operasoftware

Moving on!

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:52:40 GMT

For your daily dose of Opera news head on over to Choose Opera. We still have our Facebook groups up and running: Opera browser and Opera Mini. For more information check out Choose Opera!

Opera Mobile 9.7 with Opera Turbo

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:37:57 GMT

We're happy to announce our upcoming release: Opera Mobile 9.7 Beta for Windows Mobile touchscreen devices.

The Opera Mobile 9.7 Beta will include many new great features. Read more in the Opera Mobile 9.7 blog.

Vote for Opera

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:30:38 GMT

We made it! Opera's a top contender in Lifehacker's best Web browser poll. It's time to support your friendly neighborhood browser.

Vote now!

Betavine widget competition

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:10:59 GMT

Betavine, a Vodafone Group R&D lab, is offering developers a chance to win £20,000* in a mobile widget competition.

Developers are invited to create widgets for the Opera for Mobile 9.5 platform, which is included on Nokia 6210, Nokia N78, Nokia N95 8gb and Nokia N96 devices.

Recources to get started

Have a look and use the following recources:

Widgets SDK

Opera Widgets forum

Articles on mobile and cross-device development

Widgets SDK tools

Opera Dragonfly & Widget Emulator combo for debugging

Also check out Betavine's own "Get Started" page and the extensive Mobile Widgets User Experience Guidelines PDF document by Vodafone.

If this competition sounds like something for you, sign up at Betavine!

*Seriously, that's a lot of money.

Rally the troops!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:57:57 GMT

Lifehacker has a nomination what's the best browser. We already have a good amount of Opera votes, but it's about time to get this show on the road!

Rally up and head over to Lifehacker and vote by commenting like this:

VOTE: Opera (Your reason here)

Click, click for voty: http://lifehacker.com/5175858/best-web-browser

Opera Version History

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:42:56 GMT

When did we release your favorite feature? Check out the Opera Version History!

Please welcome Opera Turbo

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:39:10 GMT

Opera loves speed, we all know that. We work hard to make the browser faster with features that speeds you up, but your connection also has a saying how fast you can go.

That’s why we’ve been working on Opera Turbo, a server-side optimization and compression technology that provides significant improvements in browsing speeds over limited-bandwidth connections by compressing network traffic. This does not only make you surf faster, but also lowers the cost of browsing when you are on a pay per usage plan.

Please not that Turbo is not for everyone. If you're on a 10Mbit fiber connection, you will most likely have no result of enabling Turbo mode. However, imagine you're stuck on an airport with a slow Wi-Fi connection... Well, fire up Turbo and experience improved browsing speed. :cool:

Turbo Speed

Today we start our time limited test phase for Opera Turbo. Please read the labs release to learn more about Turbo and download it. You can also see it in action in the following video:

Download Opera Turbo

Windows build

Mac build

If you like this, and think more people should know about Opera Turbo, please help Digg it!

Pretty fly Dragonfly

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:45:37 GMT

Opera has a wide selection of useful features. Some are hidden (link), others are visible. Let me demonstrate how CSS and Opera Dragonfly can be used to get rid of unwanted content (a.k.a. ads) on a website! This example is from LiveJournal, but you can do this on any site you like.

First, let's have a look on what we want to get rid off. The large banner on top marked in yellow:

Fire up Opera Dragonfly from "Tools" > "Advanced" > "Developer Tools"

Find the correct page in the list of open tabs. Select "DOM" in the top- and bottom tab. We are now ready to track down the element we want to hide. Make sure selected "Find element by clicking" is enabled (small icon with a pointer):

Opera Dragonfly will also mark the selection you are hovering. Click the content you want to hide. The content "id" is vital to what we're about to do:

Open a notepad or another text editor.
Type in the following:
```
#ad-leaderboard { display: none; }
```

Save the file as "livejournal.css"

Close Opera Dragonfly

Since Opera allows you to add a CSS file to a specfic page, this style sheet is applied after all other styles are rendered. To do this, press F12 in Windows (or go through "Tools" > "Preferences" > "Advanced" > "Manage site preferences") and select "Edit site preferences":

Change the "site" box to livejournal.com. Go to the "Display" tab and change "My style sheet" to your saved "livejournal.css" we created earlier. ("C:\Program Files\Opera\usercss\livejournal.css" for me). Click OK and reload the page:

Enjoy! This approach is similar for removing other content on any page. Simply use Opera Dragonly to find the element

id

of a page and use CSS to remove/tweak it. :)

1001 Comments Challenge

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:29:41 GMT

We want to see how many on-topic comments one blog post can generate. To help a bit with the motivation we also get some sweet hardware gear if you wish to help us reach that goal.

