Avencius

Almost just in time for the new web browser ballot screen in Windows 7, Opera Software released the final version of Opera 10.50, one of the most exciting releases in a while!

Although this is for the first time in years that Opera Software released their web browser for just one platform, as the Mac release is in beta, and the Linux version is still in pre-beta stage (available as snapshots). However sacrifices must be made sometimes in order to have miracles. And Opera 10.50 is a miracle. For the last couple of releases I've personally been a bit negative, but this one makes up for it, it truly does.

Carakan
At the heart of all the enthusiasm about this release is Carkan, the new JavaScript engine from the vikings. Simply put, when Presto came, it showed that they managed to create a completely fresh rendering engine within a short time frame, while Mozilla crawled along for years. And now, after all the fighting between Chrome, Safari and Firefox, there is now Opera 10.50 with Carakan that competes and even finishes off top dog Chrome's V8 in several benchmarks.

Private
Opera's browser was the frontrunner at introducing the well known "delete private data" functionality, but was left behind when Safari first introduced "private browsing", meaning it didn't store any private data once the functionality was activated. IE8, Chrome followed soon, while Firefox delayed the 3.5 release just for this. Opera was quite for a while, but now they've introduced it as it should, you can browse privately per tab or window, surpassing the competition in your ability to control it.

Engine talk
Of course Presto has been updated to support new standards (and upcoming standards). One of the most requested is support for CSS3 rounding of corners, which is now available in this release. But Presto is also assisted by Vega. Although previously it was thought to be hardware accelerated, Vega is currently running in software mode (don't worry hardware acceleration is still coming), and improves rendering of pages (and the UI) much better than before.

Platform integration
With Opera 10.50 you can see that they've worked on integrating with the platform it's running on. Most noticeable is the new Opera menu button in the top left corner that hosts all the standard menus. But also apparent is (when the personal bar is disabled) the new tab bar which shares space at the top of the browser, similar to Chrome (if it must be said). On Windows Vista and Windows 7 it looks even sexier with an all glass background, as many Firefox users want to have (emulated with add-ons). In a few words, Opera 10.50 looks better than IE, and is on par with Chrome.

Conclusion
Opera 10.50 is more than ever a big punch at the competition and shows that (with a 24 hour release candidate cycle) can produce a strong release when needed in a relative short time span. If you've used Opera before, or never, you should definitely try one of the fastest browsers out there.

Making it all the more confusing, the Windows version of Opera 10.50 has been updated to beta 2, while the first Mac beta is out as well. Linux users will have to wait a little bit longer though.

So we have to betas on our hands today, first there is the second beta for Windows which should show signs of maturity. Much of the focus went it to polishing the new skin (which looks nice on any Aero capable Windows), stability, memory and performance. You can read more about the individual changes on Opera Desktop Team's blog, found here.

The more interesting build is the one for Mac, as it contains new stuff compared to Opera 10.10. But before we start it should be noted that a PowerPC build is not available, but will be in the future. Ok, now that's out of the way (who has a PPC anyway?), the Mac version has gotten some love like the Windows version as well. The skin has been updated to contain a unified tool bar while using Cocao for everything you can touch and see. Other new features include support for Growl notifications and multi-touch gestures.

If you want to try something new, or see how well Opera adheres to the Mac standards of GUI-awesomeness, you can try the new beta, just as long as you buy Steve's iPad.

Opera Software has released the first beta of the already attention attracting Opera 10.50. Although currently only available for Windows, work on Linux and Mac builds continue as we speak.

The new Opera 10.50 release especially lured the press by showing great leaps in the JavaScript performance space. The new engine named Carakan is up to 8 times faster than the previous engine, bringing it to the same level as Chrome's V8 and Safari's Nitro engine. Other browsers like Internet Explorer and Firefox are left behind, biting the dust (although IE9 will have some major improvements as well).

But Carakan isn't the first thing you meet. If Opera 10 was anything but a change in the UI department, this ten and a half surely is. Remember Windows Vista and Windows 7? Well, these two latest releases from Microsoft sported a new glass theme, called Aero, offering shadows, transparency and other effects. For the first time in a while Opera leaps beyond the competition, say with Chrome, to offer a truly native UI that fits your modern Windows' Aero. Aero Peek (Windows 7), Jump List (Windows 7), and a new menu bar under the red and white "O" button in the top left make it all look very sexy.

