Yes.A big announcement is expected from Opera on 20th of September, as a highly placed source put it.According to him Opera is going to become a Freeware. This is not the first time that this idea has been raised.Ealier when this was discussed Jax an Opera emplyee has commented that
“The desktop Opera is crucial to what we do (and profitable, incidentally), there is no benefit
in leaving it. We were not, are not, will not merely be a phone browser. Don’t worry about it,
no point in suggesting it either”.
This seemed to me a clear hint that Opera isn’t considering the possibility of becoming completely free on Desktop.Hence this information does come as a surprise to me.I can’t confirm it from anyone else.So,it may be totally wrong.But,I am keeping my fingers crossed.
#Updated on 18th Sept.
Rumors are rampant. Here’s another rumor from the Opera Watch:
Opera Watch Exclusive:Opera is planning on a major overhaul for its desktop browser.According to a source, Opera will release a new version of its desktop browser, which will contain major modifications to the browser’s User Interface (UI). The new version will sport a simpler look.I haven’t seen any screenshots yet, so it’s kind of difficult for me to give a more detailed description.Opera is working on a new and faster rendering engine for the browser, and may include it with next week’s release, though I haven’t confirmed this yet.The new version number will likely be either Opera 8.5 or Opera 9, code named “Merlin”.It is expected to be released by the end of next week.I’ll post more details as they become available to me.Update (9/16 6:32 PM): I don’t want to start rumors about Opera 9, but according to multiple sources, Opera 9 is currently in development and it is no where close to being ready for release. Next week’s release will be Opera 8.5. http://operawatch.blogspot.com/2005/09/major-overhaul-to-opera-browser.html
Well,this may be more that rumour.
I think it said “highly placed source”, not CEO.
Not a new version? Opera watch said it was.
Rob,there is going to be a new version.But there is going to be possibly bigger surprise attached to it.
But again,Opera has a nack of prooving everyone and everyone rumour wrong.;)
“http://www.pallab.frihost.net/blogs/index.php/2005/09/17/big_surprise_coming_up_from_opera#comments”
and how is that possible? I have a very goo theory
It’s really, really, REALLY easy, considering, that Opera ASA reads all of the speculation up until the speculation stops(because the comunity runs out of ideas) and THEN they make up something EviL, that no one expects… Pretty simple strategy huh?
aaargh, the above was to reply to :
“But again,Opera has a nack of prooving everyone and everyone rumour wrong.;)”
sorry.
Opera 8.50 ju? we wtorek?<p>Od jakiegoÅ? czasu chodzÄ? plotki o nowej wersji Opery. Chociaż nigdy nie ma nic pewnego, jeÅ?li chodzi o nowe wersje Opery, to można bezpiecznie zaÅ?ożyÄ?, że Opera 8.50 jest testowana i kiedyÅ? siÄ? pojawi
ByÄ?…
Jakub please stick to English so that I can understand what you are saying.
??? Err… It’s not me, I didn’t post this comment here. Blame the “trackback” feature
My blog is in Polish, sorry. Maybe you can delete this trackback comment?
Sorry.
I didnt notice that it was a trackback.