Opera, developers of one of the world’s most popular browsers, announced new versions of its popular Android and desktop browsers today. The release of Opera for Android version 60 and Opera for desktop version 71 will introduce completely redesigned sync capabilities between the browsers and over 100 feature updates for the Android version, making it the most powerful mobile browser available for free in the Google Play Store.
The new version of Opera’s flagship browser for Android ships with a completely redesigned Sync feature that uses a straight-forward QR-code reader to establish a seamless connection between Opera for Android and the Opera desktop browser on Windows, macOS or Linux.
The latest version of Opera’s desktop browser, on the other hand, introduces a useful Easy Files feature. When attaching files in the Opera browser, Easy Files presents the user with their most recently downloaded files in a visual form, helping them select the desired files quickly, without having to search through folders or remember the file names.
Sync without email and password login
Opera has removed many of the traditional hurdles associated with syncing devices in the new version of Opera for Android, including the need to remember various lengthy logins and passwords. Users can now simply navigate to opera.com/connect on their computer or tablet and scan the QR code displayed there with the QR-code reader in Opera for Android, located directly in the search bar.
Upon doing so, the Sync feature will synchronise all the user’s passwords, bookmarks, speed dials, typed browsing history and open tabs, as well as the newly integrated Flow feature across devices.
“People often avoid syncing their phones with their desktops because they hate the hassle of having to type in their login details and lengthy passwords,” said Stefan Stjernelund, Product Manager of Opera for Android. “In the newest versions of Opera, we are making their lives much simpler. All they need to do to sync their devices is scan a QR code displayed in their desktop browser with their phone”.
Although login credentials are not required for the Sync feature, users still have the option to upgrade their connection with their email account and password. This way, they can restore their data should they lose or damage any of their devices.
“Opera was the first browser to offer sync between mobile and desktop browsers 13 years ago. Today, we’re taking a big step forward by simplifying this process,” adds Stjernelund.
Introducing Flow to Opera for Android
The new version of Opera for Android now ships with Flow, a popular feature from Opera Touch that allows users to share files, images, links, personal notes and videos with themselves, between their Opera desktop and Android browsers.
“Flow is especially useful for sending notes, photos and other files to oneself for later, and is accessible across both desktop and mobile Opera browsers. We received numerous requests from our users, who love the feature in Opera Touch, and we listened to them,” said Stjernelund. “Flow has proved to be an extremely popular feature among Opera users, and the redesign of the Sync feature gave us the perfect opportunity to introduce it.”
Users can send items such as website links, text or images to Flow by highlighting them and selecting “Send to Flow” from the context menu. They can also share a current website by clicking on the arrow to the right of the address bar in the desktop browser, or the page context menu in the top right corner of Opera for Android. Flow also allows users to paste and upload files of up to 10 MB, which will be available for download on another device for 48h before being deleted.
In Opera for Android, Flow can be accessed from the O-menu. Flow is end-to-end encrypted so users’ notes and anything they store there will be secure.
Your favourite websites are always available with the new Suggested Sites feature
Opera has always been a pioneer in the browser industry and was the first browser developer to introduce speed dials in its desktop and mobile browsers. In the new version of the Opera browser for Android, Opera is making the speed dial section even smarter and more dynamic by introducing a new feature called Suggested Sites.
Suggested Sites identifies the user’s most frequently visited websites. Over time, the browser will display these sites just below the traditional speed dial section.
“We are creatures of habit online,” said Stjernelund, “Suggested Sites gives us a quicker way to engage with relevant content without the need to manually add pages to the speed dial or bookmarks.”
The feature uses several sources for suggestions, including offline pages and frequently visited articles and domains. All of this provides a more streamlined and personal experience when picking up a device and using the Opera Browser. For users who prefer not to use this feature, it can be easily disabled in Settings.
The most powerful browsers of choice
The Opera browser for Android is crafted and designed to provide modern internet users with the highest quality online experience by making surfing the web faster, safer and more personal.
The Opera browser for Android comes with a wide variety of features that no other pre-installed or default browser can offer, including a free built-in, unlimited browser VPN, an integrated QR code scanner, an easy to use crypto wallet, and a superior cookie dialogue blocker.
The Opera desktop browser (Win, macOS, Linux) is the personal browser of choice for millions of people around the world, distinguishing itself with the highest level of privacy and security, a built-in browser VPN, ad blocker, as well as a user-friendly design and built-in messengers including WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and Facebook.
