3 weeks ago
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Pop-up ad messages, subscription requests, and tons of notifications often get in the way of our online experiences – and even productivity. Have you ever wanted to read just one news item but had to close two pop-ups and stop two videos from playing? The distractions make some of us forget what we originally planned to do online.
Swedish online browser Opera Air aims to change all that with a “stress-free” web experience. It is the “world’s first browser with mindfulness at its core,” according to its official site. That means there are no advertisements, no app juggling, and opportunities to exercise, breathe, and take a break – if that’s what you prefer. Opera Air has been in development for 25 years and was developed by Opera, “a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices.” The company also offers browsers such as Opera GX for gamers, and the Opera Browser that also offers distraction-free browsing that is capable of syncing and sending files between Opera on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Chromebook, and iOS.
It launched Opera Air as the first browser that actively attempts to improve the well-being of users this month. In a company release, it said that the product is “designed to make its users feel better while they browse the web” by integrating mindfulness tools like “breathing exercises, meditation, binaural beats, stretching, and positive quotes directly into the browsing experience.” Opera Senior Director of Product Mohamed Salah shared in the same release that they “decided to look at the science-backed ways to help our users navigate it in a way that makes them feel and function better” because they recognize that the “web is a beautiful thing, but it can be chaotic and overwhelming.” Curious about what else Opera Air offers? Here are some things you should know about this free browser.
- Mindful Ways. Opera Air gives users options to exercise and meditate through its “Take a Break” feature. Reminders to recharge and take breaks appear on screen and lead to guided exercises, for example. Guided meditations offer “unique voices” that will “lead you to a soothing and calm space of your own anytime you need it.” And smart exercise features can be maximized by enabling a 3D model when you launch your camera to develop your flexibility.
- Need a Boost? Through the sound of waves, nature, and soothing background music, Opera Air claims to be able to influence brainwave activity through available “Boosts.” On its site, it explains that the browser creates perceived a “third frequency” in the brain via binaural beats, an auditory technique where two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear. This then reportedly influences “brainwave activity, helping to promote relaxation, focus, or a meditative state.” Users can select from several Boosts like the Creativity Boost (for creativity, of course), Deep Relaxation (stress relief), and more, that last from “15 minutes to infinity.” So, you can be working on a presentation while indulging in the “Focused Calm” Boost simultaneously. Try the “Dream Recall” Boost to increase your capacity to recall dreams.
- Destress by Breathing. Select between different exercise types to stabilize breathing and oxygenate your body. The browser’s Destress feature offers techniques used by athletes to decrease non-adrenaline levels due to stress. According to the company, these activities will help increase lung capacity in the long run.
- Do Not Disturb. The browser comes with a free ad blocker for both mobile and desktop formats, while providing privacy protection and a faster browsing experience. According to the brand, “no add-ons or extensions are needed to block ads.” Users can enable the feature “in two clicks and start blocking ads right away when you browse with Opera.” Users can also opt to go for ads via the settings or identifying a page as an “Excluded Site.”
- Focus Like You Want. There are multiple ways to focus via Opera Air, such as customizable workspaces, split screens, using emojis to identify tabs, Sidebars to pin your go-to apps, and Opera Flow to easily send files between devices. It also offers free VPN (yes, for free!) for enhanced secured browsing. A VPN Pro can also be availed of.
- Of course, there’s AI! You will meet Aria, the built-in artificial intelligence and browser assistant in Opera Air. No subscription or sign up is needed to access “AI chat, text and image generation, webpage summaries, voice output and more.” Image recognition is also available – in case you need Aria to help digitally transcribe your handwritten notes in seconds.
