Oslo, Norway – April 10th, 2024 – Norwegian browser innovator Opera [NASDAQ: OPRA] reported 63% growth in monthly new users for Opera for iOS across Europe from February to March 2024. Furthermore, Opera is increasingly being chosen as the default browser on iOS, with 39% growth from March 3rd until April 4th. The news, which follows a significant spike of new users immediately after March 6th, underscores the positive impact of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) – an EU regulation promoting fair competition and user choice – and is a testament to Europeans’ eagerness to express their preference and explore alternative browsers. “As a challenger browser, Opera has always had to work hard to stand out in an uneven marketplace,” said Jorgen Arnsen, EVP Mobile at Opera. “Now that the DMA regulation is working to even the playing field, we’re excited to see that it has become easier for users to express their browser choice and for that choice to be respected.” The number of monthly new users of Opera for iOS across Europe has increased a substantial 63% from February to March 2024: France recorded the most significant gain of 146%, with Germany next at 57%, followed by Spain with 50%, Poland with 45%, and Italy with 20%. Also, the number of Opera for iOS organic users who have selected Opera as their default browser has risen 39% across Europe between March 3rd and April 4th. The increase reflects how effective the DMA ballot has been in allowing users to opt out of pre-installed browsers, and instead select their favorite as the default. These figures underscore the effectiveness of the DMA in working to level the playing field, and highlight the strength of Opera’s appeal to mobile users across Europe. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Opera remains committed to leading the charge in browser innovation, offering users a secure, fast, and personalized web experience. With features like built-in ad and tracker blockers, a free VPN, and an innovative browser AI, Aria, Opera is the best alternative browser out there. Experience the future of browsing – switch to Opera now! About Opera Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA”. Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. | ↑ |
Netrunners welcome to experience a fully customized digital landscape OSLO, Norway – April 10, 2024 – Opera GX, the browser for gamers, makes a name for itself in Night City with today’s debut of the official Cyberpunk 2077 browser mod, created in collaboration with CD PROJEKT RED. This mod is the first official gaming partnership to hit the GX.store, and a must-have for rookie and veteran netrunners alike, bringing the sights and lights of Night City straight to their browsers. Available for free to all Opera GX users, the Cyberpunk 2077 mod swaps out the browser’s regular appearance with a full-featured suite of customizations, including:
 Opera GX allows precise browser operations, from CPU and memory usage to RAM and network bandwidth limiters. It also has built-in ad-blocking and VPN features, among other features, for a better browsing experience whether you’re a seasoned netrunner or not! “Do we even need to say how excited we are to include Cyberpunk 2077’s genre-defining aesthetics into Opera GX?” said Maciej Kocemba, product director at Opera. “The tools we offer our users to control their digital lives make all of them a netrunner in their own right, so their browser should look the part for a well-rounded, immersive experience straight out of Night City.” The Cyberpunk 2077 mod is available now exclusively on Opera GX through the GX.store. To stay up-to-date on Opera GX, download the browser, follow @operagxofficial on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, join its official Discord community, and subscribe to Opera GX’s YouTube channel. For more information on all things Cyberpunk 2077, visit the official website, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). About Opera GX Browser developed by Opera [NASDAQ: OPRA]. Since its inception in 2019, Opera GX has quickly become the browser of choice for millions of gamers seeking a more custom internet experience. Along with countless customization options including color themes, sound effects, background music, and a gaming-inspired design, GX includes CPU, RAM and Network Bandwidth limiters that make the browser less resource-hungry and leave more of the computer’s resources for gaming. The browser also includes a Hot Tabs Killer feature, which lets users kill the most resource-draining tabs, and GX Cleaner to purge those old unwanted files. About CD PROJEKT RED CD PROJEKT RED is a game development studio founded in 2002. It develops and publishes video games for PCs and video game consoles. The studio’s flagship titles include the futuristic RPG Cyberpunk 2077, its spy-thriller expansion Phantom Liberty, and The Witcher series of games, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and its two expansions. In collaboration with Studio Trigger, CD PROJEKT RED also created the award-winning Netflix anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, set in the same universe as the game. Other games developed