Opera Enhances Browser with AI-Powered Image Generation and Improved Multimedia Controls

Opera has announced the release of Opera One’s second version in developer beta, packed with new features including advanced multimedia controls, split tabs, and enhanced AI capabilities.

A Fresh Look with New Design Elements

Opera One R2 introduces new themes and design elements, giving the browser a refreshed and modern appearance. The update aims to improve the user experience by offering a more intuitive and visually appealing interface.

Enhanced Multimedia Controls

Traditionally, Opera placed multimedia controls on the sidebar. However, the new version allows these controls to appear in a floating window, similar to the picture-in-picture video module. These resizable floating controls are designed to match the browser’s theme. Depending on the size of the window, users can access controls like play/pause, next, previous, pop-out, and volume options, providing a more flexible and user-friendly multimedia experience.

Improved Tab Management

Opera One R2 introduces new tab management features, including a split tab window function that enables users to work on two web pages simultaneously. This feature, which is also present in newer browsers like Arc and SigmaOS, enhances multitasking capabilities. Additionally, the redesigned version includes a new indicator system called traces, which highlights recently closed tabs with an underscore. These traces change color based on the time elapsed since the tab was closed and are particularly useful for users with more than 30 tabs open.

Innovative AI Features

Building on its previous AI experiments, Opera is integrating more advanced AI features into Opera One R2. The browser’s sidebar now includes the “Aria” assistant, which offers AI-powered summarization and the ability to use large language models (LLMs) locally. Aria’s capabilities, such as image and voice generation and image understanding, have been refined through Opera’s experimental AI features program.

The new version introduces a page context mode, allowing users to interact with Aria to find, translate, or summarize information directly from a webpage. This functionality enhances the browsing experience by providing quick and accurate information retrieval and translation services.

Opera One R2 is set to redefine the browsing experience with its blend of innovative design, enhanced multimedia and tab management controls, and cutting-edge AI features. By integrating these updates, Opera aims to provide a more efficient, intuitive, and enjoyable browser for its users.