Opera always considered Widgets imported, and is pushing it to be as standard. While doing that they've also greatly improved its integration in Opera, by pushing it out of the browser. Opera Widgets now run in their own processes and can be started individually (after "installing" them from a web site). Say, if it's not your lucky day and the widget crashes, Opera, nor any other desktop widgets will feel the pain. Of course this also opens the opportunity to lift widgets to be richer applications than before.

Presto is known as one of the state of the art rendering engines found in web browsers today. Not only is it portable and fast, it's also loaded with standards support. In this release you'll find even more features from HTML 5 and CSS 3, such as video support and enhanced effects.

Another feature is the new Vega graphics library, bring fast and smooth rendering of both web sites as the entire browser responsiveness when switching tabs. Of course there is even more, such as a private browsing mode (finally!) per tab or window (even better than the rest!), modal dialogs per tab (thus not blocking the entire browser), and much much more.

Work continues on this release, especially on the other platforms (and their integration) as well as ironing out bugs. With Opera Software you're never sure, so in another beta we might even see more features. If you have Windows, go take a look at this big leap for the Opera web browser, while Linux and Mac users can always opt for the (more unstable) snapshot builds.

While the Windows users are enjoying the fourth release of Chrome, and Linux users were happy with extensions support, the Mac users on the beta channel had to be patient, but that is changing now, at least if you dare to use betas.

With Chrome 4.0 for Windows out of the door, it made sense for Google to upgrade all release to version 5.0, even while the Linux and Mac builds haven't seen their 4.0 release. How so? Because Google is still actively working on both releases to get them on par feature wise with the Windows release.

This time the Linux and Mac releases are first, after a beta of Chrome 4.0 there is now a beta of Chrome 5.0, which is basically a step further in maturing it for a final release (for the first time). This release especially puts the Mac platform in the spotlight as most was already available on Linux. First of all the one feature to get excited about is support for extensions. Now you can use the same Windows (and Linux) extensions on your Mac, to enhance your browsing experience, if you want to. Best of all is Google's security architecture, meaning extensions are sand boxed as well as running in separate processes. This in combination with the limitations in the API should prevent malware extensions, which plague Firefox. Another big feature is the bookmarks manager. I know it sounds basic, but it was lagging from 4.0 and has now seen an implementation on the Mac. Oddness is that it's not the same as the Windows version, but native? Other changes include bookmarks sync as well as the task manager and cookie manager.

Site preferences are missing from the Mac release, so you won't be able to tell which sites are allowed to run scripts like the Windows release, but surely this will be picked up at some point in time. My biggest concern is the use of Keychain Access by Chrome though (see issue 35351). This password manager, which is part of Mac OS X, is used by Safari and other applications to store user names and passwords. In Safari this means that after remembering it, the username and password will be automatically pre-filled in forms that match, but in Chrome it does not work like that. On the Mac you'll need to type the entire user name before Chrome fills in the password, and well, sometimes I have different user names, and typing it completely can be a pain. On Windows this problem does not exist and considering Safari just works flawlessly I hope the Chrome developers fix this for the Mac platform.

Other than that, the release feels solid as before, be sure to check it out if you're using a Mac and want something different than Safari, while using the WebKit engine.

Following our story on the iPad, Opera Software issues a press release about a sneak peek of Opera Mini for iPhone. Those who're going to the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona will be able to preview it.

But wait, isn't there a problem, like a big problem. Huge even. Yup, the folks at Opera Software have not yet submitted it to Apple for approval. Without approval it will not be a part of the App Store available to iPhone, iPod touch and future iPad users. The current way of goings with approvals indicate that "confusing" products like Opera Mini, that use different rendering engines than WebKit, are not allowed. Opera Software hopes that Apple will approve it, on the grounds of freedom of choice.

Not much else is know about the iPhone release, but those going to the MWC will not be disappointed as there will also be previews of Opera Mobile 10 for Android OS (yay!), Symbian OS and Windows Mobile. Of course it's popular little brother, Opera Mini 5 will show its face, as the chosen champion for almost any J2ME powered phone.

With the announcement made by Steve Jobs and the rest of the Apple crew it seems that the entire web was hyped or anti-hyped about the device. Of course it wasn't a surprise anymore that it would be a tablet. But the price and features make it a worthy opponent to the current Netbook market.