All you have to do is comment in this post what you love about Opera. It's that simple. Everyone who comments will be entered in a random drawing to win epic hardware gear from Steelseries, who has been so kind to provide us with the goodies.

Remember, this is about mass participation. We've never received so many comments in a single blog post before, so please help promote this on your blog and other Web sites.

You can win this:

SteelSeries 5Hv2: One of the most popular gaming headsets on the planet.

SteelSeries QcK Heavy: The mouse pads are made of high quality cloth material, providing a precise and consistent glide.

SteelSeries Ikari Laser: The result of 15 months extensive research of ergonomics, technology, shape, motion, hand grip and play styles by gamers.

SteelSeries 7G: Sets new industry standards for gaming keyboards by allowing users to perform the most detailed and advanced key combinations to date.

SteelSeries iron.lady Siberia (Pink!): Developed in co-operation with professional gamers to ensure that the soundscape, specifications and comfort is suitable for long gaming sessions.

SteelSeries iron.lady bundle (Also pink!): A really cool pink version of the Ikari Laser mouse with a matching surface pad.

SteelSeries Siberia Full-size Headset (red): Red version of the pink Iron Lady Siberia headset.

SteelSeries Siberia Neckband Headset: The first professional headset to fully cover the users' ears, adding new levels of comfort to audio products.

SteelSeries Experience I-2 (white): Quite possibly the classiest mouse pad in the world and was designed for gamers, graphics artists and others who use a mouse a lot

SteelSeries S&S: SteelSeries S&S is a mouse pad researched and developed in co-operation with SK Gaming, one of the biggest organisations in eSport.

Rules:

To participate you have to post your comment in the competition post over at My Opera!

There are not many other rules to follow, except that you have to comment what you love about Opera. We will remove double posting, spam, trolling or flaming. We think you get the picture.

This contest will run for at least one week. If we haven't reached 1001 comments by next Monday (Feb. 16th) the prizes will get burned. Well, not burned, but we need to see 1001 comments in order to activate the hardware prize giveaway galore!

Ok, comment on!

Opera Fingertouch

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:09:48 GMT

Today we introduce Opera Fingertouch, a technology designed to make interacting with the Web easier and simpler on touch-based devices. Opera Fingertouch provides visual feedback when you hit a Web link, and assists you when you come across multiple links or other selectable elements in close proximity to one another.

To see Opera Fingertouch in action today, download the new beta version of Opera Mobile for Symbian UiQ, check out the video demo below, or read the labs article.

Embed code for your blog (just copy/paste this code in a new post):

<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tiVItBOFpt0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tiVItBOFpt0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>

Opera 9.64

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:53:07 GMT

Good news, everyone!

We released 9.64 today. This release is a recommended security upgrade for all those running the latest stable releases.

Changelogs are available:

Windows

Linux/UNIX

Go download it! Don't forget about Opera 10 coming to a computer near you soon..

In love with my browser

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:15:48 GMT

One of the most inspiring things about the Opera browser is the fact that our users care as much about our product as we do. The recent days have been a awesome example of that. With fearpage and Dustin Wilson leading the way everyone has done an amazing job pointing out that Opera delivers innovation to the Web, but also that you care strongly for Opera.

We promise to deliver new innovations you can not only enjoy, but also like us be proud of!

For fun we want to share a unofficial Opera browser creed (inspired by the US Marine "My Rifle").

This is my browser.
There are many like it, but this one is MINE.

My browser is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.

My browser without me is useless. Without my browser, I am useless.
I must run my browser true.
It must run faster than other browsers trying to beat it.
It must invent new features before others copy it. And it will...

My browser and I know that what counts in war is speed and features,
not the pages we load, nor the optimisations we do.
We know it is one browser for all devices.

My browser makes me social, even as I browse alone.
Thus, I will learn to love it.
I will learn its weaknesses, its speed, its security, its widgets,
its customization, and its features.
I will ever guard it against the ravages of foxes on safari.
I will keep my browser clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other. We will...

Before von Tetzchner I swear this creed.
My browser and I are the defenders of open standards.
We are the masters of searches.
We are the saviors of sites.

