New Opera developer 49

l33t4opera

l33t4opera

New update - Opera developer 49.0.2705.0

"Today’s build introduces “Easy Setup”, which supersedes the previous “Customize Start Page”. It is not only a refreshed and redesigned view, but it also provides access to handy, all-in-one setup panel for new, or seasoned users to configure Opera’s features. There are also switches, that help customize the way Opera looks, including: themes, wallpapers, whether sidebar is pinned or not, etc. In addition, the most commonly accessed, and modified settings are included. As in the previous version, at the very end, you will find a link to full settings.

It’s worth to mention, that some of the configurations from “Customize Start Page” are moved into Settings (Preferences on macOS) -> Browser -> Start page section. Items in the sidebar can be altered with context menu.

O-menu history improvements

Recently, we reorganized the O-menu, to make it cleaner and more contextual. We also added list of recently closed tabs, and windows in History menu item. Today’s build improves the way, in which that list works. The most notable change, is that it is global. No matter from which window you will access the menu, it will contain the same list of tabs. This is especially useful, when you know that you have closed a tab, but can’t remember from which window.

Closed windows are now easier to spot. Closing the entire window with multiple – or even only one – tabs open, will place all tabs as a single entry in the recently closed tabs page. For example, if you terminate 20 tabs, you can later reopen them all under “20 Tabs – Window”.

Refined private mode

Some months ago, we introduced a dark theme in the Opera. Thanks to user feedback, we have improved the overall appearance of the browser in dark theme. We have now decided to adjusting the lighting for private browsing mode. Our original appearance for private browsing was a bit harsh to our users’ eyes, because of the very dark background color, contrasting against the light tabs. Now, private mode appears more like light theme mode, with an appropriately matched dark address bar. We feel this alteration is enough to signify you are now browsing in private mode (think that your URLs are hiding from trackers in the darkness of the address bar), and it should be easier on your eyes, as well.

Also, we changed the private browsing icon. The previous one, introduced in Opera Reborn, mistakenly suggested a reading mode had been activated. A faceless man, with glasses and a hat, will now welcome you to your private browsing session.

New private mode is available on Windows, and Linux.

Also, we fixed some annoying issues, such as Netflix not streaming our favorite shows, and we introduced a couple of changes related to HiDPI screens. Here’s the highlights list:

– Fixed issue with Netflix not playing videos.

– Fixed crash when closing private window, while websites are loaded through VPN.

– [Mac High Sierra] Fixed wrong tab position after drag and drop.

– [Win] Render battery icon correctly, when window is not maximized.

– [HiDPI] Fix for attaching tab to window.

– [HiDPI] Extension icons should be sharper.

– [Win][HiDPI] Horizontal lines in menus should be sharper.

– [Win][HiDPI] Search engine icons are sharper.

– [Win7][HiDPI] Checkboxes are sharper.

– [Win7][HiDPI] Fix for screen flashing, when drag tab."

The Chromium has been updated to version 62.0.3188.4.

\m/ :cheers:

A Former User

Lite disappointed so far with 49. So little new along with usual bug fixes. Start Page customization menu face lift?? OK sure.

But why not add possibility to have thumbs as circles? Or set custom thumb size? Or set thumb text/pic/etc from Start Page? (perhaps with the help of the heart menu)

What about the sidebars? Unification anywhere? Opera has GREAT sidebar extensions and more could be on the way, but Reborn sidebar stagnates us to FB Messenger, Whatsapp and Telegram... HUH! Nobody likes havinh TWO (2) sidebars those take too much screen estate!

Uuh snap is so great! Thanks peeps!

What next? Web panels!!! Split screen!!!

l33t4opera

l33t4opera

Hi @rudrick, you can change the title of a bookmark from the Heart menu: click on the Heart icon, click on the text below the thumbnail, and enter a new title.

You can also select, and adjust a picture/thumbnail for a bookmark: click on the Heart menu, and click left-arrow/right-arrow to select a picture, then when you select one, hold left mouse and move it to change its position, or use the mouse wheel to zoom it in/out.

Regarding changing the size of the tiles on the Speed Dial, it requires a bit effort, but you can adjust it manually in the Preferences file, under the "speeddial" section, as it is shown below:

"speeddial": {
       "big\_thumbnails": false,
       "column\_count": 11,
       "hide\_plus\_button": true,
       "hide\_search\_box": true,
       "tile\_height": 137,
       "tile\_width": 137
},

To make it more comfortable to edit, you can use python for pretty printing - it is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Alternatively, you can go to the Speed Dial, and press Ctrl+Plus/Ctrl+Minus to enlarge/reduce the size of the tiles (you can reset it to default by pressing Ctrl+0). Unfortunately, the disadvantage of this solution is, that it changes the size of almost every internal page of the Opera: Bookmarks, Downloads, Extensions, History, and Personal news.

