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Opera 9.5 Alpha coming next Tuesday; birthday present to Opera CEO

Published August 29th, 2007 12:58 PM EDT By Daniel Goldman

gift.gifWe know you’ve all been waiting for this moment for a long time already. Well, it’s almost here. We’re planning on releasing the very first Alpha of the swanky new Opera 9.5, codename Kestrel, next Tuesday (September 4th).

Our developer and QA teams have been working on this for over a year already, and can’t wait to show you what we’ve done. We’ll post some details of what you could expect in Opera 9.5 Alpha on the Desktop team blog in the coming days.

This new Alpha is a special present to Opera’s founder and CEO Jon von Tetzchner for his 40th birthday today.

With the second beta of Opera Mini 4 due out tomorrow, this will be an exciting few days for Opera fans.

Let the countdown begin…

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« Desktop team will make an announcement about Opera 9.5 (Kestrel) shortly
Opera Mini 4 beta 2 released »

13 Comments

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  1. 1 Widget Aug 29th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.22 on Windows Windows XP

    Happy birthday! Cant wait for the 9.5 (and the Mini 4.0)

  2. 2 Ryan Wagner Aug 29th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.23 on Windows Windows Vista

    Looks like you guys have some big releases coming up! Can’t wait to try out 9.5 and see what resides in the status bar.

  3. 3 pdx77 Aug 29th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
    using Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.12 on Windows Windows XP

    Any word on the status of Opera Mobile 9 for Windows Mobile?

  4. 4 Daniel Goldman Aug 29th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.50 on Windows Windows XP

    pdx77, first we’re going to release Opera 8.65 final.

  5. 5 GrantTLC Aug 29th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.23 on Linux Linux

    Is it wrong to be excited by a browser release?

    HECK no! Kestrel sounds great - I can’t wait to try it out!

  6. 6 minisu Aug 29th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    What happened to W.I.R and R.S.N? ;)

  7. 7 EC Aug 29th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
    using Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6 on Windows Windows XP

    I don’t get it - if his birthday is today, then why’s it waiting till next Tuesday???

    We want Kestrel!

  8. 8 Jezetha Aug 29th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.22 on Windows Windows XP

    Great news! :)

  9. 9 avid Aug 29th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
    using Internet Explorer Internet Explorer 7.0 on Windows Windows Vista

    I sure hope 9.5 will be good. The compatibility issues with Microsoft sites is still a problem for me. May not be with others, but I use alot of MS sites and Opera’s issues still cause problems.

  10. 10 sadnalian Aug 30th, 2007 at 1:58 am
    using Opera Opera 9.22 on Linux Linux

    Happy birthday Uncle Jon!

  11. 11 blabal Aug 30th, 2007 at 3:07 am
    using Opera Opera 9.23 on Windows Windows XP

    Happy birthday to JON!and hope the gift wont disappointed us,wonder if the status bar being remove by me,will the “censored” feature usable.:)

  12. 12 Steve Barker Aug 30th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.10 on Linux Linux

    I’m not that excited - I like the Opera(s) I already have!

    9.1 on this vey old computer running a Sam Linux live disk, and 9.23 on my new computer running Ubuntu.

  13. 13 josh Aug 31st, 2007 at 12:04 am
    using Opera Opera 9.21 on Windows Windows XP

    OMFG! I can’t wait. :D

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Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.

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About Opera


Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.

Q: Is Opera free?
A: Absolutely free.

Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.

Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.

Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.

Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.

Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.

Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com