14 DAY TRIAL // Opera 11.10 has been finalized and is now available for download to the public. Unlike previous releases of the browser version formerly codenamed Barracuda, the latest release is designed for end users to deploy in production environments, and not just for early adopters to test.
Considering that the jump in terms of versioning was from 11.0 to 11.10 between the most recent iteration and its predecessor, the changes implemented in codenamed Barracuda in terms of evolution, are certainly more consistent than a .1 version increase would indicate.
The promise from Opera Software is that Opera 11.10 is faster than its predecessor, even better equipped to support modern web standards and sporting an overhauled Speed Dial feature.
“With the new, more flexible Speed Dial your favorite sites are better looking than ever. Speed Dial automatically uses website logos and lets Web developers make content tailored for speed dial. And in Opera 11.10 you can add as many sites to Speed Dial as you like,” revealed Huib Kleinhout, from the Opera Desktop team.
The Speed Dial revamping was certainly one of the focus points of Opera 11.10’s development process.
The purpose was always to let users seamlessly navigate to their preferred online destinations after firing up the browser or opening up a new tab.
Of course, there are additional enhancements introduced in Opera 11.10, enhancing performance and web standards support.
“Opera Barracuda features a fresh version of Opera's rendering engine: Presto 2.8.131 with support for WebP, CSS and gradient and a bunch of other enhancements. Opera's Turbo has gotten a boost as well and gives (even) faster loading times and better image quality,” Kleinhout added.
As far as the Opera Turbo evolution is concerned, Opera Software apparently “went all out” on an advertising campaign the likes has never been seen from the Norway-based browser giant.
The company spent a record $8,517.26 for an ad designed to wipe the ground with its rival browser makers a tongue-in-cheek video commercial which I have embedded below.
“We’re spending a fortune to make Opera, a household name. We see our competitors doing million dollar campaigning on TV and on billboards, and we’ve been so impressed that we decided to put budget into a little something-something ourselves,” revealed Kei Grieg Toyomasu, Director of Marketing, Opera Software.
“We risked a lot to share this campaign with the world,” added Jan Standal, VP of Desktop Products, Opera Software. “We even got a parking ticket. But it’s all so we can play in the big leagues with the other fancy pants of the Web. We posted our video on YouTube, so you know it has to be good.”
Opera 11.10 Final is available for download here.