Opera's redesigned browser for Android goes into beta

After taking time to redesign its browser from the ground up, Opera Software has readied for beta testing its all-new mobile browser for Android devices.

 

Opera's new browser, demonstrated at Mobile World Congress, may be downloaded from Google Play Store, enthusiast site Android Police reported.

 

"The biggest draw in this new release is the WebKit rendering engine, the same one used by both Chrome and the AOSP Android browser. While opinions vary, it's generally regarded as the fastest option around, routinely beating competitors like Mozilla's Gecko and Opera's former engine, Presto," it said.

 

It also said the user interface now sports a clean navigation layout and focuses on gestures instead of buttons, though it also noted a hint of iOS in the browser's appearance.

 

Another feature is "Off-Road Mode," a user-selectable option that can use server caching to save on bandwidth.

 

Other features include pop-up blocking, a download manager, and syncing for bookmarks and settings.  — ELR, GMA News