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Updated: Twelve under-the-hood improvements in Opera 12, and 11.65

By Huib Kleinhouthuibk. Thursday, June 14, 2012 6:05:38 AM

Opera 12 has been released today! bigsmile With Opera's new theming support it's easier than ever to dress Opera the way you like. But behind Opera's visual changes there are numerous of technical enhancements in Opera 12. Here are 12 of our favorite under-the-hood improvements in this release.

  1. Faster startup with many tabs
    Previously it could take a while to start Opera if you had many tabs open. In Opera 12 tabs are loaded smarter; fewer at the time with those that are visible or recently accessed loading first. Opera now always starts up equally fast no matter how many tabs you have open.
  2. Out-of-Process Plug-ins
    Plug-ins are notorious for causing stability issues. In fact almost one third of all crashes in Opera are caused by plug-ins. In Opera 12 plug-ins are isolated in a separate process, when they crash all you need to do is reload the page.
  3. Experimental Hardware Acceleration and WebGL
    Opera 12 contains experimental support for full hardware acceleration and WebGL. While the stability and performance depends on the OS, drivers and graphics card, it is already available for testing. Enabling opera:config#UserPrefs|EnableWebGL allows you to test WebGL content and enabling opera:config#UserPrefs|EnableHardwareAcceleration makes not only the web page but the whole user interface being render via the graphics card. By accessing opera:gpu you can check the current status of Hardware Acceleration and WebGL. Using opera:config#UserPrefs|Preferredrenderer you can switch between OpenGL (0) and DirectX (1).
  4. opera:cpu
    Is something slowing down Opera or your computer? You can now easily check with opera:cpu.
  5. Improved loading performance
    In Opera 12 the loading of pages has been optimized to ensure that resources like scripts, style sheets and images are loaded more efficiently. The result: Faster loading of pages!
  6. Improved performance on secure connections
    When loading a secure page (https) the browser goes through a complex process to establish a secure connection. This exact steps in this process vary from web server to web server, depending on the certificates, version and implementation of TLS they support. For Opera 12 we've analyzed and optimized many of the different steps in this process. Overall many secure pages are now loading faster than before!
  7. RTL
    In each release Opera learns a new language. New in Opera 12 is the capability to support Right-To-Left languages which makes it possible to support Arabic, Persian, Hebrew and Urdu. With Kazakh in addition, Opera is now translated into 55 languages.
  8. Improved HTML5 support
    HTML5 is the heart and soul of the web. Opera 12 adds support for drag and drop, camera access (getUserMedia), css animations and more.
  9. Improved extensions support
    The windows/tabs extensions api has been revamped to include support for access to tab stacks. Check out dev.opera for more upcoming extension features.
  10. 64 bit Windows and Mac
    Opera 12 is now available in 64 bit for all platforms. Note that because 64 bit applications use more memory than their 32 bit equivalent, the default version of Opera for Windows will continue to be 32 bit.
  11. Do Not Track
    Opera 12 enhances your privacy by supporting the "Do Not Track" feature. You can enabled it in Opera's Preferences dialog (Preferences > Advanced > Security > Ask websites not to track me).
  12. Improved address field suggestions
    Based on feedback from you we've implemented numerous of tweaks to the address field making the suggested results cleaner, more accurate and more relevant.


Try out Opera 12 and stay tuned for new Opera Next builds!

Update: Mac App Store edition

Opera 12 was released earlier today through all our distribution channels but one. We now also announce the released of Opera 11.65, a security and stability update for the version of Opera that is distributed exclusively through the Mac App Store (MAS).

As of June 1st, it has been a requirement for all applications in the MAS to be using Mac OS’ sandboxing security technology. Although Opera itself has completed all the work needed and is running fine in a sandboxed environment, we have chosen to delay the MAS release of Opera 12 with sandboxing enabled. To ensure that our users get the best experience, we need third party plug-ins such as Flash Player from Adobe and Java from Apple/Oracle working in a sandboxed environment. These key third-parties still need more time to update their products.

Opera 12 for Mac without sandboxing is available from http://www.opera.com/browser/ today, and Opera 11.65 will be made available in the Mac App Store shortly.

