when they plan to release it. But a complete silence from other side!
Well, it seems that this is certainly due to limitations by Microsoft. The SDK of Windows Phone is restricted to use any third party browser engine. This hinders the development of third party apps and browsers like Opera Mini.
Why is this so? Why is Microsoft so reluctant to add the support for third party browsers? It seems that Microsoft does not want to lose Internet Explorer on its Windows Phone platform by allowing third party browsers. Previously, the third party browsers support was expected to come in Windows Phone 8. At PC Windows, Internet Explorer is facing severe downfall. The third party browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox has captured most of the PCs. Microsoft does not want to see the same happening at Windows Phone platform.
Considering the reasons, we can’t expect Opera Mini for Windows Phone coming in near future. Even other popular third party browsers are NOT arriving. Let’s see when Microsoft is able to bring the support.
Do you want Opera Mini or any third party browser on Windows Phone? Or, are you in love with IE? Well, I am in love with IE. Tell me your feelings below.