14 DAY TRIAL // Opera 45 is now available for download with one of the biggest overhauls yet as part of a project codenamed Reborn and which has been in beta in the last few months.
Based on experimental features that were first released in the Opera Neon concept browser, Reborn is supposed to redefine the browsing experience with visual and usability improvements, all of which are now available for Windows, Linux, and Mac users in Opera 45.
New features in Opera 45
The first thing you’ll notice after launching the updated browser is the new sidebar which integrates quick access to chatting services like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Telegram. To connect to these services, simply click their icons in the sidebar and then provide your credentials (for WhatsApp, for instance, you just need to scan the QR code as you do on WhatsApp Web).
The sidebar also provides instant access to other essential browser features, like extensions and news, and you can keep it pinned to the main UI all the time or have it automatically hidden when browsing.
Reborn also consists of a visual overhaul, with the browser now having a cleaner design, with simplified touch and subtle animations. There are new icons that are optimized for various DPIs, as it’s a known problem that some modern apps do not look correctly on high DPI screens.
Ad blocking has also been improved, so with Opera 45 you are getting full control over the block lists that are being used by the browser. The program automatically refreshes when enabling or disabling ad blocking for a specific browser.
And last but not least, this version introduces performance and security improvements as well, with Google Chrome-like warnings displayed when non-HTTPS websites are asking for sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers.
All these new features are available right now, so you can go ahead and download the binaries for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows right now from Softpedia.
