Opera GX unveils major update with new customisation features
Opera has announced a major update to its gaming-focused web browser, Opera GX, bringing a refreshed design language and new customization options to its users.
Opera GX, first launched in 2019, has introduced its biggest update yet, which is said to offer users a greater degree of control over the browser's appearance and functionality. "Five years ago, when we launched Opera GX, people thought we were out of our minds, even though it quickly found a devoted audience," said Maciej Kocemba, Product Director of Opera GX. "Today, Opera GX stands out as anything but a basic browser, with over 30 million users and a highly engaged community shaping its evolution. This update gives users even more ways to make the browser their own—down to the very last pixel. It's all about empowering users with unmatched control and customization."
The update incorporates a new design approach named 'Underwave', which is intended to provide a sleek, game-inspired look. This design aims to enhance user interaction with added dimensions and intuitive navigation, elements keenly appreciated by gamers. Users can further deepen their experience with two new hero mods, Underwave Mod and Tech Mod, each offering distinct colours, music, and sound effects.
In terms of customization, Opera GX now allows users to personalise every aspect of the browser. Options include matching browser aesthetics with wallpaper, adjusting layout transparency, and integrating it with mods from the GX store. These new features permit alterations extending to splash screens, fonts, icons, and more, underscoring Opera GX's emphasis on a personalised user experience.
The modding aspect of Opera GX has also been significantly enhanced. With over 8,000 community-created mods and more than 250 million downloads to date, Opera GX continues to foster this dynamic user environment. The latest update expands options for transforming the browser's aesthetics and functionality. From live wallpapers to custom keyboard sounds, the modding universe now includes more areas for user personalization, such as sidebar and desktop icons and screenshot stickers.
In addition to these aesthetic updates, Opera GX has introduced features designed to improve user comfort. A 'MidnightFX' shader reduces blue light exposure, and a Forced Dark Mode extends dark mode to all web pages, offering improved readability in low-light conditions.
Opera GX also introduces AI-powered upscaling for images and video, enhancing clarity and detail. This feature is tailored for users of NVIDIA RTX graphics cards, promising crisper visuals and improved bandwidth efficiency.
To bolster performance, Opera GX has been equipped with a Multithreaded Compositor UI engine. This new technology is intended to keep the browser running smoothly, even when engaging with multiple mods and customizations, ensuring a fast and responsive user experience.
The list of updates for Opera GX is extensive, covering everything from a new design language to quality of life improvements in user interface management. These enhancements underscore Opera GX's continued ambition to offer a highly personalised, efficient browsing experience for its user base.