Opera 12 Release Candidate 6Bugfixes as we prepare for 12.01

Comments

Abhinavdecodedthought Thursday, June 14, 2012 6:50:15 AM

up

Maximmax1c Thursday, June 14, 2012 6:55:29 AM

w00t! Gj and grats on release.

Hadesfenorbee Thursday, June 14, 2012 6:57:06 AM

Moderator edit: This comment has been removed for breaching our terms of use.

Franckyfrk34 Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:00:49 AM

flamebait removed

Mimis Mum (MM)mimi_s_mum Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:01:24 AM

Congratulations! cheers And thank you very much for your hard work.http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Applause.gif -

Александрavaddon66 Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:04:06 AM

WOW! Good job guys, I waited smile Opera is the best browser in the world.

Bartek WereszczyńskiForeste Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:04:19 AM

Bad version in linux crash and clone process opera:libflashp and operapluginwrapper-native
http://forum.dobreprogramy.pl/gallery/image_page.php?album_id=20&image_id=4546 :<
i writted ticket bug not reaction team dev ;/
i cry and back in opera 11.64 cry

nahtanoj999 Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:09:26 AM

The way favicons on tabs are handled in this release is just terrible. Now tabs have to be fairly big before icons are visible at all. There is absolutely no way in which the new behavior is better than the old one. It's almost enough to get me to downgrade.

Cristiancristianer Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:13:39 AM

Thanks guys! yes cheers wizard jester party drunk

trp Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:15:41 AM

So, finally, favicons in the addressbar are back in a final release. Thank you! cheers

iamadmm Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:16:28 AM

Thank you for being polite and only discussing the topic of this post!

Stan Kayyakyelnats Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:17:03 AM

I have loaded Opera 12 and went to Peacekeeper (http://peacekeeper.futuremark.com/) to run a browser benchmarking test. Unfortunately, the test times out when running the webglSphere element and so no results are produced.

This is the first time that a version of Opera has not completed this test!

Are you aware of this problem?

Arjan van LeeuwenAVL Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:18:23 AM

Originally posted by Foreste:


Bad version in linux crash and clone process opera:libflashp and operapluginwrapper-nativehttp://forum.dobreprogramy.pl/gallery/image_page.php?album_id=20&image_id=4546 :<i writted ticket bug not reaction team dev ;/i and back in opera 11.64



We are aware of this issue. When running Opera on Linux in KDE mode (started from KDE or forced via opera:config), KDE/Qt will steal our signal handler, which prevents zombie processes (processes started by Opera that have exited) from being reaped while Opera is running. However, this does not mean anything crashed, and it will not affect Opera's performance. The zombie processes will be gone as soon as you quit Opera.

Øzikzakatak Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:21:21 AM

oh! dear...rolleyes

PraetorianX Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:22:51 AM

Good job on releasing the 12.00 version.

For me, it is not what I expected from it, and it's not what I wished for it after the rushed several last stable builds for 11.6x.

I get freeze issues with flash plugin (already commented here in previous build blog posts) and scrolling performance issues, enough to know that I can't have this one as my main browser. I'll be following up on the subsequent next releases and hopefully down the line Opera will become again the default browser for me.

Also, a few builds ago, feedback was required about the themes integration on Linux before the final release. That was basically ignored, then? Because I still see that big Opera button when I restore Opera, that I can't remove, and from time to time the min/max/close buttons and the "O" disappear completely. All mentioned in that thread.

bachokocho Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:23:08 AM

Congrats! Have a good rest team, because we are waiting for Marlin and Sailfish smile

RealHunk Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:24:20 AM

Will opera desktop team go on vacation now or the development will be continued and we won't spend several weeks waiting for new snapshot? Opera 12 has good features but it's still buggy and laggy.

Michael Baconrlshosting Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:28:17 AM

http://peacekeeper.futuremark.com seems to work fine for me.

Your results
1341
HTML5 Capabilities 5/7
Detailed version information: Opera/9.80 (Windows NT 6.1; U; en) Presto/2.10.289 Version/12.00

rseiler Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:32:19 AM

Someone might want to put up a proviso somewhere for unsuspecting Win8 users who have obscure CPUs made by Intel (Core i3/i5/i7) and are running with default BIOS settings, since those users will meet a sudden, definitive end.

