Opera 49 is now based on Chromium 62.0.3202.18

Sep 21, 2017 15:36 GMT  ·  By

The newest Opera developer version that launched today for Linux, Mac, and Windows computers comes built-in with a VR 360 player feature that makes the Chromium-based web browser the first to support 360-degree videos in VR headsets.

Engineered to be compatible with popular virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, the new VR 360 player is enabled by default and automatically detects an installed VR headset that supports Valve's OpenVR SDK and API. Of course, this means that the feature supports other OpenVR capable devices.

"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," explains Andrzej Czarnecki, Product Manager at Opera.

Opera says that they created VR playback directly into their web browser due to the limited software support offered to VR headset owners, which couldn't fully enjoy VR content and 360-degree videos. The new functionality implemented in the latest Opera 49 developer build lets them watch VR videos in their VR headsets.

No need to download the video and watch it in a third-party app

Opera's all-new VR player feature is a dream come true for many VR headset owners, as they no longer have to download the video and watch it in a third-party app. All they have to do is fire up their Opera 49 developer instance, connect the virtual reality headset and enjoy VR content, including 360-degree videos.

Of course, the VR player also supports standard 2D and 180-degree videos if you don't want to watch VR content in your virtual reality headset or the respective video is only available in these formats. To give it a try, you can download Opera 49.0.2720.0 Dev for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows through our web portal.

Opera will continue improving the VR playback functionality it implemented in their web browser to add support for more VR headsets in an attempt to offer users the best possible VR web experience without the need of additional software. Check out the video and screenshot gallery below for more details.

Opera 49 (3 Images)

Watch in VR with Opera
VR playback interfaceVR playback interface
Open gallery