Opera has expanded its browser offering with the launch of Opera Air, a new web browser designed around the concept of mindfulness. Unlike traditional browsers, Opera Air integrates standard browsing functions with tools aimed at enhancing user well-being.
Key features include breathing exercises, meditation, binaural beats, stretching routines, and positive quotes, all seamlessly woven into the browsing experience. Additionally, Opera Air features a minimalist Scandinavian design with a frosted glass interface, creating a calming visual environment.
Opera emphasizes that browsers have evolved into essential tools for work, shopping, entertainment, and accessing web apps. With nearly 30 years in the industry, Opera claims to be “redefining the role of the browser” by focusing on user mental health. Opera Air is designed to help users “manage stress, enhance focus, and maintain emotional clarity” throughout their day.
Key Features of Opera Air
Mindful Breaks: Users can access guided exercises, including breathing routines, meditation, and full-body scans. These exercises range from 3 to 15 minutes in duration, with the option to set reminders for regular breaks.
Boosts: This feature utilizes binaural beats—an auditory technique where two different frequencies are played in each ear to influence brainwave activity. Boosts include options such as Creativity Boost, Energized Focus, Deep Relaxation, and a mode for dream recall. Users can adjust the volume of the waves, nature sounds, and background music, with durations that can be set from 15 minutes to unlimited.
Non-Disruptive Integration: Opera Air ensures that mindfulness tools do not interrupt browsing activities. For instance, users can continue browsing or working while using the “Focused Calm” Boost, which combines Alpha 8Hz beats with nature sounds to induce a state of focused relaxation.
Additional Tools
- Guided Meditations: Audio-guided meditation sessions help users relax and reconnect with the present moment. Various narrators and session durations are available.
- Smart Exercises: Real-time 3D models guide users through stretching exercises using the device camera for accuracy.
- Air Wallpapers: Animated, relaxing backgrounds contribute to a serene browsing atmosphere.
- Air UI: The transparent, adaptive interface blends with users’ chosen wallpapers and themes, offering a minimalist browsing experience.
- Inspirations: Motivational quotes appear on the start page, which users can refresh or share with others.
- Ad Blocker: Opera Air includes a built-in ad blocker, ensuring a faster and distraction-free browsing experience.
Opera Air also retains essential Opera features, including a free, no-log VPN, tracker blockers, and Aria, the browser’s native AI assistant, providing users with enhanced security and privacy.
Availability
Opera Air is available for early access and can be downloaded directly from the official Opera website.
Speaking about the launch, Mohamed Salah, Senior Director of Product at Opera, said,
The web is a wonderful space, but it can also be chaotic and overwhelming. We wanted to explore science-backed methods to help our users navigate it in a way that enhances both their well-being and productivity.