Fr0sT Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:33:13 AM

HELL YEAH!!!

Faster startup with many tabs
Previously it could take a while to start Opera if you had many tabs open. In Opera 12 tabs are loaded smarter; fewer at the time with those that are visible or recently accessed loading first. Opera now always starts up equally fast no matter how many tabs you have open.


This feature is exactly for me smile

Thanks for release, guys!

petvalcaune Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:33:36 AM

Mod edit: Flamebait removed.

nanana1 Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:38:22 AM

Nice work with Wahoo ! This is a great final version.

Thanks, Opera ! love

Vladimyr IvanovVladimyr Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:40:18 AM

skin rendering is still unstable on Win platform.
it persists more than 1 year (will be 2 years soon):
http://my.opera.com/desktopteam/blog/show.dml/49397652#comment90383682
but posts about it are ignored or deleted.
reported as DSK-339856
also posted of the forum and confirmed.
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=845542
I think stability is more important than new 'cool' features yuck

Christos Lazaridischrislaz Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:44:32 AM

http://peacekeeper.futuremark.com/ ran fine on linux x64 with acceleration enabled.

3453
HTML5 Capabilities 6/7

Detailed version information: Opera/9.80 (X11; Linux x86_64; U; en) Presto/2.10.289 Version/12.00

alharawi Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:46:32 AM

Just downloading the new Opera 12 release. Install it over RC6. Launch it with enthusiasm 3 times = 3 kernel panic... What the hell?! Will stay with RC6 right know...
MacOSX 10.6.8

sabisan Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:49:00 AM

God job Opera team cheers. Great browser to work with && to develop WebApps up.

But now - please:

1) Missing favicons-bookmarks issue since ever?
2) GUI improvements
- Opera deserves MORE stylish/sleek/PRO GUI
- Visual tabs GUI-improvements (selected visual tab should be MORE distinguishable from non-selected tabs)
3) Find in page functionality (how many found words, etc.)
4) If using 2 or more windows (saved as session), Opera should REMEMBER how much visual-tabs-bar was stretched for EACH windows (different resolutions on each monitor)
5) HTML 5 canvas-speed could be better (or JavaScript engine?)
6) (my wish) Opera should automatically (by Opera:config setting) sort bookmarks-bar items by USAGE-frequency
7) Real-time search-bar google-searching is not working for me since I don't know when

Win7x64, Opera x64

EDIT: Insert TAB-line doesn't disappear (see pic) + some rendering issues when dragging visual tabs up/down.
http://i.imgur.com/Gqe7y.png


Justasdrumblius Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:50:40 AM

Guys, thank you for your hard work. Address bar suggestion improvement was the feature I was waiting for so long smile Many thanks

Kilokiloza Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:50:48 AM

I am having issues logging into Netgear routers with this 12 release... sits for ever, hangs and needs reload after reload to get to do anything in the Netgear routerlogin setup.

Both 32bit and 64bit, clean install, no extensions.

11.64 no problem, fast, with extensions.

Windows 7 64bit

Mimis Mum (MM)mimi_s_mum Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:52:53 AM

Originally posted by caune:

how can I choose x86 or x64 version on official download page?

Go to http://www.opera.com/browser/download/ and click More options link just above the download button to make the "Architecture" dropdown visible

joshas Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:57:08 AM

Moderator edit: This comment has been removed for breaching our terms of use.

Patkós Csabapatkoscsaba Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:57:45 AM

Originally posted by alharawi:

Just downloading the new Opera 12 release. Install it over RC6. Launch it with enthusiasm 3 times = 3 kernel panic... What the hell?! Will stay with RC6 right know... MacOSX 10.6.8


No problem here, installed over RC5, MacOS X 10.7.4

andrewzandrewz1986 Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:00:33 AM

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7360/loadbarfail.th.png -

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/1129/operaflashcrashed.th.png -

Clean install. Default flash plugin. Director turned on and off. Cache cleared. The issue remains. (thanks for suggestions to Mimi's Mum (MM), Chas4 and Charles Schloss, although it didn't help)

I'm going to download Chrome from stable 11.64. Opera staff is irreparable.

