Apple approves rival browser on iPhone

Apple has approved the Opera Mini mobile browser for the iPhone and iPod touch, making it the first independent browser to get on the devices.

Other web browsers have been offered in the iTunes App Store before, such as Incognito, Aquari and Shaking Web, but they all use the rendering engine of Apple's own Safari browser.

The Opera Mini browser doesn't actually have its own rendering engine. It is a proxy browser, meaning the rendering and processing of web pages is done on servers operated by Opera.

The information is then displayed on the Opera app on the iPhone or iPod touch, and because the data is compressed, web pages usually are displayed faster.

This could be useful for owners of first-generation iPhones that can't take advantage of faster 3G data connections and for iPhone users in areas with poor 3G coverage.

Opera Mini can also sync bookmarks and other settings with the desktop version of the browser and allows users to search for text on a page, a feature Safari lacks.

"We are delighted to offer iPhone and iPod touch users a great browsing experience with the Opera Mini App," Lars Boilesen, the CEO of Opera Software, said in a statement.

"This app is another step toward Opera's goal of bringing the web to more people in more places."

Apple's approval to list Opera Mini on the iTunes App Store comes after months of negotiations.