by the studio include Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales and GWENT: The Witcher Card Game. Together with GOG.COM, a game store offering hand-picked titles for PC and Mac, CD PROJEKT RED is part of the CD PROJEKT Group. CD PROJEKT S.A. is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ISIN: PLOPTTC00011). About Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberpunk 2077 is a narrative-driven, open-world RPG set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour, and body modification. The game tells the multilayered, mature story of cyber-enhanced mercenary V. Players are faced with choices and consequences as they customize their character and playstyle, take on jobs, and build their reputation. The game has sold over 25 million copies and won over 200 awards, and is also the inspiration for the award-winning Netflix anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, created by CD PROJEKT RED in collaboration with Studio Trigger. Its spy-thriller expansion Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty was released on September 26, 2023 to critical acclaim and has sold over 5 million copies. Cyberpunk 2077 is set in the universe of the classic pen & paper RPG system, Cyberpunk 2020. | ↑ |
April 8, 2024 – Oslo, Norway – Opera – the company behind the popular mobile browser, Opera Mini – announces a significant landmark in Nigeria: In 2023, Mini users have benefited from over 3,760 TB of free data, which equates to nearly 5 billion Naira in cost savings.* Moreover, Opera Mini simultaneously extends the lifespan of the user’s data with unique data saving technology, allowing the bundle to last up to 10 times longer. This is a testament to Opera Mini’s role in bridging the digital divide and making the internet accessible and affordable for millions. In Nigeria, around 60% of the population lives under the poverty line, some with a monthly salary as low as 90,000 NGN – in which case, a monthly data package of 20GB would consume 12% of their income. “Opera’s journey in Nigeria is a clear reflection of our vision: to break down barriers and make the web accessible to everyone,” said Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera. “The nearly 5 billion Naira saved represents more than just economic value – it symbolizes tens of millions of Nigerians being able to invest in themselves and their personal development.” Bridging the Digital Divide with Unprecedented SavingsFor years, Opera Mini has served as the first portal to the web for many, recently celebrating a milestone of 1 billion downloads across the world. Nevertheless, the internet penetration rate stands at 55% in Nigeria, demonstrating that a significant digital divide still exists. By implementing its Africa First strategy – in which the company has pledged to invest over $100M dollars to support digitization across the continent – Opera continues to work to bridge the gap and enhance connectivity. Opera Mini has been a key aspect of the company’s efforts. A lightweight mobile browser designed with local needs in mind through its unique data compression technology, reduces data usage by up to 90%, so 1.5GB can last up to 10 times longer on Opera Mini than when using other browsers. Opera has furthermore partnered with telco giants such as Airtel and MTN to offer free data campaigns, in which Opera Mini users can benefit from up to 1.5GB of free data every month. Over 3.5 million users have participated in the popular free data campaigns, bolstering digital inclusion across Africa. A Single Vision: Empowering MillionsThough Opera Mini has achieved the milestone of 1 billion downloads in the Google Play Store, its success extends beyond numbers – rather, it is about the impact on individuals and communities. By providing affordable access to information, the data-saving mobile browser has enabled significant opportunity and empowerment, especially in countries where data prices are especially high. Featuring data compression technology, as well as provides PIN-protected downloads, offline access to web pages, and much more. Download Opera Mini and experience faster, more affordable internet. About Opera Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use the Opera web browsers’ unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA.” Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. Learn more about Opera at investor.opera.com and on X @InvestorOpera *In 2023, Opera gave away 3,760TB (3,850,055 GB or 3,942,455,968 MB) of data through free data campaigns in Nigeria. An average retail bundle of 40MB is 50 NGN. Per MB, that is 1.25 NGN. For 3,760 TB (or 3,942,455,968), 4,928,069,960 NGN (rounded to 5B NGN). | ↑ |
Oslo, Norway – April 3rd, 2024 – Browser innovator Opera announced today that it’s adding experimental support for 150 local LLM (Large Language Model) variants from approximately 50 families of models to its Opera One browser in developer stream. This step marks the first time local LLMs can be easily accessed and managed from a major browser through a built-in feature. The local AI models are a complimentary addition to Opera’s online Aria AI service. Among the supported local LLMs are:
