Opera Upgrades Web BrowserOpera Upgrades Web Browser

Norway's Opera Software ASA on Tuesday released its Opera 8 Web browser. The updated browser is available in two forms: a free ad-supported version and a $39 ad-free version.

Though recently eclipsed by the popularity of Firefox, Opera 8 is no less capable and offers a few unique features. The new version sports a simplified interface and includes an E-mail client with built-in spam blocking, configurable pop-up blocking, RSS news feeds, integrated Google search, and voice-driven browsing.

The new Delete Private Data option offers an efficient method of clearing sensitive data from the browser, a critical operation for those browsing the Web on public PCs. In other browsers, this is typically a multistep process that involves clearing the browser history file, the cache file, cookies, and any file used for storing passwords. Opera 8 offers a single, configurable button to remove local traces of where you've been.

The browser's Trash Can icon can be used to revisit pages or pop-ups that have been closed. A Fit-To-Window option helps scale pages to the current size of the browser window. A Sessions option lets users save open Web pages so they reload the next time the browser is launched.

For a complete list of features, visit www.opera.com.