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- Opera has recently released a new version of its browser.
- Opera One R3 focuses on organization and personalization.
- Opera can be downloaded and used for free.
Ever since the Opera browser introduced Workspaces, it has been my favorite browser for staying seriously organized. When you have 50 tabs open, they can seriously fill up your browser window, so Workspaces has become an essential feature for any browser I use.
Opera handles workspaces better than any other browser.
Too: Opera’s sidebar upgrade makes access to your favorite apps easier – here’s how
Soon, Opera (aka Opera One) will add even more features to help you become better organized, more creative, and more productive.
Launched on January 15, Opera One R3 builds on an already great browser. In this latest update you will get the following features:
- Tab Islands, Opera’s automated take on tab groups, are now color-coded and named for quick visual clarity and context.
- Context-aware Opera AI now works within a single tab or entire tab island.
- Split-screen support offered for up to four tabs in grid or horizontal layout.
- An expanded sidebar adds Gmail and Google Calendar, along with the usual messaging, music, and collaboration tools.
- A new music-responsive theme created in collaboration with Spotify.
Opera One R3 aims to make the browser feel more organized and focused, as well as provide a more engaging and enjoyable experience.
Too: How Opera’s new Air browser helped me stay cool and surf
Since I’ve been using Opera as my preferred browser for years, I have strong opinions on many aspects of the browser. I admit I have been slow to adopt tab islands. However, recently, I have begun to realize how useful they can be.
Let me explain.
tab island
I do a lot of video work, which means I spend a lot of time in DaVinci Resolve. For years, color grading videos have been my Achilles’ heel, so I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos – including these darren mostynWho is a master color grader.
Recently, I found four of Darren’s videos open in Opera. Those tabs were scattered across the same window, so they weren’t organized. Then I remembered that Opera has tab islands; I combined those tabs together to keep them better organized.
While Opera One R2 includes tab islands, they aren’t well-defined enough. With R3, those tab islands become even more useful – and I fully intend to integrate them into my daily Opera use.
opera ai
As far as AI is concerned, I am not so keen on using any form of AI when it is not installed locally. However, I have conducted several tests with Opera’s Aria and found it to be on par with similar tools. The good thing about Opera’s Aria is that its seamless integration makes it easy to use. Plus, it’s free.
The ability for AI to take over an entire tab island could be a game-changer for many.
split screen support
I’ll be honest with you, I don’t usually use split screen in Opera, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a useful feature. If you have a large enough monitor, being able to split four tabs into four parts can be very useful.
extended sidebar
I use the Opera sidebar a lot and having quick access to Gmail and Google Calendar would make a big difference to my efficiency. When I need to quickly check email or a calendar event, I won’t have to change workspaces first. Quick and easy.
theme
Another thing I really like about Opera is the theme engine. A while ago, developers introduced a method for Opera themes that is so easy and fun that I’m surprised other browsers haven’t caught on. R3 brings even more customizable themes, as well as a music-responsive theme. I wonder if it can also recognize the mood of the music? Imagine what your browser will look like when you’re listening to The Cure and then switching to Taylor Swift. From gloom to rainbow in a matter of seconds.
I’m always excited when a new release of Opera becomes available because the developers always seem to know what I want from a browser, so that proves once again that Opera is light-years ahead of other browsers.
You can officially download Opera One R3 (for free) Opera site.
