Opera sings praises of talking browser

Opera Software has released a test version of its next web browser for Windows in a move which could attract users from Microsoft, following another year of constant security concerns for the dominant browser.

The beta version promises to break new ground with new usability tools, which include Fit-to-Window-Width, Fit-to-Paper-Width, improved RSS (Really Simple Syndication) handling, start bar for easy access to main features, speech in- and output, and automatic update checks.

Jon S. von Tetzchner, the CEO of Opera Software, said: "We were preparing for the 7.60 release, but as work progressed and we kept adding improvements and functionality, it became very evident that we now have a browser that is so powerful, secure, and easy to use that it exceeds the next logical version number and warrants a major release."

The new version features voice technology, offering interactive, voice-enabled shopping and booking systems. Users can browse the web using spoken commands, such as "Opera next link", "Opera back", or "Opera Speak".

These features allow Opera to read Web page content and email messages to the user out loud. This adds usability as either a screen reader or an advanced dictionary.

Christen Krogh, vice president of engineering at Opera Software, added: "A browser is much more than what meets the eye, and to maximise speed, security, and page handling, Opera's Core and supporting code has undergone dramatic improvements based on the strict efficiency requirements brought in from the mobile phone market where Opera is a leading player.

"In addition, the new Opera browser comes with an update check function to ensure that you will always have the latest version for maximum protection and performance."

Opera claims that it has features that protect the user from viruses and spyware too, which is where Microsoft has fallen victim many times this year.

According to research carried out by WebSideStory, Internet Explorer's share of the U.S. market fell from 93.2 percent to 91.8 percent between early October and early December. Firefox grew from 2.7 percent to 4 percent, with over 12 million Firefox browsers downloaded since its release in November.

Opera and the Apple Safari browser grew from 1 to 1.25 percent from November to December, but it hopes that it will eventually bite a bigger chunk out of the market once its talking browser is made more available to users.

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