Opera Release 10 [New Enhanced Browser Interface, Compression Technology to Increase Browsing Speed, Integrated Email Client]

Where once Microsoft Internet Explorer reigned supreme, the world of web browsers is certainly opening up. With players like FireFox and Safari making significant in-roads with less complicated, far less bloated browsers, it is no surprise that the developers at Opera Software are vying for their piece of the pie. Their Opera browser has just entered Release 10 status and its list of improvements is garnering some impressive press. The new Opera 10 browser promises to increase browsing speed and enjoyment through its integrated site compression and enhanced UI. Have we gotten your attention? Then read on.

Opera Software has just announced the introduction of the latest version of its web browser, Opera 10, and it sure looks like they have come out swinging. There are three main features in the newest update: a spiffed up browser interface, enhanced website compression capabilities to help speed throughput on slower networks, and additional tab functionality. The coolest feature has to be the site compression function. What this means is that the browser works behind the scenes to lower the amount of information that has to be transferred over the network. It’s a caching thing. This means faster load times for the user and less waiting around. As for the changes to the browser tabs, Opera now gives users the option of viewing thumbnails of the sites by mousing over the tabs. You can also have the thumbnails permanently displayed overhead by pulling down on the tab bar. It’s easier to see it in the first image above than to try and explain it.

Opera has also tossed in a couple of other bells and whistles including an integrated spell-check function for the typingly challenged and support for 51 languages. One feature I’m not too sure about is the e-mail client that comes along with the browser. It is supposed to provide increased flexibility and search functionality, but I have a feeling that for most users it will go largely unused. The speed dial function of Opera (see above screenshot) has also been “enhanced” giving the user the ability to change the size of the thumbnails displayed as well as the option to add their own background image behind the thumbnails. Unnecessary smoke and mirrors? You can decide for yourself, but I bet the soccer moms will love it.

Opera 10 is available as a free download and comes in 43 different languages.(8 fewer languages than it supports…interesting). It’s available for Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems and its built-in automatic update function that will ensure that you always stay up-to-date with the browser’s most current version. After that stellar write-up I know that you want your own copy now. Then you need to head on over to www.opera.com.