Opera Desktop Team blog header

Opera Features and the Release Cycle

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First off, thanks for all of your feedback. With over one thousand comments following yesterdays release, we would like to provide you with a further explanation of our plan,

Our plan all along is to have three different streams of Opera for Desktop running all the time. Each stream will have an increasing level of stability. The streams will be:


Opera Developer: Most unstable, all the cool stuff
Opera Next: The work we are stabilizing for the next final version
Opera (Stable): The most stable build for everyone

We didn't settle exactly how often we will be releasing new builds in these streams but we can tip that you will see new versions coming at much, much faster pace than it was with the classic, Presto-based line.

You don't need to worry about Opera becoming a clone of something, or that you will be forced to stop using 12.x before you think we're ready. Our mission didn't change - we're going to bring you the best Internet experience. We are on the way to build the best browser out there. A browser that is not tied to the particular version number but is a continuously work in progress. Seeing your engagement I think we can count on your help and feedback.

So if something is not in Opera 15 stable - don't worry, Opera Next 16 will be released roughly same time as Opera 15 stable. And the time span between the two will be shorter than ever.

So let's talk about features.

We got a long list from you yesterday. Yes we made a list! As we have mentioned in the comments and we want to say it loud now - more features will come in future versions. Just to mention Link, themes support, geolocation and a feature rich tab bar to start with. Some are already in the making - just disabled since not stable enough just yet. Over the time also our settings/configuration will become richer too. And one more - Dragonfly is not dead though we cannot give you more information yet.

Stay tuned, and please keep sending in your feedback.

Opera Next 15 Released!Opera Next 15 update

Comments

JackWagon Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:19:25 PM

Do you truly intend to do away with bookmarks in favor of "Stash?"

Владимир Назаровirdose7 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:20:07 PM

Thank you! We awake to wait:heart:

s/ashslash4real Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:21:42 PM

Bookmarks. What about them?

ClashCityRockerclashcityrocker Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:22:02 PM

Are you saying that Opera Link won't be in Opera 15?, as the way it's worded suggests that.

It would be also nice to get formal clarification on bookmarks, what's happening, are they coming back or not. A very controversial move if they aren't.

I for one am VERY glad opera has lost all of it's clutter. Nobody wants to be messing with INI files and custom style sheets in 2013. The web has grown up, and now Opera has too. Opera shouldn't pander to the handful of very vocal geeks that want to steer Opera AWAY from mainstream acceptance.

János, Vinczevinczej Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:22:24 PM

Thanks for the reaction! I'm a bit calmer. smile

crash1 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:23:17 PM

m2 mail, side bar, interface customize color, bookmarks, link, content blocker...

Tuttle Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:23:52 PM

There is a lot of lost in terms of customizability, interfaces or shortcuts, even the integrated keyboard navigation.
Changing any webpage on-the-fly by looking the source code will be misses for some developments.

I just hope cool features won't die with this new version, that almost all from 12.15 will be kept in the final release.

Good luck Opera devs.

Predragpredrag83yu Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:25:06 PM

I can't open Opera Next 15 on XP SP3. Old Opera 12.15 is working fine. RSS would be great for feature start. up

On my other WIN 8 x64 machine new opera is working fine.wink

Daniel Aleksandersendaniel Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:25:15 PM

Originally posted by slash4real:

Bookmarks. What about them?


At the moment we offer Stash and Speed Dials.

grafio Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:25:47 PM

And what about Opera Mail cycles? To me it looks like something that is already planned to be killed, only you can't do it just yet because you would lose even more users. So M2 users got this "standalone mail client" that will probably end on version 1.0x. Please prove me wrong.

thefreeman55 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:26:42 PM

Originally posted by Tuttle:

There is a lot of lost in terms of customizability, interfaces or shortcuts, even the integrated keyboard navigation.
Changing any webpage on-the-fly by looking the source code will be misses for some developments.

I just hope cool features won't die with this new version, that almost all from 12.15 will be kept in the final release.

Good luck Opera devs.


+1
and thanks for sharing some info

ck-13 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:27:06 PM

We need bookmarks.
And the zoom in Opera 12.15 is way better the the one in Opera 15.
In Opera 12.15 the zoom resets after the close of the page, but on 15 it remembers the zoom value.

King Crimson Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:27:13 PM


We want all old and good Opera features back!
awww

knolle Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:28:23 PM

So where is the developer build?

Ghirahimghirahim Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:29:22 PM

I always believed in you. heart Well, it was kinda obvious, at least for me. Current Opera 15 is in alpha stage, so obviously not feature complete. Doh.

vux777 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:30:15 PM

themes?..geolocation?..c'mon... that is totally irrelevant
notes, sidebar, zoom slider (yes on status bar), customization ...those things made opera fav browser

s/ashslash4real Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:30:21 PM

Originally posted by daniel:

Originally posted by slash4real:

Bookmarks. What about them?


