Opera brings web browser and AI assistant to iOS
Opera has introduced an iOS version of its AI-powered Opera One web browser to the Apple Store. The Safari alternative offers a host of features to entice Safari users, but the centerpiece is Aria, the AI assistant that Opera has been integrating into its browser portfolio over the past year or so.
Aria is free and built into the browser, combining enhanced search with ChatGPT-style text and image generation. You can chat with Aria and ask it to write text and code, and pull real-time information from the web, with links to visit directly. You can quickly switch between chatting with Aria and the browser with a tap.
You can also start a conversation with Aria by speaking instead of typing, though the AI doesn’t talk back like ChatGPT’s Voice Mode or Google Gemini Live. To take an image, simply send a prompt to Aria. The AI will create or alter an image that you can share using Google’s Imagen 2 model, as seen in the image above.
Besides AI, Opera One has other differences from Safari to help it stand out. That includes a very different search experience, with a “Bottom Search” feature that does what its name suggests and places the search bar at the bottom of the screen. Opera claims this makes one-handed navigation easier, particularly on larger iPhone models. Opera One’s search capabilities have also been improved, with smart suggestions and predictive keywords. There’s also a swipe-to-search gesture that mimics how you might swipe down to search for apps on an iPhone. This feature allows users to quickly access the search bar without having to navigate through menus.
Operative appeal
Opera One browser generally has a more minimalist design than Safari. Settings are hidden until needed, and the top and status bars change color to match the current website and better fit the digital environment. There’s also a ticker with news, sports scores, and product tips built into the background of the wallpaper. Opera claims this approach keeps users informed without cluttering their screens.
Still, it’s AI where Opera One will likely win over new users on iOS. It fits with the broader trend of adding AI features to browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Opera is eager to stand out as a leader in the space, and expanding into Apple’s ecosystem will likely help. That said, Apple’s upcoming Intelligence features could temper the success of any third-party browser, which is why Opera isn’t limiting its AI plans to what’s currently available.
“Our research shows that mobile phone users are six times more likely to be happy than not after switching from their system’s default browser. So with Opera One for iOS, we want to raise the bar even higher and deliver a better browsing experience than what users will find pre-installed,” said Jona Bolin, Product Manager at Opera. “This is just step one. We plan to continue to evolve our vision for the browsing experience on iOS in the months to come.”