As far as I know, there are already plans to reorganize the left side panels, but for the time being, there's no official info on when, and in what form it will be implemented.

leocg

leocg Moderator Volunteer

What about the sidebars? Unification anywhere?

At the moment they are two completely different things, ao merging them would probably require a redesign and some efforts.
Maybe when the sidebar is something more consolidated they will unify it with the extensions sidebar.

Nobody likes havinh TWO (2) sidebars those take too much screen estate!

I guess almost nobody use both sidebars. ️

A Former User

@l33t4opera thanks for posting - some of what u posted i'm familiar but there is good info, thanks.

With Heart Menu I meant that there is no access from Start Page to change thumb text/pic. Neither from opera://bookmarks.

@leocg we should not forget that the extension bar has some pretty great extensions avail at Opera Addons And Reborn sidebar has crucial menu items, so it's not like that people don't want to use the sidebars - but using them currently isn't the most convenient.

Sidebar consolidated? I dunno. More like that the extension bar is unified with Reborn sidebar. That perhaps might come into fruition by forking Sidebar API (merge) with Speed Dial API? I'm not sure though.

On Navbar the three messengers could be stacked and always the most active would be on top (if vertical space becomes an issue).

On Reborn sidebar the forked and merged Sidebar API could-would form a kind of a container/lattice/wicket to hold Sidebar API related extensions, either all ext icons inside the container vertically on the Reborn sidebar...

(bear with me...)

Or there could be just 1 icon dedicated to Sidebar API related extensions on the Reborn Navbar Sidebar. Clicking (hovering?) this 1 icon on the Sidebar would open a popup; a lattice/wicket holding all those extensions that the user has installed for Sidebar.

(for a tad more...)

Having all icons of enabled sidebar extensions visible at once (no grouping) would be the most ideal (usability wise, though no outline icons unless all ext-devs update to use outline icons :D) but vertical space could become an issue. Therefor:

Consider squeezing current and upcoming icons 7-10% smaller
Consider merging bookmarks and history... under same (but tabbed) category
Consider merging bookmarks, history and downloads? (under same (but tabbed) category))
Consider web panel(s) feature (reduces need of user built sidebar extensions)
Consider split screen feature (reduces need of user built sidebar extensions)

+++ web panel(s) and/or split screen feature reduces need to Tab Stack(!) (win-win :))

leocg

leocg Moderator Volunteer

so it's not like that people don't want to use the sidebars - but using them currently isn't the most convenient.

What I mean is that extensions sidebar is probably not used by that many users, even before the navigation sidebar.

Sidebar consolidated?

Yes, when it turns into a more known, used feature.

More like that the extension bar is unified with Reborn sidebar

Like I said it would probably requires changes inn the navigation sidebar. It would, for example, need to allow things to be added to it by an extension.

l33t4opera

l33t4opera

Hi @rudrick, when you hover your mouse over a tile, and right-click on it (or click on three-horizontal-dots symbol on the SD page, or a ball-pen icon on the BM page), you should be able to select "Edit" from the context menu, and then you can change the title (if by text you mean it), and also the URL of a bookmark

A Former User

l33t4opera yes but to change the thumb, text/pic in the thumb one needs to go to the website and then go to the heart menu to change the thumb and then back to start page and repeat for another thumb... and another thumb... and another thumb... surely an easier method is viable with little tweaking - for example heart menu for start page.

Oh speaking of heart menu I find it troublesome that when ever open the heart menu the categories are always collapsed.

l33t4opera

l33t4opera

New update - Opera developer 49.0.2711.0

The change log, and the announcement.

"Today’s developer build offers custom extension placement in the toolbar, allowing you the freedom to arrange your extensions. As with tabs, if you are one to have an abundance of extensions in Opera, this will be a handy way of organising your browser’s tools. Previously, extensions were ordered in accordance to their installation date.

We are pressing on to fix HiDPI issues, while also grooming Opera’s appearance for the upcoming macOS High Sierra update. These tasks make up the bulk of today’s change log, but you’ll find also other important changes in the update:

– [HiDPI] Checkboxes were misplaced, and badly scaled.

– [HiDPI] Auto-filing was totally misplaced after DPI change.

– [HiDPI] Dragging a tab makes screen flashing after DPI change.

– [HiDPI] O-menu’s context menu’s borders were missing.

– [Mac High Sierra] Search popup font was too dark.

– [Mac High Sierra] No animation on tab hover was shown.

– [Mac High Sierra] Broken drop target animation in extensions sidebar.

– [Mac] Sound indicator, and mute tab in tab menu were not accessible.

