Opera 9 Technology Preview 2

CNET editors' take

• Reviewed by:
  Robert Vamosi
• Edited by:
  Allen Fear
• Reviewed on: 02/08/2006

Opera has released to the public Opera 9 Technology Preview 2, a first look at the features and tools slated for the next release of this popular Internet browser. That said, this is still a technical beta, designed more for Web sites to make adjustments and for technical users to make comments. As for Opera 8, Opera is no longer a for-pay browser, joining Firefox and Netscape as free alternatives to Internet Explorer. Opera 9 Technology Preview 2 offers two big additions, plus several that put it in league with Firefox 1.5 and Internet Explorer 7 for XP SP2 Beta 2.

BitTorrent support: Opera 9 will be the first mainstream browser to support streaming BitTorrent media. Opera has optimized the browser so that you no longer have to mess with setting the port or tinkering with the upload and download speeds. BitTorrent is currently very popular in Europe, but with its inclusion in Opera, that could spread worldwide.

Widgets: Opera 9 will embrace Ajax technology by offering tiny applets with specific functionality, such as converting currency. There's even a widget that displays the latest Slashdot posting on your browser screen.

Customized search engines: Like Firefox and Internet Explorer 7 for XP SP2 Beta 2, Opera 9 will allow you to choose your favorite search engine with ease.

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Visit the developer's Web site for a free download.

Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 reviews
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• 2.0 stars

  "Ok, not Firefox, though"

  by tcardone05 on April 25, 2006

• 5.0 stars

  "about opera 9 - Oh La La - it does not hurt..."

  by akshpd on February 11, 2006

• 4.0 stars

  0 out of 1 people found this helpful

  "Have never used opera, but bittorrent integration sounds great"

  by assman on February 10, 2006

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