Had downloaded this when it was released a while ago (uninstalled it as it was missing too much), and Opera (mobile/PC) has been my go to since Blackberry was still at large.
Love where the app wants to go... very fast, mostly intuitive, different (which is why I use Opera), and was excited to see a new mobile app.
Had recently re-downloaded it this past week, and I still can't switch over to it for full time use from regular Opera Mobile. Big ideas here, but sloppy, rushed implementation.
Listed quirks noticed in order of my findings upon launching.
With the address/search field, my keyboard (Gboard) doesn't recognize it's input as being a search/address bar (had tried with others). The enter key works fine to launch, however I have to manually type .com/etc. Not too big of a deal, but being accustomed to Opera Mobile, I keep trying to access the .com and there is none to be found
Holding the button to open the functions and access tabs actually slows down the browsing experience. You have now introduced a hold, slide, and release mechanism that is strangely tedious (compared to OM). I get the majority of the focus is on this and flow, but might I suggest just being able to simply click it? Or give the option for gestures? You created the search eyeglass icon within this menu as an option here after all. But no, pressing this button will take you to the non-editable speed dial page/search page (big quirk, that's what makes Opera... Opera).
I'll offer a few suggestions here.
Make it clickable.
Option to customize, and choose where it's located?
Add back/forward (not in the chromium menu).
Remove add to flow button in this menu. It's in the tab menu, and next to the address bar. Really overkill with another button.
Speed dial. You took away the part that made Opera what it is. It's what is seen when new windows/tabs are created, and it makes it easier when they don't move around based on what sites are used more.
The chromium menu next to the address bar? Just use the code you have in Opera Mobile. Don't be lazy. Copy/paste/adjust.
Bookmarks... Pretty sure you all saw that thread lol. I personally really don't use it frequently, but I do find things of interest every now and then.
Tab menu. Swipe left to remove tab? Feels weird, backwards, but guess it'll grow on me if this became my frequent browser. Real gripe, leaving me there in the menu when there's no tabs?? That's just silly. Take me to the speed dial.
Weird jump when the address bar disappears.
Side scrolling images/items to the left causes address bar to go crazy.
Aside from other bugs, I'm surprised there hasn't been many improvements in comparison to over a year ago when I had initially downloaded it.
It didn't tank.
But you put the idea before the horse and it got run over by the horse.
I would absolutely revisit and look closely at what your users want or need it is us that you want to satisfy after all. Don't need you guys getting blotted out by the Google giant, but becoming greater.
-cheers
