Facebook SPITS in Google’s Face

Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) is rumored to be lining up Opera Software for purchase, and the social network is credence to that speculation. Facebook recently removed Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Chrome web browser from its recommendation list, replacing it with Opera. The recommendation page was screen-grabbed by FavBrowser. While both Chrome and Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) Safari are supported by Facebook, recommendations to users by the social network now include Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Internet Explorer, Mozilla’s Firefox, and Opera.

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A buyout of Opera will make sense for Facebook, which has been trying to improve its mobile footprint after growing post-IPO worries that it was in quick need of monetizing itself on those devices. Opera makes advanced mobile phone software technology and creates web browsers that work across several platforms, including mobile phones, tablets, PCs, and televisions.

Google is also said to be an interested party in the Opera deal, having an extensive relationships with the company already. Google is Opera’s default search partner for Opera Mini and Opera Mobile.

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