Opera released Opera One 2 in developer beta today, including multimedia features, split tabs, and AI enhancements.
Opera One R2 gets a fresh appearance, with new themes and design features. Instead of sidebar multimedia controls, the new version has floating controls, similar to the picture-in-picture video module, as reported by TechCrunch. Play/pause, next, previous, pop-out, and volume adjustments are available in these resizable floating controls that complement the browser style.
The Opera One R2 has better tab controls, including a split tab window for multitasking. Newer browsers like Arc and SigmaOS have comparable functionalities.
The redesign includes traces to indicate recently closed tabs. These indications will display for users with more than 30 tabs open and transition from bright to dark depending on tab closure time.
Opera has been testing AI technologies like Aria, AI-powered summarization, and local usage of massive language models. Aria's picture, speech, and image comprehension functions are available in Opera One R2. In page context mode, users can now ask Aria questions about a webpage, including discovering, translating, or summarizing content.
Later this year, Opera One R2 will be available to more users, per the report.
Taking Browsing Experience to the Next Level
Opera revealed its intentions to add on-device browser AI to Opera One and Opera GX in May, following its introduction of on-device AI by enabling access to local large language models (LLMs) directly in the browser in April.
Krystian Kolondra, EVP of Browsers and Gaming, said Opera will migrate its on-device browser AI function from the Opera Developer testbed to Opera One, according to a media release.
Read Also: ChatGPT for Mac Now Available to All Users, But There's a Catch
Opera became the first browser to implement on-device AI in April 2024. Opera now supports over 2,000 local LLM versions from 60 model families. For the first time, this innovation made local LLMs accessible and manageable via major browsers.
Also last month, Aria, Opera's browser AI, learned to recognize images and allow users to post photographs in the sidebar chat and ask questions about them.
Web Browser Wars Now Includes AI Race Intensifies
Opera's latest developments follow Mozilla's announcement of its experimental AI with Firefox Nightly, which now supports AI chatbots ChatGPT, Google Gemini, HuggingChat, and Le Chat Mistral.
Mozilla stated that these chatbots are optional and not required for Firefox. Mozilla labels Nightly Firefox as an "unstable testing and development platform." according to a previous report by TechTimes.
Mozilla wrote in a recent blog post that offering consumers AI service alternatives lets them choose the best one and eliminates dependence on one provider. The company also noted that it views AI as a user experience enhancer, not a tool replacement, so users may compare solutions to get the best one.
Mozilla evaluates AI services to improve the market, including copyright, consent, and privacy. The company also provides advice to Firefox users on AI tool selection.
Moreover, Mozilla wants people to "shape a future of browsing" by designing experiences. This involves advocating for better privacy regulations, browser speed standards, and user experience to make internet browsing more personal and meaningful.