– [Mac] It was impossible to activate tabs of a certain width.

– Don’t show hint about new feature - dark theme.

– Fix for Linux crash, when enabling VPN.

– “Get more wallpapers” always linked to English version of Opera add-ons page."

The Chromium has been updated to version 62.0.3198.0.

\m/ :cheers:

l33t4opera

l33t4opera

New update - Opera developer 49.0.2720.0

The change log, and the announcement.

"Opera becomes the first browser to support 360-degree videos in virtual reality headsets! This new developer update comes with a built-in VR 360 player for leading headsets, such as: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and other OpenVR compatible devices, unlocking the immersive world of 360-degree videos for Opera users.

VR will change how we experience the web forever

The rapid growth of 360 videos, and soon WebVR brings an exciting revolution for VR content on the web. However, with limited software support, it has been difficult for VR headset owners to easily enjoy the fast growing library of 360-degree content on Youtube, Facebook, and other video portals.

So far, they had to use inconvenient workarounds: download the video first (including spending time on finding a “download” button, and waiting for the download), then quit the browser, and launch a separate player app. It wastes time and bandwidth on blindly downloading a video, that sounds ancient.

We want to bring the best web experience to our users. That’s why Opera has begun to focus on creating, and embedding direct VR playback into the browser. This functionality enables users to watch virtual reality videos, and standard 2D videos instantly, through their VR headsets.

A seamless VR video streaming experience

The newest Opera developer comes with VR 360 player feature enabled, and will automatically detect an installed VR headset. When a user browses to a video, a button above the video (next to Opera’s video pop out button), labeled ‘Watch in VR’ will appear. One simple click will engulf the viewer into the 360-degree world, offered by the video.

What’s more, looking around in the video, will no longer require the use of a keyboard, or mouse. Simply turn your head in the direction you want to look.

All videos can be played in VR

Opera’s new video playback will not only support 360-degree videos, but standard videos as well. You can launch any of your favorite 2D movies, or standard 180-degree videos through your headset, creating an awesome, personal movie theater experience.

We’ve been working hard with our UX, and design teams to create a simple, and intuitive user experience for VR headset owners, to enjoy as many online videos as they want to.

What’s next?

This is just the first step on the path for a fully immersive, and compatible VR experience on a web browser. With the ever-growing resource of 360-degree content from independent filmmakers, and major media and sports companies, it’s hard for VR capabilities to keep up with our imagination.

We especially believe, that VR synergizes with sport, and there is much to achieve here. We had a pleasure to join the Wrocław Panthers American football club at their training session, and shot parts of it in 360 video. Check out how awesome it looks with your VR headset.

To start, we want to make life easier for VR enthusiasts by providing instant VR video playback to your headset, without the need of additional software. We will continue to work with our partners to test, and support other popular models of VR headsets, as they enter the market.

Our efforts to bring the best VR web experience will not stop. We also plan to have full WebVR support, once this standard is more mature, and ready for great VR content.

Tips & Tricks

VR gear and software can be challenging, and you can get stuck on a few things. Check out this list, if you encounter problems with watching videos in VR:

– If you enable VR playback, but the video looks ‘funky & unnatural’, it means you need to adjust geometry, and stereoscopy settings. Video containers do not carry such meta data. Use the display mode controls in the player to switch between 2D, 180, 360 and cube projections, and additionally adjust the stereoscopy (none, side-by-side, or bottom-down):

– If you don’t have touch controllers, it’s still possible to use VR 360 player with Oculus. Use your Oculus Remote to display/hide the player UI with a click. With UI visible there will be a tracker on your line of sight. Look at the menu item and click with your remote to activate it.

– VR SDKs do not always correctly detect if a VR headset, sensors and controllers are connected. Always worth to check with apps such as SteamVR if your system detects all devices and they are tracked correctly.

– We have implemented OpenVR SDK support (and Oculus SDK support is coming next week). For now, if you use Oculus Gear with Opera, please install Steam and SteamVR to switch from Oculus to OpenVR drivers.

– Some laptops or desktops with a dedicated GPU (graphics processing unit) may not enable hardware acceleration for video decoding and will switch to software decoding instead. It relates to decoding VP8 and VP9 video formats hosted, mostly, by YouTube. We have not implemented this path yet, but you can force Opera to use your system’s dedicated GPU. Check here how to do that easily. Alternatively, you can enforce h264 YouTube video encoding with an extension like h264ify (you need to install Download Chrome Extension first).

– This VR 360 player does not work with phone based mobile VR sets such as Google Cardboard.

Others changes and fixes made in this build that are worth mentioning:

– [Win] “Mute tab” button was incorrectly displayed.

– [Mac] Updated bookmarks folder icon in bookmarks bar.

