Opera Launches New Chromium-Based Browser

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Opera has released a beta version of Opera Next 15, the latest iteration of its desktop Web browser. Normally, a new browser release isn’t a big deal, but this version of Opera has been completely redesigned with a new interface, new features, and a new engine under the hood–Google’s Chromium.

PCMag’s Angela Moscaritolo reported, “Opera has totally revamped the desktop version of its browser, which is now available for trial on Windows and Mac. The all-new browser, dubbed Opera Next 15, was built from scratch with a refreshed design and a slew of new features for a better browsing experience.”

The Register’s Gavin Clarke added, “Opera Software today announced the beta availability of a completely re-engineered version of its browser that rips out the old plumbing in favour of Chromium, the open-source code that’s the basis for Google’s Chrome, and the WebKit layout engine, used in Apple’s Safari and in Chrome. Opera Next is using Chromium to provide what Opera Software called a ‘standards-compliant and high-performance browser.'”

SlashGear’s Chris Davies noted, “The new version features a redesigned Speed Dial interface with support for folders; shortcuts can be dragged and dropped on top of each other to instantly create a folder, and there’s a combined search box which merges in bookmarks too. Other changes sees the new Discover feature added, which sifts through categorized topics – such as food, technology, or sport – and automatically pulls out content both global and localized on that theme.”

TechCrunch’s Frederic Lardinois observed, “Also new in this version is Opera’s new ‘Stash’ view, which allows you to quickly bookmark sites (just press the heart icon in the URL bar) and then later compare them with a resizable page preview. This feature, the company says, should be especially useful when you are comparison shopping or doing travel research.”