Starting at $499 for the 16 GB WiFi version up to $829 for the 32 GB WiFi+3G version, Apple wants to pretty much cover anyone. Whether teen, tween, or any other generation, the device may apply to you. For each their own, and such is the iPad, a general purpose device that Apple hopes to fill the gap between iPhone (smartphone) and Mac (notebook).

Looking at the device imminently reminds you of an iPhone or iPod touch XL, but the heavily customized iPhone OS, say iPad OS, in conjunction with the release of iWorks and iBooks makes it a new experience. Simply put, you might actually be able to use the iPad to write long e-mails, extensive browsing and reading eBooks. However being an almost a future device from either Mass Effect or Star Trek there is so much more potential. My guess is that the iPad will certainly sell well, but besides our simple needs as consumers it will also extend itself as a tool for medical care.

Imagine a doctor next to your bed reading your status chart (which shows a lot more info than a sheet), and updating it on the fly, administered in the medical care cloud. Before you know it everything will be dealt with and hopefully you can be treated, or going home soon with much less hassle. Or in the education you could see school kids not dragging heavy bags, but just an iPad with their school books in eBook (ePub) format. And of course their assignments are typed in, papers are send per e-mail and history lessons with text, video and interactive elements will never be the same.

The way we consider computers will never be the same. Let's face it. We are the technical people, sometimes referred to as nerds or geeks, or just enthusiasts. Let's not put labels on groups of people though. But what I'm getting at is that a large portion of people does not want to be bother by the computer, but wants to use it. A closed environment like the iPad is exactly what they want. No hassle, just go surf, read e-mail, or play a game. No weird errors, no difficult installs or uninstalls, no viruses, no other web browser but Safari.

Wait, hmm let me explain. I love Safari, I especially adore its engine WebKit, a love apparently shared by Google as well, hence the inclusion in Chrome. And with such a cutting edge web browser being even more widespread available, we as web standards supports cannot but be happy. But I believe that a free product, such as Safari, should be allowed to have competition on the App Store. Currently players like Opera, Mozilla and Google cannot participate because it duplicates function as a competitive product. Of course Apple does not want direct competition of it's iTunes, App Store or iBooks Library. After all that's where the money truly is. But a web browser with richer or innovative features is not something you should block.

Hopefully Apple will reconsider some App Store restrictions as they have with VoIP. As the iPad with WiFi+3G has no "phone" application (nor SMS), VoIP is a valuable alternative to have voice conversations. Similarly having the option of other web browsers on App Store should enrich the user experience.

Anyway, I'll definitely buy it. I really believe this is the device we've been waiting for to accompany the computer (PC or Mac). Over the years we'll see much heavier interaction between our computer and tablet. If you were working on a paper and want to continue re-reading what you've written you just drag it out of your screen to your tabled, and walk away with your coffee and tablet to sit outside. The Apple A4 SoC is already very powerful but new CPU/GPU evolutions is certainly taking place there with giant leaps. And once the LCD is replaced by some kind of Pixel Qi inspired technology (with superb colors, and refresh rate) you'll by all means have forgotten why this was even discussed at all. As long as Apple keeps the device open for alternatives, I have no problem seeing them as one of the major players.

The Mozilla Labs have released the final version of Mozilla Weave, the Firefox and Fennec extension to synchronize user data amongst all your Firefox powered devices.

Of course alternatives like Xmarks (formely Foxmarks) already existed for a long time, Weave is more than just bookmarks synchronization (although not really cross browser). Mozilla Weave is all about user data in the cloud, meaning your bookmarks, preferences, passwords, history and tabs. The beauty of it is that Mozilla Labs both offers the extension for clients to use with Mozilla's servers, as well as the server portion to host it yourself (for you, family and friends for instance). Of course syncing your passwords sounds scary, but Mozilla Weave uses encryption to make sure all your personal data is safe.

You can download Mozilla Weave from the add-ons page; in the future expect even more elaborate synchronization with the cloud, such as your installed add-ons (yay!) and a possible inclusion in future Firefox releases. Mozilla Weave is a recommended download for Firefox users, as it transcends both Chrome's bookmarks sync as well as Opera Link in form and function and keeps your data safe.

