Oh, hai, API!

Opera introduces Opera 12.10 beta for desktop, now available for download
 Opera 12.10 supports new OS features, such as built-in sharing of content to social network on MacOS X Mountain Lion shown above. Click image for high-res version.

You may know the press releases from Opera Software as the funny, quirky ones that stand out in the crowd. This is not one of them. This time, it’s all about the serious stuff, for all you web developers out there. Introducing the Opera 12.10 beta browser for Windows, Mac and Linux, now with even more browser goodies to explore.

API, API, API

Context Menu API
Developers can now allow their extension to work with Opera’s context menu (known as the right-click menu among friends). By allowing this, users can highlight text and make use of the extension for social networking, translations and more.

Screenshot API
Screenshots can be tricky to do (where did the Print Screen button go?) and difficult to share. With the Screenshot API developers can integrate a screenshot feature in their extension and easily allow Opera users share what they see in their browser.

Resource Loader API
Allow Opera extensions to load the CSS or JavaScript included inside an Opera extension file for easy manipulation of both functionality and design on web pages. For example, you can replace all fonts in Comic Sans on web pages to Helvetica or execute advanced JavaScript right inside webpages.

Standards galore

As if the new APIs were not enough, we tossed even more web standard support. The Fullscreen API, along with the Page Visibility API, lets developers have more say in presentation of content and better manage resources in the browser.

For developers yearning to get going with web sockets, we have some good news for you! Opera 12.10 includes the latest Web Sockets implementation with richer functionality for developers and an improved experience for end users. And we’ve enabled it by default.

SPDY Gonzales

Among a long list of speed and performance improvements, we are introducing the SPDY network standard as a supplement for the HTTP protocol, promising even faster downloading of webpages. In Opera 12.10, SPDY is turned on by default and works with webpages that support the standard. As of today, several large-scale websites such as Twitter and Gmail support the SPDY standard in addition to the traditional HTTP protocol.

“During the planning of Opera 12.10 we listened to the web developers,” says Krystian Kolondra, SVP Desktop, Opera Software. “The web developer community is thriving like never before and we want to support that in every way we can. With the new APIs, developers are better suited than ever to create extensions that give users of Opera for desktop a unique browsing experience.”

The times are a-changin’

In both the Windows and Mac worlds, there are new and exciting operating system updates this fall. Opera for desktop includes several updates to take advantage of the new features in the operating systems.

With the launch of the Mac OS X Mountain Lion, a number of new features have been included directly in the operating system. Opera 12.10 for Mac supports a number of the new MacOS X Mountain Lion features, including Notification Center, Retina Display support and built-in sharing of content to social networks.

Soon, the Windows 8 version will also be publicly available, and Opera 12.10 includes updates to accommodate Windows 8 enhancements. These include touch support for Windows 8 Classic mode, with the added bonus of working on Windows 7, as well.

About Opera Software ASA

The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 275 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the internet. Our vision of one web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. ‘Opera’, ‘Opera Software’, ‘Opera Mini’ and the ‘O’ logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.