As you may already know, the Opera browser is getting a new, graphical design that is less platform-specific. This means Opera will look identical on Windows, Linux and macOS. It features a smaller tab row which looks lighter than the current one in the stable branch.
Recent developer builds, which represent the upcoming Opera 45, feature a lot of interesting changes.
The browser now comes with integration of WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook Messenger directly in the left sidebar of the Reborn user interface.
These are web versions of the above-mentioned instant messaging apps, that is, web.whatsapp.com, web.telegram.org and messenger.com. This means you get a very easy way to use these messengers. You can simply log in to the service and start chatting. You can access your conversations directly from the icons visible in the left sidebar.
Another interesting change is a refined look for the sidebar. Now you can make it narrow in the Mac version of the browser, exactly like its Windows version. To adjust it, go to Settings -> Browser -> Sidebar -> "Enable Narrow Sidebar", or use the sidebar context menu.
Finally, the Opera browser now uses the native window frame in Windows 7. This eliminates inconsistency of the appearance for the browser window and also enables Aero transparency and blur.
GPU-accelerated video
The browser is now actively using the GPU for decoding video on Windows. This will allow significantly higher frame rates, higher resolutions, and lower battery usage when playing videos.
Block list management for the built-in ad blocker
Opera now automatically reloads a page when you toggle ad blocking for that page. Also, it is possible to control which block lists are loaded. Easylist and EasyPrivacy are turned on by default.
The Manage Lists button will allow you to enable additional lists.
New icons
The Reborn user interface is getting new icons. They are already available in the most recent developer release.
You can try it yourself using the links below:
- Opera developer for Windows (Using Opera developer for Windows installer means Opera for Computers EULA is accepted)
- Opera developer for Windows (Portable version)
- Opera developer for macOS
- Opera developer for Linux – deb packages
- Opera developer for Linux – RPM packages
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I remember reading that Version 44 would come with a dark theme… So far it’s nowhere to be seen unfortunately.