Opera Software, best known for its PC and mobile web browsers, has acquired California-based rival Skyfire Labs.

Skyfire offers consumers a mobile browser that can handle Flash Video and a variety of other video formats. In addition, its ‘Rocket Optimizer’ software can be used by mobile operators to reduce the size of video and other multimedia material when mobile bandwidth is under demand.

Web browser company Opera has been looking at European web site usage in its latest State of the Mobile Web report.

Ignoring international online services such as Facebook and Google, Opera has produced top ten lists of local websites for each country.

Opera Software has introduced a new ‘one click’ service that enables mobile operators to offer their customers access to the web as a value-added option.

It’s called Opera Web Pass and allows operators to package mobile internet use in time or site-specific bundles.

This week’s podcast from The Fonecast starts with a look at Barclays Pingit, the new UK mobile payment service that’ll let almost anyone send and receive money from a smartphone. We then move on to Ofcom’s plans to cut mobile termination rates before discussing camera technology, new handsets, patents, NFC tickets and plenty of other topics.

As always, you can listen to the programme on our website audio player, via iTunes, by using our RSS feed or by downloading the MP3. Alternatively, take advantage of the Android, iOS or webOS Stitcher Radio app and stream the podcast to your mobile phone.

Browser company Opera Software has announced the acquisition of two mobile advertising networks; US-based Mobile Theory and UK-based 4th Screen Advertising.

Two years ago, Opera acquired mobile ad service AdMarvel and later opened its own advertising scheme. This was followed by the creation of an Opera app store in 2011.