Well, if you though last week's Firefox 3.6 from Mozilla was exciting think again. Today the fine folks at Google released Chrome 4.0 in stable release channel, bringing a whole load of new features and improvements to the normal end user.

First of all you should take notice that we're talking about the Windows release. Linux users who are using builds from the Chrome beta channel have access to most, if not all of the new features. Mac users on the other hand will have to wait a little while longer, although a lot of features are available in the unstable dev channel for the time being. That being said, Google is honestly working on getting all three versions up to speed.

Extensions, extensions, extensions!
So what's so new and great about this release that should get you all excited. Well, you have access to 1500 new features. Yes access, because for the first time Chrome supports extensions. And in the Chrome architecture way, each extension runs as a separate process, increasing stability, security and memory management. Often heard complaints with Firefox that extensions would slow everything down or eat memory can now be monitored from Chrome's task manager (right click in the tab bar). Oh and the nicest thing about them, you don't need to restart, they install in one click and work right away. Of course the extensions range from good to bad, from mature to immature, but just think about it, they've only been available in the dev and beta channels, so a lot of work needs to be done to get those extensions polished. Several extensions to block ads, social networks (Facebook, Twitter) and mail (Gmail, Wave) are available for adoption.

Bookmark synchronization, and alternatives
So is that all, well if it would, it would be one hell of a huge feature to allow features, but there's more! If you have a Gmail account (or Google account if you insist), you can now synchronize your bookmarks. This way you can access them from any computer as long as you use Chrome. The bookmarks are part of your Google Docs account, so you can also access them from there. Of course the support for extensions also allows you to use Xmarks (previously Foxmarks) to synchronize bookmarks between different browsers.

Our beloved others
But what would Chrome be without V8? And so the famous JavaScript engine that ignited with Safari's Nitro the performance war was updated to be even more on the top. Mozilla's Dromeao DOM Core tests by increased 42% in performance over the last stable release and 400% since the first stable release last year.

Support for web standards remains important, and WebKit is leading the way with in HTML 5: notifications, web database, local storage, WebSockets, Ruby support and more. And last but not least full ACID3 pass, due to re-enabled remote font support (with added defense against bugs in operating system font libraries).

Other changes include: enhanced developer tools, Skia performance improvements, HTTP byte range support, "Strict Transport Security" support, and an experimental new anti-reflected-XSS feature called "XSS Auditor".

Conclusion
Google shows that Chrome does not only fly in performance when rendering HTML or executing JavaScript. They litterally throw out new and exciting releases on a regular base using a streamlined process. I believe this release marks the turning point where it can fully compete with the rest of the markt. Mozilla surely will have a tougher opponent now that Chrome support extensions, and for IE, well, that should be a piece of cake. If Google and liverage its own popularity to diminish IE used by the average Joe and Jane, by all means! Of course we all should help open the web and support Google in our own ways. My prediction for this year? Chrome with a (near) 10% market share!

All Windows users will be automatically updated by Chrome (or can go to Tools > About) as all updates are streamed to the end users. Non-Chrome users can switch, of course, easily by downloading the installer.

Google may be the biggest competitor to Microsoft on a whole scale of non traditional ways, but one thing is definitely true, they are pushing new technologies where they can.

Where Apple dominated the new wave of touch-screen mobile devices, Android is opening up the market by exposing a similar OS albeit with multi-tasking and customization. In the same approach not pleased with the slow development of Firefox (hey where is that new update approach coming from Mozilla, and why?) they introduced a new way of browsing the web with the fastest JS performance and multi-processes.

Today is the day that they push technology in another way, though with a sharp edge to it. We already know that HTML 5 comes with the video-tag and that there have been arguments about whether support for the different encoders should be part of the specification. Currently encoders don't play a role, and Google opted for the most superior encoder out there, but with a cost.

H.264 is the new standard to be used for Google's latest HTML 5 experiment for YouTube, but the thing is only Chrome (Frame) and Safari support it. H.264 requires that you pay a certain sum, and although Mozilla must have the money (from the Google search deal), they do not support it, heck they only support the open-source OGG format.

Anyway, if you have Chrome (Frame) or Safari, you can now enjoy the HTML 5 video-tag without the need for Flash, and with perhaps better quality at the new YouTube page. You can opt-in here if you have a supported browser.