App Showcase: Opera

What it does

Opera is a feature-rich mobile web browser designed for users who want more than just a window to the internet. It bundles a suite of powerful tools directly into the browser, including a free VPN, a native ad blocker, and an integrated AI assistant named 'Aria' for advanced search and content creation.

Where it shines

Opera excels by integrating advanced utilities directly into the browsing experience. The AI assistant, Aria, demonstrates this well by generating a custom image from a text prompt (06:28) which can then be immediately set as the browser's wallpaper (07:07), creating a seamless content creation-to-customization loop. The browser also makes power-user features highly accessible. For instance, enabling a full VPN requires just two taps from the main menu (09:55), transforming a typically complex feature into an effortless toggle.

UX highlights

• The main menu acts as a quick-access control panel for toggling features like VPN and Ad Block (09:53).
• Extensive theme customization allows users to change colors and wallpapers, including using custom photos or AI-generated images (00:25).
• The integrated news feed on the home screen can be personalized by topic, turning the browser into a content hub (03:30).
• Aria, the AI assistant, supports multimodal input, allowing users to ask questions about uploaded images (05:07).
• Navigation layouts can be changed in settings to accommodate one-handed use, with options for a bottom search bar or a fast action button (13:42).
• In-page tools like "Find in Page" (14:22) and "Translate" (14:45) are conveniently located in the main menu.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is not directly visible in this recording. The browser and its key features, including the VPN and ad-blocking, are presented as free to use. There are no paywalls, subscription prompts, or in-app purchases shown throughout the user journey. Growth is likely driven by its unique feature set, particularly the free, unlimited VPN, which is a strong differentiator in the crowded browser market.

Who it’s for

This browser is for users who value privacy, customization, and integrated tools. It appeals to those who would otherwise need separate apps for a VPN, ad blocker, and news aggregation. Its AI features also target users interested in generative content tools built directly into their daily workflow, moving beyond simple information retrieval.

Notes & opportunities

While the feature set is rich, the sheer number of options in the main Settings menu could be overwhelming for some users (13:08). The sign-in flow (07:13) is only prompted when accessing AI chat history, which might fragment the user's data if they don't realize they need an account for syncing bookmarks and other data across devices. A more proactive prompt to sign in for syncing could improve the multi-device experience.