 Using Local Large Language Models means users’ data is kept locally on their device, allowing them to use generative AI without the need to send information to a server. Opera is testing this new set of local LLMs in the developer stream of Opera One as part of its new AI Feature Drops Program, which allows early adopters to test early, often experimental versions of the browser’s AI feature set. As of today, the Opera One Developer users are getting the opportunity to select the model they want to process their input with. To test the models, they have to upgrade to the newest version of Opera Developer and follow several steps to activate the new feature. Choosing a local LLM will then download it to their machine. The local LLM, which typically requires 2-10 GB of local storage space per variant, will then be used instead of Aria, Opera’s native browser AI, until a user starts a new chat with the AI or switches Aria back on. “Introducing Local LLMs in this way allows Opera to start exploring ways of building experiences and knowhow within the fast-emerging local AI space,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers and Gaming at Opera.  Track record or innovation in the AI space In early 2023, Opera presented Opera One, its AI-centric flagship browser based on Modular Design principles and a new browser architecture with a multithreaded compositor that allows for a smoother-than-ever processing of UX elements. Opera One features the Aria browser AI, which can be accessed via the browser sidebar of the browser command line. Aria is also available in the gamer-centric Opera GX, as well as in Opera browser on iOS and Android. To test local LLMs in Opera One Developer, go here. About Opera | ↑ |
Use Opera GX browser and turn any YouTube content into a “reaction” show starring your favorite content creators or yourself. OSLO, Norway – March 27, 2024 – Ever left speechless, grossed out, or just plain confused by a YouTube video, unsure how to react? Us too. Opera GX, the browser for gamers, has the solution. Through our latest feature, the “Reaktinator,” users can now add their own videos to create different reaction variants while watching YouTube. Unleash energetic reactions from some of the internet’s most famous faces, including Charlie/Penguinz0, JimmyHere, Jschlatt and Pyrocynical, but the fun doesn’t end there. Upload any video or short clip (with or without sound!) to the browser to become a reaction, including self-recorded videos or clips from old family archives. Reaktinator transforms any online video into hilarious communal experiences, with the ability to load up as many reactions users want, with or without sound, as long as each file is up to 10MB. Once activated, Reaktinator will pop up at the top corner of users’ YouTube video of choice, allowing users to make instant meme edits for all of the platform’s content, from the most ancient cat videos to the freshest breaking news.  “Reaktinator started as a joke we made about the popularity of reaction videos online,” said Maciej Kocemba, Product Director at Opera. “We never expected a tweet about a then non-existing feature to be so well received – and encouraged! After an overwhelming community response filled with suggestions, we finally brought the Reaktinator to life!” To activate the Reaktinator (Beta ver.) – simply load up a YouTube video and hit the command CTRL + Shift + R for Windows PC or Command + Shift + R for macOS. To stay up-to-date on Opera GX, download the browser, follow @operagxofficial on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, join its official Discord community, and subscribe to Opera GX’s YouTube channel. About Opera GX Since its inception in 2019, Opera GX has quickly become the browser of choice for millions of gamers seeking a more custom internet experience. Along with countless customization options including color themes, sound effects, background music, and a gaming-inspired design, GX includes CPU, RAM and Network Bandwidth limiters that make the browser less resource-hungry and leave more of the computer’s resources for gaming. The browser also includes a Hot Tabs Killer feature, which lets users kill the most resource-draining tabs, and GX Cleaner to purge those old unwanted files. | ↑ |
March 18th, 2024 – Oslo, Norway – Since the Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect on March 7th, the European Union’s nearly 400 million smartphone users have begun to see a ballot screen asking them to choose their default browser on their Android or iOS mobile device. The company’s flagship browser Opera for iOS – a European-made alternative browser that has long challenged the default – subsequently saw a 164% increase in new users from March 5th to the 7th, as users started to be prompted to choose for themselves. “The day the ballot screen started to appear, we saw a spike in the growth of our daily active users, especially for Opera for iOS. We see this as indicative of two things: for one, the importance of regulation to provide a more level playing field, and for another, that users are hungry for new and innovative products that can deliver a superior online experience,” said Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera. The