MaximSailorMax Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:02:01 AM

http://shinydemos.com/clock/
has "An error occurred: [CODE 1]" on build 1467 (Opera 32bit, Windows 7 64 bit, HWA off, WebGl off)

AndrewShillerua Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:09:15 AM

How can I open context menu for Bookmarks items in main menu or Start panel->bookmarks? it worked in 11.

QuHno Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:09:40 AM

I am disappointed. Apart from the 5 security fixes nothing was improved for me.

11.64 was rock solid even with my messy profile that I never really cleaned since 5.02. 12 is not rock solid even with a clean profile.

12 is capable to crash/freeze my system UI completely - it is the first and only software since about 10 years that is capable of doing that!

No Unite, no widgets, the extensions API still too dumb to cover the holes caverns the missing Unite and widgets leave.

I don't care if Opera loads fast or whatever with 300 tabs (Opera 12 is not faster with loading 300 tabs here!) but I care for stability.

Maximmax1c Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:12:15 AM

Everything is great except I have one question: Why does Opera x64 install into "Opera Next x64" folder by default and creates a "Program Files (x86) (x86)" folder and installs into "Program Files (x86)" instead of default "Program Files" ?

alharawi Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:12:42 AM

Originally posted by patkoscsaba:

Originally posted by alharawi:

Just downloading the new Opera 12 release. Install it over RC6. Launch it with enthusiasm 3 times = 3 kernel panic... What the hell?! Will stay with RC6 right know... MacOSX 10.6.8


No problem here, installed over RC5, MacOS X 10.7.4

Yes, that strange... even with a clean install. Will look to see some software incompatibilities on my system. Curently posting from safari...

nahtanoj999 Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:13:05 AM

Dragging tabs between windows is fundamentally broken. Sometimes they don't move. Usually they switch windows but end up in the wrong place. Other times, it crashes Opera. Add this to all the steps backwards in usability from drag and drop and the interface is much worse in 12 than in any version of Opera for a long time.

AzraelAzrael1 Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:14:11 AM

The so-called plugin wrapper advantage of allowing it to crash independently is just BS - for me a pdf tab freeze still freezes the entire browser and killing the wrapper in Task Manager has no effect so Opera must be killed.

Edit: sorry, i spoke too soon - a plugin crash not only freezes the entire browser, it freezes the entire pc. I just had to do a full reboot. This has never happened before. It's getting worse by the version.

Abhilash L Lllabhilash Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:21:36 AM

Wow, feels blazingly fast. All good for now

krishna8 Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:26:03 AM

Still can't open http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6125348 properly....

netwolf Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:27:10 AM

Looks like Mozilla already took over Widgets (or at least the concept):
http://www.browsomatic.com/2012/06/firefox-16-now-supports-desktop-web.html

IKoke Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:28:41 AM

The build is just fine, good job Opera.

Some of you are way too dramatic.

MichałEmdek Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:28:41 AM

So now I'm waiting for more KDE integration love, especially more native style (menu bar background, context menus), FreeDesktop.org spec notifications integration etc. ;-)
Also smaller things, like ability to reorder search engines in Preferences editor, or fixing ghost (empty) entries in opera:cpu, dragging multiple files to mail attachments field, ability to zoom textual attachments viewed inside Opera etc.

Hades, sure, but remember that it was already delayed by six months to fix various issues. ;-)

SteveKong Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:31:03 AM

One question: Are both, the standard and AppStore version of Opera 12, sandboxed on OSX?

alekksander Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:31:19 AM

why no opera:config#UserPrefs|ShowFaviconsinAddressfield -on by default?

marbross Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:35:20 AM

It's not bad. I'm testing Opera with full acceleration now. I see difference between capitals with HA and without HA.

By the way. Thank Team for hard work cool

SilasTheRockSays Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:36:39 AM

Moderator edit: This comment has been removed for breaching our terms of use.

alvester Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:42:01 AM

Is there a way to sync extensions between Opera and Opera Next?

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