'Take that, IE 7'

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.

Full story: silicon.com