inflow of new users to Opera’s mobile browsers, Opera for Android and Opera for iOS, jumped significantly across core EU markets. Opera for iOS fared especially well, with an uplift of 402% – or a growth of five times – in France, 143% in Spain, as well as 68% and 56% in Poland and Germany, respectively. The results indicate that iOS users have been eager for a change and are taking the opportunity to switch to other, more user-centric platforms such as Opera. Opera for Android has likewise seen significant growth – particularly in France, where the inflow of new users increased by 54% on the day the ballot screen started to be introduced. The results agree with the findings of a survey* Opera conducted among European smartphone users prior to March 6th, which found that 8 out of 10 were open to testing a new browser. Furthermore, there was almost universal agreement among those surveyed on the importance of having more choice and transparency when choosing their preferred browser. Opera for Android and Opera for iOS are powerful browsers that forefront a speedy, secure, and user-centric experience. Both feature advanced privacy features, such as a free, no log VPN, plus a built-in ad blocker, tracker blocker, and pop-up cookie dialog blocker. They likewise both come equipped with Opera’s browser AI, Aria, which is free and features up-to-date results from around the web. Integrated into the browser, Aria serves as a browsing copilot enabling users to boost their creativity and productivity through the power of AI. And with myriad options for customization – whether custom wallpapers, bookmarks or Speed Dials – Opera’s mobile browsers enable users to quickly jump into what matters most, in their own particular style. So find out why new users are rushing to ditch the default and try something new – download Opera today! About Opera Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA”. Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. * The survey was conducted by Opera between the 21st and 24th of February, 2024, via Pollfish. The target population was identified as 18-54 years old, all genders, located in Germany, France, Poland, and Spain. There were 4,000 respondents overall, with 1,000 participants in each market. | ↑ |
Oslo, Norway – Opera [NASDAQ: OPRA], the innovative Norwegian browser company is about to add new features to Opera One, its flagship AI-centric browser. Opera’s relentless pursuit of browser innovation distinguishes Opera One from its competitors. Rather than merely integrating AI features, Opera undertook a complete reimagining of its flagship browser. Opera One is the first web browser from Opera that features a native browser AI, which improves the users’ web browsing without the need for additional paid services or extensions. Redesigned from the ground up, this browser ushers in an era of AI-based browsing, setting the stage for a transformative online experience. The highlight of Opera One is its integrated native AI, Aria, which can be accessed both through a command line and the browser sidebar. Aria offers free access to a leading GPT-based solution, coupled with real-time web data, empowering users with enhanced productivity and creative interaction with browser AI. It can also be trained to write in the user’s unique style. AI Feature Drops available in early access in Opera One Developer Opera is starting its AI Feature Drops program to provide users with cutting-edge and experimental AI-based features to test ahead of other browsers. “AI is moving fast and so are we. We’ve started the AI Feature Drops Program to allow people to test our newest AI explorations that either will or won’t make it to the official version of Opera One. We are excited to let our most engaged users test and share their feedback and suggestions with us,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP at Opera In early 2023, Opera redesigned and reengineered its flagship desktop browser into Opera One. Opera has also added native AI features to Opera GX, its browser for gamers, and its flagship mobile browsers on Android and iOS. Opera believes AI will soon help users perform more elaborate browser tasks, enhancing their experiences on the web. As previously announced, Opera is also excited about its opportunity to bring a true Opera One experience to iOS following the EU Digital Markets Act. In February 2024, the company announced the opening of a new, fully green-energy-powered AI cluster in Keflavik, Iceland thus emphasizing its strong commitment to its AI efforts. The new data center is an NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, equipped with the newest NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs that will all work as a single AI supercomputing cluster serving Opera’s AI workloads. To download Opera Developer for Windows, click here To download Opera One Developer for MacOS, click here To download Opera One Developer for Linux, click here About Opera Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA”. Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. | ↑ |
Opera’s survey data shows 8 out of 10 Europeans are open to testing a new browser.
