Opera 10 nears final stages

Opera Software has completed its first release candidate of Opera 10, a browser that the company says has better performance, a Turbo mode for slow Internet connections, support for a variety of Web standards such as Web fonts, and improvements to the Opera Mail feature.

"Now, we are very close to releasing the best browser in Opera's long history," Jan Standal, Opera's vice president of desktop products, said in a statement. "We hope everyone who has helped us test our browser thus far will put the release candidate through its paces."

The new Carakan JavaScript engine, which is used to run Web-based applications such as Google Docs, isn't done yet.

"It won't be ready for (Opera) 10 final, but rest assured that it will be impressive when it comes," spokesman Thomas Ford said. He said Opera won't comment on the timing of the new engine's release until it enters alpha testing.

Firefox, Safari, and Chrome also all are working furiously on better JavaScript performance too, in an effort to make the Web a better foundation for applications.

The new Opera release candidate is available for download for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Opera has been available for years as an alternative to the dominant Microsoft Internet Explorer, the second-ranked Firefox, and Apple's Safari. It was pushed into fifth place with the arrival of Google Chrome. The Opera browser often charts new territory, though. For example, its Speed Dial feature, which presents an array of Web site thumbnails when a person opens a new browser tab, was first introduced in 2007. A similar feature can now be found in Chrome and Safari, and Firefox may add something comparable.

[unc0nn3ct3d]

If Opera could only overcome it's flash hurdles in linux I could see the entire community moving away from the painfully slow experience that is firefox

[pithenumber]

Firefox isn't slow

[FF2009]

slow experience on Firefox? I dont see much difference between the 2 when it comes to speed. I use Opera as my second Browser to Firefox.

[Mr. Dee]

Sorry, but Opera with its attitude and past mistakes will forever be the nobody of web browsers. When major players such as IE and Netscape were giving away their web browsers, Opera was charging to experience the Internet, ridiculous! Also, their annoyance in European almost delaying Windows 7 is another reason why people should avoid them at all cost.

[ibelieve01]

1) Even if it's "forever the nobody of web browsers," that doesn't change the fact that it is clearly the superior one. 2) Don't judge everything by the U.S. standards. Opera does quite well in other countries. 3) Netscape also once charged for its browser. Microsoft started the trend of giving them away because....well, they could. 4) It's ridiculous to 'charge to experience the Internet?" So you get Internet for free?

[Mr. Dee]

I pay a flat rate fee for my "Internet Connection", that's different from using a web browser to surf the Net. Opera was providing a limited experience compared to other web browsers when surfing the net.

[Efrow]

Opera was well worth the money at the time. Remember, this was well before Firefox and Chrome. Firefox came out in late 2004 - what were you using before then? Were you one of those people using Explorer and asking me what was the point of switching because Explorer works fine for you? One of those people saying that you don't see the point of tabbed browsing and mouse shortcuts? And pop-up blocking, what's the point of that, you can just close them? And Explorer is plenty secure for you?

Opera has had tabs since around 2000, mouse gestures since 2001. It was the best browser by far at that point, and well worth the money. With no free alternative, except the crappy Explorer, what's wrong with charging money for it? Once some reasonably acceptable alternatives came out, they made it free.

[erslo]

"people avoid them at all cost"? Are you serious?
Opera has always had a completely FREE version, and is still the best browser, ANYWHERE!
I've been using it for years, and it's still the only browser that give you the ability to completely customize to your own preferences.
Your problem is: you just don't know how to use it, so you bash it. It's a good thing that most users are smarter than you.

[ibelieve01]

All of you Firefox, Safari, Chrome fanboys, let me know when one of those browsers offers a fully-functioning email client, built-in notes feature that does not limit how many notes I can have at one time, mouse gestures, and a speed dial where I CAN decide which sites go on it rather than having the browser decide for me......Once one of them has ALL of those features, I'll consider leaving the clearly-superior Opera.

[FirefoxRocks61]

who needs an email client built into a browser these days? there's either Web-based email (GMail/Windows Live Hotmail) or there's Windows Live Mail, Windows Mail or Thunderbird.

[kirkpuppy]

Seamonkey comes to mind.

[bjingles]

opera rocks its simple fast and makes my internet experiance enjoyable. I hope the newest Opera works with everything.

[Rafshan]

you people in europe and usa use fast net lines,so browser speed doesnt make much difference i guess.I am from bangladesh,my download speed is only 16KBPS ,so i am bound to use opera only because of it`s speed....opera is faster than chrome.firefox or internet explorer doesnt come even close to opera in terms of speed...

[PRsurfer`]

Opera 10 is the best browser for me in terms of speed and practicality ...I've tried them all!!! Chrome may be faster, but it's simplicity reduces practicality!.... FF and IE are out!

What all browsers copied or will need to copy : (tabbed browsing,) Speed dial, Copy to note, password manager, Opera link, Turbo, Panels - hundreds of widgets, mouse gestures, speak, voice commands, Paste & GO, fit to width, zoom, torrents, feed reader, dragonfly... And I keep the UNITE feature for last which is really a powerful new tool which everybody could use easily...

Opera links synchronizes your speed dial, notes, bookmarks and history between your computers mobile phone or gadgets!.....Opera comes with M2 mail which lets you see all your email accounts in one place if u want!.... Browser comes with spell checker, dictionaries, customizable skins and toolbars...

I bet someday in the near future, the skeptics will evolve!...Opera is really the best browser and I ve tried and customized them all! ... I am a real web surfer and OPERA 10 wins for me..

[genel_phoenix]

you're right, all cool features from FF or IE or Chrome is originally developed by Opera firstly. still They can't beat Opera's stability.

[icewolf16]

Opera Rox. Tell me what other bowser is 9mb big as well as multi platform? (Besides all other features mentioned above)

[genel_phoenix]

Which feature that other browsers have but Opera doesn't? I found none. Opera rocks