Web notification support is now enabled in the latest developer build of the Chromium-based Opera web browser.
But while Opera shares a codebase with Chromium it doesn’t import all of its features ad-hoc. In a stark contrast to Chrome, which uses a custom notification system, the Norwegian makers of Opera have implemented the W3 specification to deliver alerts through the native OS messaging system.
This means Opera 25 delivers alerts and updates from supported websites and extensions, including Gmail, using toasts on Windows 8, and through the Mac OS X Notification Center introduced in Mountain Lion.
Experimental Features
Desktop toasts are not the only notable feature addition available to play with in Opera Developer 25. Hidden behind a flag is a significant refinements to the browser’s built-in bookmarking system. When enabled, it sees the unpopular “Stash” feature of prior releases upgraded to a more traditional, folder based bookmarking system.
While different in layout and flow it remains every bit as visually rich as its predecessor, and even borrows a few design cues from Google’s as-yet unreleased ‘Stars’ extension for Chrome.
Also loitering behind a flag is a new-look startup page that has more than a nod to the Opera Mini mobile browser.
Other changes include:
- Network installer (Mac; full offline installer still available)
- Support for MP3, H.264 and MOV files (select platforms)
- Various HiDPI improvements on Windows and Linux
- Pepper Flash path detection on Linux builds
- Opera 24 launcher Unity Launcher bug fix
- New Tab Preview settings
- ‘About Opera’ in Help menu added to Unity
- Fade out effect on tab titles
A full change log is available to view on blogs.opera.com/desktop/changelog-25, while Opera (Developer) itself can be downloaded free for Windows, Mac and Linux (64bit only) from the official website, linked to below.
- Source: Opera Blog