Starting March 6, nearly 400 million Europeans will see a ballot screen asking them to choose their default browser on their Android or iOS device. This comes as a result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires big tech companies designated as “gatekeepers” to open their platforms to fair competition. The opening of the traditionally closed platforms brings more choice and benefits to smartphone users. Opera’s data shows that Europeans are excited about the opportunity and are open to trying out a new browser. According to Opera’s survey*, 91% of respondents across the EU said more choice and transparency is important to them when choosing a browser. Meanwhile, only 8.8% indicated that they preferred their experiences with a default browser – meaning 91.2% were just as satisfied with an alternative browser, if not more so. Despite the fact that many users are poised to try out a new browser – and the near-universal consumer consensus on the importance of freedom of choice – 20% of those surveyed were not aware that they could change their default browser, and 49% have never done so.  The opening of the market means alternative browser developers will have a more level playing field to compete against the largest tech companies that also control the operating systems. Prior to the implementation of the DMA, gatekeepers could limit the choices offered on their platforms, and give preferential treatment to their own products and services in search results – making it harder for the consumer to understand their full breadth of options. Such activities will become illegal after March 6, inviting greater competition and more choice for users. “This is an exciting moment for Opera, and the European tech scene in general,” said Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera. “We believe that open digital ecosystems are better for businesses, consumers, and society. And as a European-made challenger browser, we relish the opportunity to more fairly compete against the defaults – especially when the vast majority of the respondents we surveyed said they were considering trying out a new browser after March 6th.” The primary concern of survey respondents when considering a browser was security, with 48% prioritizing a free VPN, ad blocking, and advanced privacy features. Opera’s flagship mobile platforms, Opera for Android and Opera for iOS, feature the entire suite: a free VPN, built-in ad and tracker blockers, as well as a pop-up cookie dialogue blocker. Within the last year AI has become a major theme in consumer tech – a movement in which Opera has been in the vanguard. 11% of those surveyed emphasized the importance of an in-browser AI tool, a feature that Opera rolled out in May of 2023. Called Aria, Opera’s browser AI is free and features up-to-date results from around the web. Integrated into the browser, Aria enhances user interaction through intelligent recommendations, voice navigation, and automated browsing tasks, allowing users to boost their creativity and productivity by harnessing the power of AI. Finally, 29% of users highlighted the importance of speed and user-friendly UI. Both Opera for Android and Opera for iOS are powerful browsers that forefront a user-centric experience, with Opera for iOS having won a Red Dot Award for its stunning user interface. A reimagined main menu puts everything – personal content, preferences, and services – right at users’ fingertips, so they can quickly and easily jump back into what matters most. For decades Opera has been at the forefront of the browser market, innovating many industry-first features and tools that have since become standards. Now, with the implementation of the DMA, everybody will have the chance to set Opera as their default and decide for themselves who delivers the best experience. And though 65% of respondents have stuck with a browser out of habit and the perceived difficulty of switching, in reality it’s easy. So join those who have dared to ditch the default, and install Opera today! About Opera Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA.” Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. Learn more about Opera at investor.opera.com | ↑ |