– [Mac] Choosing internal / dedicated GPU support was broken.

– [MacOS High Sierra] Exit full screen – black line between tab bar and menu bar.

– Allow Ctrl+C (⌘+C on macOS) while capturing screen to copy what’s marked.

– Show spinner while wallpaper is being installed.

– Fix for animated wallpapers in the recent wallpapers’ section.

– Update VPN icon in the address bar.

– Fix for pop up blocker.

– Four additional currencies added to our built-in currency converter: Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH, ₴), Kazakhstani tenge (KZT, ₸), Georgian lari (GEL, ლ, ₾), and Egyptian pound (EGP, E£)."

The Chromium has been updated to version 62.0.3202.18.

\m/ :cheers:

Deleted User

Deleted User

thought i'd tryout the 49 developer because of being able to rearrange the extension buttons on the address bar, but to my surprise when i go to sync very little is copied over from the stable channel. is there anyway to copy my complete profile over from 47 to 49? thanks

leocg

leocg Moderator Volunteer

is there anyway to copy my complete profile over from 47 to 49?

Copy one profile folder and paste into the other one, it usually works.

but to my surprise when i go to sync very little is copied over from the stable channel.

It should sync your bookmarks, speed dials, history, passwords, opened tabs, settings.

Deleted User

Deleted User

"It should sync your bookmarks, speed dials, history, passwords, opened tabs, settings."

that's all it does. was hoping sync would be like sync in chrome where everything is saved online, then when you sign in at a new location the browsers is restored completely. all of the above plus extensions.

i'll try replacing 49's profile with a copy of 47's profile. thanks

leocg

leocg Moderator Volunteer

was hoping sync would be like sync in chrome where everything is saved online, then when you sign in at a new location the browsers is restored completely. all of the above plus extensions.

Sync doesn't sync extensions at the moment. There have been lots of requests on this so maybe they will do it someday.

l33t4opera

l33t4opera

New update - Opera developer 49.0.2723.0

The change log, and the announcement.

"We recently released Opera developer with built-in VR video player, and today there’s another update ready for you to test out.

Smoother videos on macOS

Opera 45 introduced significant performance improvements to the video playback on Windows. Opera 49 makes videos better on macOS. You will get smoother playback, snappier seeking, high-resolution videos will load faster, and the overall video experience should be noticeably better. The new solution has positive impact on both CPU and RAM usage, as well as power usage. Improvements are more visible, when playing high resolution videos.

VK messenger added to sidebar

Opera comes with three messengers already: Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Telegram. Today VK joins that list. Users in Russia should see the icon instantly, while others need to right-click on the sidebar, to open the context menu and select it from the list. It’s worth reminding about the handy shortcut to show (and cycle through) the messengers with Ctrl + Shift + m (⌘ + ⇧ + m macOS).

Others changes and fixes made in this build, that are worth mentioning:

– [Mac] Icons in the right corner of the address bar weren’t aligned.

– Adblock/VPN pop ups were totally misplaced.

– Fix for “My sources” in personal news.

– Fix for cursor moving to the beginning of address bar.

– Fixed typo in experiment’s name #personal-news-notifications.

– Belarusian ruble (BYN) added to built-in currency converter.

The problem with personal news, that manifested itself last Thursday is already fixed. However, your configured list of sources is gone. We have extended our set of automated tests, to catch such situation before it becomes a problem. It’s worth reminding, that this is the developer channel, which is meant for testing the latest code, and unfortunately such things can happen. Either be sure to do a manual backup of your whole profile, or stick to the stable branch. While you’ll be adding back your favorite sources, keep in mind, that you can select sources from our catalog (over 8,300 sources), but in case something is missing, you can simply enter the site URL yourself. If there’s any readable web feed, Opera will allow you to add it to your sources. Alternatively, you can also paste a direct link to the web feed.

Known issue: DNA-64403 Crash on creating pop-up windows.

Test machine: Macbook Pro 17-inch, Early 2011, Intel Core i7 2,2 GHz, 8 GB 1333 DDR3 RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB, AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1024 MB, Samsung EVO 840 SSD Drive 500 GB, macOS Sierra.

Test methodology: Laptop connected to power adapter, brightness set to 100%, volume to 50%, automatic graphics switching enabled. Three different videos were tested (480p H.264 AAC, 720p H.264 AAC, 1080p H.264 AAC). Each video was played with #media-avf-demuxer flag ON and OFF. Ten samples were taken, using Activity monitor, and iStat Menus tool for energy DC value. Each sample measured as:

Run Opera with video opened in tab.
After one minute of playback, gather CPU and memory usage from activity monitor, and DC in value from iStats Menus (sensors tab).

Here are the raw results."

\m/ :cheers: