LAS VEGAS--Opera Software took its mobile proxy- based browser, Opera Mini 5, to the iPhone App Store this week, but whether Apple accepts Opera's suggested choice to Safari is still up in the air.

Either finding of fact could benefit Opera's hand. If Apple accepts the browser, Opera succeeds and can begin making a name for itself on still another mobile platform. If Apple refuses Opera Mini, Opera finds a opportunity to play the victim, perhaps setting the stage to mount a similar European antitrust claim against Apple as Opera did against Microsoft for its Internet Explorer browser several years back.

There's a high chance Apple could reject Opera Mini for iPhone, but Opera is poised for either contingence. A Web page on Opera's site keeps a running tally of the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until Apple processes the submission, and Opera is getting guesses in a rather funny contend for when exactly Apple will hand down its conclusion. Whatever occurs, Opera clearly requires as numerous eyes on the transactions as it can get.

Until we know either way, we have you a glance of what could be, our First Look video of Opera surfing on the iPhone.