Firefox Is About to Set A World Record, Opera Did It. 4.5 Million Opera 9.5 Downloads Within 5 Days.

Today, Opera Software announces record download figures. In the five days following its launch on June 12, 2008, Opera 9.5 achieved 4.7 million downloads. Opera also reports that the number of people using its browser has more than doubled since Opera 9.0 debuted in 2006. Each month more than 20 million people use Opera to access the Web from their computers and more than 12 million use Opera Mini each month on their mobile phones.

With innovation in focus, Opera 9.5 promises to change the way people browse. This new version introduces Opera Link, a unique feature that allows people to synchronize browser settings such as bookmarks, Speed Dial and notes between their computers and mobile phones.

“In addition to our primary focus on speed, security and standards compliance, we built Opera 9.5 with the typical user in mind. This means that we understand that people today cannot afford to be disconnected and that the Link between the computer and mobile phone is key to meeting future demands for the Web,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “Opera 9.5 has set a new standard for Opera Software. With almost five million downloads in five days, we are proud that our product will now be part of the daily lives of so many individuals.”

Prior to the launch of Opera 9.5, Opera also recorded record usage of its beta versions of this browser. Usage of the Opera browser has seen rapid increase since 2005, a result of constant innovation and updates to the browser, and a focus on online security at a time when browsers have been considered especially vulnerable.

“Back in 2005, I was forced to swim across the Atlantic because we achieved one million downloads in four days. I’m happy nobody has asked me to drag out the wetsuit this year. I’ll take my kids on vacation instead,” concludes Tetzchner.