Campaign aims to boost Brazilian designers by providing an international platform to showcase their creativity February 29th, 2024 – Sao Paulo, Brasil – Global web innovator Opera announces the launch of a wallpaper contest in which participants will submit artistic creations that showcase what it means to be Brazilian. Coming off a big 2023 – in which the number of Opera for Android users in the country soared by 280% – the company is eager to celebrate with a loyal and growing user base in Brazil. Opera has decided to bring the Wallpaper Competition to a national context following the success of the inaugural global edition. Brazil was a natural choice, as Brazilians are the second-most active among Opera users in terms of wallpaper use – a figure which has grown in recent months. The competition is designed to bolster engagement, and see Brazil potentially take the top spot. With “Brasilidades” as the theme of the campaign, Opera also hopes to give a platform to the many creative Brazilians out there to show off their talents and express what makes the country so diverse and unique. Entrants will have the opportunity to present their work to millions of Opera users worldwide, while fellow Brazilians will be able to personalize their browsing experience with a more local flavor. The campaign itself is to have three stages. First, starting on February 27th, participants will have four weeks to submit their wallpapers on a dedicated landing page. The wallpapers can be hand-drawn, digitally designed, AI-generated – the only limitation is the entrant’s creativity! Once the entry period closes on March 26th, a panel consisting of members of Opera’s creative team will select 15 wallpapers that will be displayed on the contest website for public voting. The voting will take place from April 9th until April 16th, with the winners announced on April 25. In addition to having their work featured inside the Opera browser, the top three winners can win up to R$5,000, to be disbursed on a credit card The other seven winners will have their projects available in the Opera for Android wallpaper library. The creators of the top three designs will be contacted via email with instructions on how to claim their prizes. “The contest not only represents an opportunity for Brazilians to express their creativity and connection with ‘Brasilidades’, but also reinforces Opera’s ongoing commitment to offering personalized and culturally relevant browsing experiences for its users,” says Juliana Psaros, Head of Marketing at Opera in Brazil. Opera enjoyed a big 2023 in Brazil, with brand awareness doubling so that now three quarters of Brazilians say they are familiar with Opera and its products. The company’s flagship mobile browser, Opera for Android, has been especially popular, with its user base growing by 280% in a year. With a focus on power and security, Opera for Android offers features such as a free VPN and device-wide VPN, as well as built-in ad blocker. Opera for Android additionally Opera’s free, up-to-date, native AI tool, Aria. A hit with Brazilians – who use it more than Opera users anywhere else in the world – Aria allows users to enhance their creativity and productivity by harnessing the power of AI. So see what’s got Opera’s growing user base in Brazil so excited – download Opera, enter the competition, and express your unique sense of “Brasilidades” today! About Opera Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA.” Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. Learn more about Opera at investor.opera.com and on X @InvestorOpera | ↑ |
Sao Paulo, Brazil – February 15th, 2024 – Global web innovator Opera has established a firm foothold in Latin America: Brazil. The software company from Norway has flourished in South America’s biggest economy, capping a tremendous year in which the number of monthly active users of Opera for Android soared over 280%*, the total number of active users across all products grew 50%, and brand awareness doubled so that now fully three quarters of Brazilians say they are familiar with Opera and its products.** Providing popular and user-friendly products and campaigns, Opera has also invested significantly in strategic leadership changes and better understanding the needs of the local market – investments that appear to be paying off handsomely. Opera is known in Brazil for its innovative browsers and solutions, in 2023 launching its own native browser AI, Aria – a bold new step in the company’s adoption of AI services. Based on Opera’s own “Composer” infrastructure, Aria connects to OpenAI’s GPT technology and is enhanced by additional capabilities, such as live results from the web. Aria brings users access to a leading generative AI service free of charge. A web and browser expert, Aria lets users collaborate with AI while looking for information on the web, generating text or code, or getting product queries answered. “We’ve been so thrilled with the adoption of Aria by Brazilian users,” said Juliana Psaros, Head of Regional Marketing for LATAM. “Opera has users around the world, but it’s here in Brazil that they’re getting the most out of this revolutionary AI tool. It signals a real hunger for the type of AI-driven solutions for which Opera is leading the charge.” Opera took its AI strategy a step further by redesigning its flagship desktop browser to become AI-ready with Opera One, which natively integrates Aria. Not just a facelift, Opera One was a bold declaration that AI isn’t merely an addition, but a fundamental component of the browsing present and future. With Opera One, users can seamlessly interact with AI through a brand-new