Google to buy Opera?

Google may soon announce its acquisition of browser firm Opera, if rumour is to be believed.

Pierre Chappaz, founder of Kelkoo and ex-Yahoo! Europe president, has revealed in his personal blog, Kelblog, that a "usually well informed source" has told him the buy is on the cards.

According to Chappaz, such a move could come in response to Microsoft's latest iteration of its Internet Explorer, IE 7. Should Microsoft, for example, make a better fist of integrating its own search technology into its browser, Google could see itself losing market share.

Chappaz said buying its own browser would be one way for Google to avoid that. And, he noted, Opera has already made inroads into the smart phone market.

Google has made no secret of its mobile ambitions, saying at the recent opening of the London GooglePlex that its European move is centred around acquiring wireless know-how.

Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.