Opera has introduced the latest update to its browser, Opera One R2, in the developer beta phase. This update features innovative enhancements such as split-screen tabs and expanded AI functionalities.
This update aims to significantly improve the user experience and strengthen Opera’s position in the competitive browser market. The full release of these features, targeting a broader audience, is expected later this year.
Intuitive multimedia controls and user interface
Opera One R2 showcases a redesign of the multimedia controls traditionally located on the browser’s sidebar. In the updated version, these controls appear in a detachable floating window. This change allows users to easily manage playback options like play, pause, skip, and volume directly within the browser environment.
The update introduces an aesthetic touch to the tab management system. Users can now enjoy split-screen tabs within a single window, facilitating multitasking without juggling multiple browser windows. For those who frequently work with numerous tabs, the new “Traces” feature highlights the most visited tabs when the count exceeds thirty, providing a visual cue to users’ most frequented sites.
Since integrating AI for the first time in 2023 with the introduction of Aria, Opera has continued to expand its AI offerings. The latest enhancements include voice output and image generation directly from Aria’s sidebar, improving accessibility and creative capabilities for users. Additionally, Aria’s new Image understanding feature can now analyze images added to the sidebar, providing insights into specific models and contexts, such as mathematical equations. This AI-powered functionality is poised to transform how users interact with content on the web.
Enhanced webpage interaction
Opera’s R2 release also introduces the “page context mode,” a novel feature that allows users to interact more dynamically with webpages. Through this mode, users can pose questions directly related to the content of a webpage. This tool supports various services such as content translation and summarization, streamlining how users obtain and process information.
Opera has announced that these features will be progressively made available in the developer version of the Opera One browser in the upcoming weeks, with plans for a wider rollout later in the year. This strategic update not only enhances the functionality of the Opera browser but also solidifies its commitment to providing a more intuitive and powerful user experience.