New Vivaldi Browser Aims At Tech Savvy Users
Software maker Jon von Tetzchner launched a new internet browser on Tuesday, designed more to attract users of fifth-place Opera than to dethrone leading browsers like Google's Chrome. Known as Vivaldi and available on desktop computers from Tuesday, the browser's initial launch covers the Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.
Jon S. von Tetzchner, Vivaldi's chief executive and co-founder, believes there's room for a new internet browser in the market. Tetzchner formerly held jobs at Opera Software.
"Most browsers makers in the market are trying to make a limited browser, maybe with extensions. But that is not what everyone wants," von Tetzchner said. "As an example, there are still about 20 million people still using Opera 12, even though that browser is more than 3 years old. There is a need for a browser for the tech user, the user that wants more from their browser."
The new browser has features like personalized notes, bookmarks with small screen shots and speed dials with options for multiple groups and folders. Vivaldi Technical Preview 1 includes an interface for issuing written commands; notes that let people annotate Web pages with tags and screenshots; and tab stacks to help people with lots of browser tabs stay organized.
Vivaldi has also signed a few affiliation deals ahead of the launch and is in talks with several potential partners for functionalities like search and online shopping.