Today’s web surfers aren’t content just to visit websites to look at cute cat and puppy pictures. Sure, few can resist surfing for cute cat pictures and constantly checking out the latest news, but sometimes plain old browsing isn’t enough. You want more relevant content, faster, and preferably without having to check a bunch of websites to get your news, email or other site content.
That’s one reason why Opera launched extensions, small enhancements that extend the functionality of your browser, for its desktop browser two years ago and started deeply integrating them into the browser. South Africans can also look forward to local Speed Dial as, for the first time in the country, Opera Desktop has country specific settings for South Africa. To start with, the local partners are Kalahari.com and BidorBuy as content partners. Most South Africans are already used to local Speed Dials within Opera Mini and now they can enjoy the same on Opera 12.10.
Earlier in the week, Opera launches the final version of Opera 12.10, with better extensions than ever, making them even more integrated to give users a personalized browser from the get-go. Now, keeping track of kittens and puppies or whatever you are passionate about online is easier than ever! With more powerful extensions possibilities in Opera 12.10, combined with Speed Dial’s easy overview of your favorite sites and shortcuts, you get more of your favorite content faster and easier. Your Facebook pictures can appear in the Speed Dial entry for Facebook, the latest shared fashion trends on Pinterest appear automatically and the weather forecast is always present without having to visit the weather website.
Here’s how extensions can improve your browsing experience:
Social: Keep up with the latest friend pics and updates in your Facebook and Twitter feeds, with the new and improved Speed Dial extensions for Facebook and Twitter. They’ve been hand crafted to deliver more news from your friend feeds, faster.
Lifestyle: Satisfy your fashion passion with Pinterest pictures right in your Speed Dial or let that stumbling kitty cat video be known to the world via StumbleUpon with just one click. It’s almost a cute overload!
Serious business: You play hard, and you work hard. And, an extension like Readability, which focuses on text and not all the pretty pictures accompanying it, can save you a lot of time. Want to read it later? Send the text to your Kindle or put it in the to-read list; two clicks is all it takes. With Gmail and Google Calendar extensions right in your Speed Dial, you’ll be able to calm that email-checking urge without typing a single address in the address bar.
News and weather: Keep track of the latest weather updates, sports scores and news via handy Speed Dial entries, and get the news delivered directly to you. No surfing is necessary. Are you serious about killing your productivity? Install the Speed Dial extension for TED and forever be tempted to check out the latest talks.
In addition to the new extensions, Opera 12.10 now lets web developers enrich a user’s web experience even more. By introducing the Context Menu API, web developers can let the context menu (what most people call the right-click menu) get extended usability — for example, start a Tweet by right-clicking a link. The Resource Loader API lets web developers have their extensions interact with advanced CSS and JavaScript on webpages. One random example might be, oh, let’s say replacing all pictures on a site with cat pictures.
Having cool and playful extensions is nice and all, but there’s more than kittens and puppies to the Opera 12.10 browser. A lot of hard work has gone into improving the browser in ways that might not be that visible to the everyday user, but they still make a difference. In the final release, you’ll find:
Increased support for Macs! Opera 12.10 now supports features such as Notification Center in the newest version of Mac OS X and support for the Retina Screen in newer Macs. With the new version of Mac OS X, called Mountain Lion, Opera 12.10 uses the built-in sharing functionality to e.g. share a cool site on Twitter or via email.
Built-in support for the SPDY protocol to improve and secure connections. Gmail and Twitter have already started using SPDY to supplement the HTTP protocol. The WebSocket API is supported and turned on by default in Opera 12.10. Opera now also supports ICC color profiles and color management.
Support for Flexbox and and @supports to give website developers more control of how their website appear in the end users’ browsers. Basic touch support for Opera in Windows 8 classic and pinch-to-zoom support in Windows 8. As always, Opera Turbo is your friend in cases of slow network speeds.
Download the final version of Opera 12.10 from opera.com.
About Opera Software ASA
The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 275 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the internet. Learn more about Opera at opera.com.
