Opera 49 Stable launches

Opera Software released Opera 49 a moment ago to the browser's stable channel. The new version of the Opera browser introduces new functionality like a player for VR content or VK messaging support.

Existing users of Opera may run a check for updates from within the browser by loading opera://about in the browser's address bar. Opera should pick up the new version and start the download immediately.

The new version of the browser is also available as a download for Windows, Linux and Mac on the official Opera website.

Opera 49 Stable: What's new

The snapshot tool has been improved in this release. Snapshot lets you capture screenshots of the browser window.

The update introduces editing tools and a selfie-mode to the function. The new edit menu is opened automatically when you capture a snapshot now in Opera 49.

You can launch the snapshot interface with the shortcut Ctrl-Shift-5, or from the Opera menu.

The editing interface displays options to add arrows to screenshots, blur parts of it, use a pencil for some freehand drawing, add stickers, or use a connected cam to add a selfie before saving the image, sharing it or copying it.

Opera Software released a video that advertises the new function

VR Player

Opera 49 comes with VR playback capabilities. Opera Software notes that the browser is the first to support 360° videos played directly in virtual reality headsets.

Opera VR is configured to detect VR headsets automatically. Videos will show a "watch in VR" button when that happens, and a click on that button plays the video in 360° mode.

The company notes that regular videos, 2D videos or 180° videos, can also be played using the VR player.

VK Messenger integration

VK Messenger is the latest service on Opera's sidebar. It joins other services such as Facebook or WhatsApp, and can be enabled with a right-click on the sidebar and selection of the service.

The selected messaging services open in a sidebar in the browser UI. This enables you to keep the chat interface open and use the Opera browser to access sites and services in the same browser window.

New messages are indicated with a number on the messenger icon, and if you have configured multiple services, you may use Ctrl-Shift-M to cycle through them.

The sidebar can be pinned so that it remains in front even when you switch between tabs.

Other changes in Opera 49

Opera 49 comes with other changes besides the ones mentioned above:

- The browser's currency converter supports the five currencies Ukrainian hryvnia, Kazakhstani tenge, Georgian lari, Egyptian pound and Belarusian ruble in the release. You can set the target currency for conversions under Settings > Browser > User Interface.
- Extension icons can be rearranged now in the main toolbar using drag and drop.
- The private browsing mode uses a different design on Windows and Linux.
- Global history access on Linux and Windows in the Opera menu.
- Improvements for high resolution monitor systems.
- New Speed Dial wallpapers.
- Easy Setup replaces the "Customize Start Page" panel. It features important Opera settings that users can set right from there.

The full Opera 49 changelog is available here.