command line, as well as through the browser sidebar and directly from websites with AI Prompts. Opera One also showcases a whole new way of working with tabs called Tab Islands, an innovative feature that addresses the challenge of managing multiple tabs. Expandable and collapsible, Tab Islands automatically groups related tabs together based on context so that users have greater flexibility in tab management. Driven by such innovation, Opera’s desktop browser has outmuscled Edge, Firefox, and Safari to claim the second-largest market share in Brazil. Aria is also available on Opera’s speedy and secure flagship mobile browsers, Opera for Android and Opera for iOS. Both browsers are blazing fast and packed with security features, such as free browser VPN and device-wide VPN Pro services, plus built-in ad and tracker blockers. Brazilians so flocked to Opera for Android, in particular, that it became the most downloaded mobile browser in the Google Play Store across the country in 2023, according to data.ai. With user-friendly and data saving features like light and dark modes, a built-in Newsfeed, and Speed Dials, Opera for Android is the perfect browser for those who seek a seamless and personalized browsing experience – and Brazilians clearly did, increasing the browser’s active user base by a stunning 280% in 2023. Another popular Opera product in Brazil is Opera GX – the first browser tailored specifically for the needs of gamers – which was most recently reported as having more than 26 million monthly active users. At the start of 2023, Opera announced the launch of the game show, Hot Tab Hero, which was recorded in Brazil for the first time with big names from the gamer scene – such as LubaTV, Jean Luca, Calango, and Gusang – and hosted by Otaviano Costa and the streamer Gab Zuski. Opera GX is constantly innovating new features that are both useful and clever, such as the RGX update – which enables users to enhance videos and images to premium quality without spending a cent – and Panic Button – a new feature that closes the browser with the click of a button, acting as an indispensable defense against prying observers and unexpected drop-ins. In addition to pioneering cutting-edge solutions, Opera also brought fun to Brazilians this year in the form of “Shake and Win” – known locally as “Chacoalhe & Concorra.” First getting in on the festive spirit of Carnival, Opera launched four campaigns in total which featured over 36,500 prizes worth more than R$260,000 – all Opera for Android users had to do was shake their phones to win! And that they did, with the four editions generating over 4 million shakes in total – a powerful testament to the animation of an eager and growing user base. While Opera has brought innovative products and fun contests to the Brazilian market, much of the company’s success in 2023 is a result of changes in strategy. Opera’s Head of Marketing for LATAM, Juliana Psaros, is passionate about the company’s vision and objectives – and is furthermore well-placed to communicate them to her fellow Brazilians, as she comes with a wealth of experience in marketing leadership, business development, and strategic partnerships. Concurrent with Opera’s growth strategy in Brazil has been the introduction of Opera Ads, Opera’s online advertising platform that offers exclusive, premium inventory and a reach of more than 90% of Brazilian internet users. Opera Ads helps advertisers optimize campaigns from start to finish, developing partnerships to support brands to market from within the Opera browser and partner inventories. The platform boasts powerful algorithms and cutting-edge technology tailored for performance, ensuring precise targeting and effective results. Opera Ads provides advertisers with an extensive and influential presence across a diverse online landscape. In Brazil the division is headed by Marcos Mendez, who has joined Opera as the Business Development Director after 15 years of experience in Ad Tech, Digital Marketing, and Computer Science with juggernauts like Amazon and Yahoo. Opera’s multifaceted growth has gathered pace in Brazil this year and is clearly bearing fruit – no other browser is more often downloaded in the country, and Opera’s AI tool, Aria, has been a sensation with users there. Opera plans to go from strength to strength in 2024, rolling out more exciting, user-centric contests and products while supplementing efforts with careful, locally-informed strategic expansion. About Opera Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on their mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “OPRA.” Download the Opera web browsers and access other Opera products from opera.com. Learn more about Opera at investor.opera.com and on X @InvestorOpera *According to data.ai, comparing the number of smartphone monthly active users of Opera Browser with AI (Google Play) in Brazil between 1 January and 31 December 2023. | ↑ |
