Opera refresh adds VR support and in-browser selfies
The desktop browser will now let you stream 360 videos to your Vive or Occulus headset.
The Opera browser has built-in image editing tools, selfie taking and emoji support in your pictures.
The Opera desktop browser was reborn with social media capabilities earlier this year, but that apparently wasn't enough.
Today's update adds VR support to the multifaceted browser, letting you stream 360 degree videos to your HTC Vive or Oculus headset, as well as any OpenVR devices. It'll also let you edit screenshots, add emojis and take selfies with your laptop camera.
The feature-packed update comes as Opera plays catch up to Chrome, Safari and Firefox, and the new features are part of the company's plan to rethink and modernize the browser as part of its Reborn project.
While tracking site Statcounter says Opera's market share is just 3.89 percent globally in October, Opera is reporting rosy numbers. It claims to have seen double-digit growth in 2017, with active monthly users increasing by 25 percent year-on-year. The company says use of its desktop browser has grown by 65 percent in the US, 64 percent in France and by 50 percent in the UK.
Other features previously added include built-in browser support for chat services such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and VK. Unit conversions were also added in a September update, making it easier to figure out time zones, miles to kilometers and more.
The new Opera browser can be downloaded here.
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