So be it, until there is only one true browser for the one true web..

Feel free to share your love for Opera with your friends and us!

Dead Snow contest winners

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:53:22 GMT

Yet another contest has come to an end and we are excited to present three lucky winners of our Dead Snow contest who had to answer three correct answers from the movie:

What's the tagline of Dead Snow?
Correct answer: Ein! Zwei! Die!

Who's the director of Dead Snow?

Correct answer: Tommy Wirkola

In a video clip, one of the actors is bitten by a zombie and is forced to amputate his:

Correct answer: Arm

And our three lucky winners are:

Konya: Winner of Dead Snow headset + official poster from the movie!

Ace Jon: Winner of Opera swag + official poster from the movie!

missevilat: Winner of official movie poster!

Congratulations everyone! We hope you enjoyed our little contest!

The Great Feature Train Robbery

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:05:27 GMT

An article by Dustin Wilson looks at how features implemented in Opera has been implemented in other browsers over the years — claiming to be first:

It’s interesting for me to see over the period of the past few years where browsers which have more users are ripping off features that Opera invented, sometimes over a decade ago. It’s not that they shouldn’t. They should because it makes their browsers more useful. My browser of choice is Opera. I don’t roll any bones about it. I don’t have a superiority complex about my browser of choice; it’s just better than everything else.

What's your take on it? Do you follow or care with who's first, or is it more a matter of proper implementation?

Endorse this on Digg!

Nintendo DSi Speed Review

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:44:33 GMT

One of the brains behind the N+ group over at My Opera, Ed Palumbo, has done a speed comparison between old Nintendo DS and new Nintendo DSi. The review is available on Nplus.

Help us get the word out - Digg it!

Dead Snow

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:14:30 GMT

A genre-bending Norwegian horror comedy

"Dead Snow" is the first Norwegian Nazi-Zombie horror comedy which tells the story of a group of friends who set out on a winter vacation in the isolated and snowy mountains of Oksfjord, Norway. Once there, they receive a visit from a shady hiker, who tells them a story about Nazi occupation of the area during World War II.

After doing their fair share of pillaging, the dreaded battalion faced a brutal and vengeful uprising by the citizens of the town. The soldiers who managed to survive the onslaught, including their dreaded leader Colonel Herzog, were driven into the hills by the angry mob, where they supposedly froze to death, never to be seen again...

But if the horror genre has taught us anything, it's that the raucous behavior and promiscuity of the younger generation always have a way of bringing evil spirits back to life...

Win cool prizes!

We've teamed up with the Norwegian movie distributor Euforia to give you a chance to walk away with a rocking Skullcandy headset and some sweet movie posters! Yeay! All you have to do in order to enter a raffle to win cool Dead Snow effects is answer three questions about the movie. Winners will be annouced on My Opera Friday February 27th.

You will get a chance to win the DVD once it has been internationally released.

Please note that some scenes from the movie may be seen as offensive. Viewer discretion is advised.

Browse Happy with Opera!

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:22:13 GMT

While curiously surfing the tubes we came across a small site dedicated to tell people's stories why they made the switch from Internet Explorer to a better, more secure, Web browser (such as Opera).

Unfortunately we saw that only one person had completed a testimonial why he made the switch to Opera, but we know there are more of you out there! So, we want to help Browse Happy get more testimonials. The best testimonials will be featured on My Opera, the official Opera community site!

To get in touch with us just send us a message! or reply to this post where you have posted your reply!

Opera desktop 9.6 launched today!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:31:45 GMT

Opera this morning introduced its newest Web browser, Opera 9.6, to the world! Download it now at www.opera.com.

Opera 9.6 has improved Opera Link, the built-in browser synchronization service, and Opera M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client.
* Opera Link now adds more of your browsing conveniences. Now you can access custom search engines and typed browser history along with your bookmarks, Speed Dial, notes and personal bar from any Opera browser.
* The built-in e-mail client Opera M2 now has a new low-bandwidth mode, so you can get the information you need even on the slowest of networks. You can also follow or ignore contacts and e-mail threads for more effective inbox management.

Opera 9.6 Desktop beta released today

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:32:19 GMT

Download it from http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/next/.