At the moment we offer Stash and Speed Dials.

I don't find Stash practical at all. Importing all my PrestoOpera bookmarks as SD entries will make Opera to load forever at a cold boot. Right now with 25 SDs is slower than 12.15. I can't even imagine loading hundreds of thumbnails and a page that will have a scroll worth of few meters.

Kilokiloza Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:31:36 PM

And now the PR spin begins....

/meh

Krissz5435 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:31:51 PM

Where and when can we try out the developer stream?

Alessandro Cassaràtouchmyhands Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:32:11 PM

Notes..i want it!

Christian WaldeXenoFur Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:32:34 PM

> Yes we made a list!

Show us your list.

Your post is rather empty as it is content-wise and does nothing to show what you are actually going to do in the long term nor engender any actual trust that the things about Opera that matter most are even possible to be implemented in a Chrome fork, so:

Show us your list.

ChrisCjcr Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:33:27 PM

No info about M2 ...

Hope you take note to this too p :

https://www.change.org/petitions/opera-software-asa-bring-back-m2-build-in-mail-client-to-opera-next-opera-15

Please sign it and share everywhere (forums, twitter, fb, ..).

Ghirahimghirahim Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:33:57 PM

What about 64-bit version, when?

Yogurth Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:35:29 PM

Nice to hear some clarification, at last. This should become the standard in which Desktop team communicates with the community.

I'm glad to see some of the features that made Opera are coming back, but would also like some clarifications surrounding the Bookmarks and Link. I have a lot of data stored in bookmarks details, and if these are not coming back, and the data would be lost. If that is the case, it would be an obligation form Opera team to make an utility to export all of this data into some widely accepted format, as I believe HTML export included in Opera is not exporting all of the data.

Keep up!

tisazalay Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:35:35 PM

Woot, I was lucky, I installed 15 over my 64bit Opera 12.15 and saw lots of changes, for example had to activate link to see my speed dials, also all my toolbars disappeared, then I simply installed 12.15 again and everything is back to normal. I'll add 15 on the side to test it...

Deeleresdeeleres Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:37:11 PM

Opera will be useless until it has this features it has with Version 12.15 or at least had with 11.64. This includes the Mail Feature.

To say something like
"Yeah, we will add this feature later again!"

is something like
"Here is your car with a new powerful engine. But we had to remove the windshield, the 3rd gear, the bumpers, the damper and door lock."

wannadance Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:37:19 PM

U should have talked about what wouldnt there be in version 15 for sure .The new version should contain most of the futures of 12.xx otherwise ull lose that 2 % in no time , within a few months . So publishing a stupid browser will make opera users switch , and having switched to another browser no one will come back to it after half a year . So there is no second chance for opera , there is only one . IF the new version comes before its time opera gets dead . No one will care about the second version etc . Neither will I .

Daniel Aleksandersendaniel Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:37:29 PM

Originally posted by ghirahim:

What about 64-bit version, when?


There will not be a 64-bit version for version 15, at least. Of course, we will want to take advent of 64-bit again in the future. The 32-bit version will run just fine on 64-bit operating systems, so it should not be a problem for anyone. (Windows Visa and XP 64-bit has some issues with the current build, but we hope to resolve these.)

tootbrush Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:37:29 PM

You don't seem to understand what the issue is with the lack of Bookmarks. Here's how I perceive the different features:

Speed Dial - sites I visit frequently and want to access quickly.
Stash - temporary storage for sites I may want to read later.
Bookmarks - sites I don't frequent, but keep in the Bookmarks menu in case I need them.

There's no overlap between them, especially when you consider the fact that I may have hundreds or thousands of bookmarks. Speed Dial/Stash don't handle cases like that gracefully and there's nothing you can do about that.

singlemature Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:38:12 PM

I have to say this will calm down the most of the angry fans,and I hope all your promise come up amazingly

Adam Minchintonminch Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:38:16 PM

Originally posted by Krissz5435:

Where and when can we try out the developer stream?


We are concentrating of getting Opera 15 stable delivered via the Opera Next stream. The Opera Developer stream will be available after we release Opera 15 stable.

Alessandro Cassaràtouchmyhands Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:39:10 PM

Originally posted by singlemature:

I have to say this will calm down the most of the angry fans,and I hope all your promise come up amazingly


+1 bigsmile

Satan D. Lucifersupertrol Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:40:38 PM

opera:config
UserCSS/JS
urlfilter.ini
bookmarks
Built In RSS
Disable animations
Reduce Installer download

Opera went from Feature Rich Internet Suite to dumbed down bloated feature poor chrome clone web browser.

please re-implement those i listed above and i can say goodbye to presto for good.

sabisan Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:41:21 PM

Thx for this info OperaTeam cheers.

Krissz5435 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:42:53 PM

Originally posted by minch:

We are concentrating of getting Opera 15 stable delivered via the Opera Next stream. The Opera Developer stream will be available after we release Opera 15 stable.



