Opera Software has released a new version of its popular web browser. The Mac version of Opera 10.0 Alpha Build 6195 includes an array of general enhancements, as well as a few improvements to the mail client. Check them all out below, or by downloading the latest version of the application.

Opera 10.0 Alpha Build 6195 brings General fixes to loading web pages when clicking on a link while the document  is still loading; "Bookmark All Open Pages" action; skin color schemes – you can use your favorite color scheme again; the "Lock Tab" icon (should now be better visible on locked tabs).

The release includes several stability fixes, as well. Additionally, the new (Alpha) version of Opera boasts the ability to open mailto links in webmail providers, such as Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Windows Live Hotmail.

On the Mail side, Opera Software has improved message composition window context menu, as well as message encoding detection. Mail fixes included loss of mail drafts, if several drafts were open when closing Opera, sending link by mail in plain text format and several bugs in the compose window related to navigation and editing.

NOTE: Opera 10.0 Alpha is an alpha version of Opera: it contains the latest changes, but may also have severe known issues, including crashes and data loss situations. It is advised to use this build only on properly backed-up computers. Users should not install this Alpha version over previous Opera versions. Additionally, this release uses a database format for Opera Mail (and feeds) incompatible with Kestrel. You will not be able to downgrade to a previous version of Opera and use Opera Mail after upgrading to Opera 10.0.

Download Opera 10.0 Alpha Build 6195 / 9.63 Build 5261 (Free)

In other (web browser) news, Brian Mastenbrook has recently discovered that a hole in Safari's handling of RSS feeds could allow an attacker to capture a user's personal information, cookies, or even passwords. Apple has acknowledged the flaw, and is working on a resolution. Mastenbrook is credited with discovering multiple vulnerabilities in Mac OS X.