Google Chrome remains the most popular web browser on Android. That doesn’t mean that third-party browsers aren’t popular, though. In fact, Samsung Internet, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox all have a substantial user base. These third-party browsers have features such as tracking protection, add-ons, and more.
Opera is a popular third-party browser in Android as well. In the old days of Android, Opera Mobile used to be the firm’s flagship mobile web browser, while Opera Mini was released as a compressed “lite” web browser for low-end phones and areas which did not have optimal connectivity. Opera Mobile was later retired in favor of the new Opera, which is a Chromium-based web browser.
Now, Opera has released a new web browser, called Opera Touch. The first feature of Opera Touch is that it’s “instantly ready” to find things on the web, as users can start typing or use voice search to initiate a search. They can use the app to scan QR codes and go to the website they link to. Also, they can use Opera Touch to scan a barcode on a product in order to search for it online.
The main differentiating feature of Opera Touch is that it’s a one-hand friendly browser. Opera states that the browser lets users explore the web using only one hand, with the Fast Action button being always visible on the browser screen. The button gives users access to Instant Search, and they can also hold and swipe it to switch to their most recent tabs, reload the tab, close it, or send the current tab to their computer.
Opera Touch features Flow, which lets users use the app together with their Opera desktop browser for “seamless web browsing” across devices. Users need to start the Opera desktop browser and scan the QR code displayed there with Opera Touch, and they don’t need a login, password, or account unlike other solutions. They can then send links, videos and notes to themselves with a single click, and the links, videos and notes will be displayed across their devices.
Opera notes that the data users send in Flow is fully end-to-end encrypted. Opera Touch also features Opera’s cryptojacking protection, that is said to reduce the risk of users’ phone getting overheated or running out of battery when they browser the web.
Finally, the browser features an opt-in ad blocker which is disabled by default. When users turn it on, it will block “intrusive ads,” thus making web pages load faster.
Users can download Opera Touch from the Play Store.
Opera Touch: the fast, new browser with Flow (Free, Google Play) →