Thanks for the answer. up

Stein73 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:44:05 PM

Thank you for giving more information! I think it was a bummer not to give this information in your previous post, but, oh well... Much better late than never!

I will deeply mourn some of the features that seem to be lost for ever, I loved M2, but there is no way I will use it as a separate program.

I will nag for the inclusion of other features, for example bookmarks. I think it is a huge failure to skip them. Re-inclusion of bookmarks do not seem to be on your list, but maybe that window is not closed, so we'll continue to nag.

That said, I think I see the problem that Opera faced the moment they chose to leave Presto behind. The transition would necessarily take some time, and then Opera was left with two options:

1) To spend as much time as needed incorporating as many features as possible before "re-launch". They would then be in danger of creating a vacuum: Opera 12.5 would be more and more obsolete, and Opera would feel more and more irrelevant as other browsers would develop and be in the news.

2) To spend less time, release a "core browser" focusing on browser stability and speed, and add functions step by step. Doing so would put them in danger of p****** off the fan base. Which they have done, oh so much.

I personally much prefer the second way, but on one "condition": Keep us up to date and informed about your thoughts and plans. Of course there are things you'll want to keep secret, but still.... Opera fans are - I think - extremely hardcore and loyal. We "preach" Opera wherever we go! You don't want to loose us!!!! I think many of us are willing to except changes (although grumbling...), but not to be left in the dark.

Just talk to use (a heck of a lot more than you did in the first post about O15) and we'll keep the love and wait... smile

MyOpera team, please fix this!fearphage Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:44:50 PM

I really happy to see more frequent builds. I hope one of them is along the nightly time scale. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Ghirahimghirahim Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:44:57 PM

Originally posted by daniel:

There will not be a 64-bit version for version 15, at least.



Thanks for your reply. What exactly is the reason for this?

Tom DromeFavBrowser Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:46:13 PM

Please comment on RSS

JackWagon Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:46:18 PM

Originally posted by ghirahim:

What about 64-bit version, when?



Unless you're referring to Linux, a Windows x64 version would be highly improbable, as Chrome has never been 64 bit in the windows iteration.

M-Z Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:47:30 PM

A browser that is not tied to the particular version number but is a continuously work in progress.


Does this mean that - like in Chrome - when Opera (or Google) will cut out some good feature, the user will be unable to prevent from upgrade? You said only that 12.15 users will not be "forced" to upgrade.

I must say you lost a lot of trust when you pull a stunt like faking URL in speed dial entries. How can we trust you if you treat us in this way? When someone else does it, it is called spoofing.

Sagacitysagacity Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:47:33 PM

Today I noticed that there isn't option "set as wallpaper" when you right click on images.

d4rkn1ght Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:49:13 PM

Originally posted by King Crimson:


We want all old and good Opera features back!
awww

+1

Geoff GerlachHillbilly Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:52:14 PM

Originally posted by singlemature:

I have to say this will calm down the most of the angry fans,and I hope all your promise come up amazingly



Clam down, not likely. No mention of re-integrating M2 - essential to a huge number of users. I won't carry-on about bookmarks and customisation, it's been well complained about.
I am certainly not calm

XenoAntaresXAntares Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:52:18 PM

Nice to hear that. :)

I must say, as a user of Opera since versions 3, I can taste some flavour[1] of good old Opera in Opera 15! :D Hungry for more of that.[2]

The browsing experience is way above Opera 12, the UX has to follow suit.


On an other issue: How do we change update channels?

___
[1] Be it such tiny things like "." for inline search. Or the fact you didn't dump unique speeddial extensions in the wake of switching to Chromium extensions.

[2] Customizability: Most of all I miss easily (that may mean at least as easy™ as in legacy-Opera) customizable search engines (I don't want to use non-HTTPS google, e.g); keyboard and mouse layouts are other features highly missed; urlfilter.ini another one. RSS/M2 will be painfully missed but probably not re-integrated, as I understand it. We will learn to live with that.

Ashus Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:52:40 PM

Please Opera team, comment on the availability of RSS reader/M2 mail client as a plugin in the future (even if as a separate process, please do put it in as one of the tabs).

TheMajor Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:53:00 PM

I sure hope you can re-use some of the old code, because implementing old features from scratch will take 10 years.

Joggerr Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:53:52 PM

Will you bring back the bookmark? Or I should not hesitate to migrate on ff?

opera1215b1748 Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:54:23 PM

I do not know what this "geolocation" is for, but I know I could adjust Opera's functionality on per-site basis.

Why don't you say about the security and privacy aspects of v15+?

Robsonrobsonpc Wednesday, May 29, 2013 12:54:26 PM

Originally posted by daniel:

At the moment we offer Stash and Speed Dials.



Hi Daniel,

Could not use Opera Link in place Stash?
Stash is not very useful for various sites, is a mess!

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