Opera One Brings AI Power to iOS, Challenging Safari with Redesign and Free VPN
Opera has officially launched its AI-powered browser, Opera One, on iOS after a brief beta period. This new contender aims to lure iPhone users away from Safari with a compelling set of features, including a redesigned user interface, a free built-in VPN, a built-in ad blocker, and prominent AI integration.
AI Takes Center Stage with Aria
At the forefront of Opera One's offering is its AI assistant, Aria. First introduced in the desktop version, Aria provides a "revamped search functionality" with predictive keyword suggestions. It can also generate images using Google's Imagen2 model and create text from simple prompts.
Minimalist Design and Enhanced Browsing
Beyond its AI capabilities, Opera One for iOS mirrors the minimalist design of its desktop counterpart, aiming to minimize distractions by "intelligently hiding unnecessary elements." For instance, the top and bottom bars disappear for a full-screen browsing experience. Opera has also placed the search bar at the bottom of the screen to facilitate one-handed navigation and allows users to initiate searches with a simple swipe.
Privacy and Customization Options
Other notable features include a free VPN service, a built-in ad blocker, and extensive customization options. Opera One for iPhone is positioning itself as a serious alternative to Safari, leveraging AI, design, and privacy-focused features to win over users.