New and improved features
• Opera Link: Custom search engines and typed history now joins what you can synchronise with Opera Link.
• Feed Preview: Now you can preview an RSS/Atom feed before subscribing.
• Opera Mail: Low Bandwidth Mode is a setting on mail accounts that makes Opera Mail use as little bandwidth as possible.
• Follow/Ignore threads and contacts: Follow and Ignore are new features for users that receive numerous messages. It makes it easier to dismiss unimportant messages and easier to recognise important messages.

There are also changes to the user interface, display and scripting, news and chat. Check them all out in the changelog at http://www.opera.com/docs/changelogs/windows/960b1/.

Wallpapers (http://my.opera.com/community/opera/wallpapers/info/?id=1704) are available for download and so are banners (http://my.opera.com/chooseopera/blog/2008/09/10/opera-9-6-banners). Help us spread the word!

NB: This is a beta version of Opera. Please use it only on properly backed up computers.

Opera Coming to South Africa

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:21:23 GMT

To our fans and users in South Africa, Opera Software is heading to your way in August for a series of university seminars about the Web and Opera, and also hosting community meet-ups.

We will be in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. We hope to see you there! For all the information, check out http://my.opera.com/community/blog/2008/07/28/opera-in-south-africa.

Opera Mobile 9.5 beta launched!

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:13:49 GMT

This release dramatically improves the look and functionality of Opera Mobile. Some of the new features include:

•Faster — Mobile 9.5 beta has improved speed and performance over Opera Mobile 8.65.
•Pan and zoom — Opera Mobile 9.5 beta defaults to full Web page viewing and allows users to pan and zoom into their desired content easily.
•Improved user interface — The new UI is cleaner and more intuitive, designed for quick and easy navigation.
•Opera Dragonfly — Use your Opera desktop browser to debug sites on your mobile phone through the Opera Mobile 9.5 debug menu.
•Improved standards support — Opera Mobile 9.5 is the most standards compliant browser available
•Save pages and/or images — With a click, simply save pages to your phone.

Check it out at http://www.opera.com/products/mobile/.

Learn to build a better Web with Opera

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:30:00 GMT

Learning Web Standards just got easier. Opera has today launched its Web Standards Curriculum (WSC), a complete course to teach you standards-based web development, including HTML, CSS, design principles and background theory, and JavaScript basics. It already has support from many organizations (including Yahoo! and the Web Standards Project) and universities. The first 23 articles are currently available, with about 30 more to be published between now and late September.

Learn more about the Opera WSC at www.opera.com/wsc.

Opera WSC is also part of the larger Opera Education outreach program for universities, schools, and other education institutions. Check out the full program at www.opera.com/education.

Be heard
Let us know what you think, in our Web Standards Curriculum forums (http://dev.opera.com/forums/forum/11772).

Show your support
If you want to show your support for the Opera Web Standards Curriculum, link to it using one of these buttons (http://www.opera.com/education/banners/).

Opera 9.51 available

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:43:33 GMT

Today we released Opera 9.51, the recommended security and stability update of Opera 9.5 (http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/). Check out the Change Log for the full details on what we’ve implemented at http://www.opera.com/docs/changelogs/windows/951/.

Some of the more notable items include:
• Saving of images is no longer recorded in transfers
• Corrected a stability issue with Yahoo! Mail
• Fine-tuned the new Opera skin
• Improved drag/drop of tabs

Hope you guys try it out!

Opera Mobile 9.5 beta coming soon

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:23:13 GMT

The first beta version of Opera Mobile 9.5 for Windows Mobile is due to be released July 15. Check out http://my.opera.com/operamobile/blog/ for all the details.

Tell A Friend About Opera 9.5

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:47:12 GMT

We want to see how many people you can influence in downloading Opera 9.5. Create an event, group, page, profile, etc - basically anything that will allow you to gather a group of people on your favorite social network to help promote Opera 9.5. The group's theme needs to clearly promote Opera 9.5 and encourage download of Opera 9.5; people should join the group because they are downloading the software.

Be as creative as you want in getting people to join (keep it tasteful!). Feel free to use any imagery and videos located on www.opera.com to help you.

Once you have an event created, start promoting it. The three contestants (event creators) with the most members in their groups at the end of this contest will receive one of three great prizes:
* An XO OLPC, the famous $100 laptop, not available to the general public. A very cool computer!
* A Nintendo Wii. Do we need to say more? Easily the most fun and most accessible video game console available. And it could be yours!
* A mobile phone, perfect for Opera Mini.

Check out the details and guidelines at http://my.opera.com/community/blog/tell-a-friend.