Opera is “Reborn”

Ben Moss.
May 10, 2017
Opera is “Reborn”.
Opera have released a major update to their browser. Codenamed “Reborn”, the new browser has been in development for months and includes several features that were pioneered in Opera’s experimental Neon browser. The most prominent feature is the addition of native support for WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram, via the sidebar. Quick-access icons have been added for these services, and they’re always available via speed dial. If you like to chat while browsing you can pin the side panel in place. Chat applications typically work best on mobile devices, but Opera assert—correctly in my opinion—that desktops are a more powerful multi-tasking tool. Still, there’s no escaping the fact that desktops are, for the most part, work machines. Whilst native chat in parallel with your workflow is certainly useful—I would kill for a Slack panel built into Creative Cloud apps—it’s questionable whether WhatsApp is a great business communication tool. In actuality, Opera’s native chat is likely to disrupt more work than it facilitates. This new direction serves a very small niche—users that work on desktop, with Opera as their primary work tool, and communicate via WhatsApp; it seems unlikely that this feature will be emulated across the industry. Of course, the native chat proved popular enough in the Neon experiment for it to not only be ported into the main browser, but to be the central feature in Opera’s current marketing. DarkLight_Theme Happily, there is a lot more in Opera’s latest release: the browsing experience feels more modern; there’s a dark mode if you’re as tired as everyone else of inoffensive grey; there’s more control over ad-blocking; the whole UI has been updated, with redrawn icons for different pixel densities and some charmingly understated animation. On top of all of that, there’s the usual round of security and performance enhancements. Sidebar Opera is a good browser, and it’s incredibly healthy for there to be challenges to Google’s monopoly. What Opera does, it does well. However, what it lacks is a clear identity. As the new messaging features show, Opera still isn’t sure who its main user is. Opera’s latest update is available as a stable release now, and will be pushed out to all Opera users over the coming days.

Ben Moss

Ben Moss has designed and coded work for award-winning startups, and global names including IBM, UBS, and the FBI. When he’s not in front of a screen he’s probably out trail-running.

Read Next

3 Essential Design Trends, December 2023

While we love the holidays, too much of a seasonal theme can get overwhelming. Thankfully, these design trends strike a…

10 Easy Ways to Make Money as a Web Designer

When you’re a web designer, the logical way to make money is designing websites; you can apply for a job at an agency,…

The 10 Most Hated Fonts of All Time

Remember when Comic Sans wasn’t the butt of the jokes? Long for the days when we actually enjoyed using the Impact…

15 Best New Fonts, November 2023

2023 is almost over, and the new fonts are still coming thick and fast. This month, we’ve found some awesome variable…

Old School Web Techniques Best Forgotten

When the web first entered the public consciousness back in the 90s, it was primarily text-based with minimal design…

20 Best New Websites, November 2023

As the nights draw in for the Northern hemisphere, what better way to brighten your day than by soaking up some design…

30 Amazing Chrome Extensions for Designers and Developers

Searching for a tool to make cross-platform design a breeze? Desperate for an extension that helps you figure out the…

Exciting New Tools for Designers, November 2023

We’ve got a mix of handy image helpers, useful design assets, and clever productivity tools, amongst other treats. Some…

The Dangers of Doomscrolling for Designers and How to Break Free

As a creative professional, navigating the digital realm is second nature to you. It’s normal to follow an endless…

From Image Adjustments to AI: Photoshop Through the Years

Remember when Merriam-Webster added Photoshop to the dictionary back in 2008? Want to learn how AI is changing design…

3 Essential Design Trends, November 2023

In the season of giving thanks, we often think of comfort and tradition. These are common themes with each of our three…

30 Obsolete Technologies that will Perplex Post-2000s Kids

Remember the screech of dial-up internet? Hold fond memories of arcade machines? In this list, we’re condensing down 30…