• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, March 9, 2011

In an unusual step, cross-platform mobile app store GetJar has purged the Opera Mini browser from its catalog following the launch of its own app store Monday. The Opera Mobile Store is accessible through its mobile browser software on Android, BlackBerry, Symbian and other smartphoens and powered by mobile app provider Appia. "The simple problem is that Opera mini decided to include a competing app store in its browser," explained GetJar Patrick Mork in a note to GetJar customers. "Although we don't have any issue with this in principle, in practice it means that consumers might start using this app store instead of visiting GetJar to get their favourite apps.

He also indicated that Opera's launch of an app store in its own browser violated its agreement with GetJar. "We spent many months negotiating with Opera to avoid this scenario and are disappointed that GetJar consumers will no longer have access to Opera Mini," he wrote. The move underscores intensifying competition in the space as more mobile players open their own app storefronts. Mork added he hoped to work things out with Opera, but booting the popular Opera Mini browser from GetJar's virtual aisles won't help the company in promoting itself as a sort of Switzerland of app stores. Read more here.