Vivaldi 7.0 is out, and the makers describe it as not merely an update but ‘a new Vivaldi’ entirely.
Those familiar with the browser will instantly see why, as Vivaldi finally gets an overdue UI redesign: there’s a new theme using pill-shaped floating tabs and a new set of in-app icons (which can be changed back to the old ones for those who aren’t a fan).
On the new tab page (or “start page” in Vivaldi parlance) there’s an all-new Dashboard feature with widgets that users can customise to provide a more informative view-port than a static speed dial n’ search bar might offer.
Of the Dashboard, Vivaldi say “…it pulls everything together. Your Mail, Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and even your Feed Reader, are all in one place. It’s designed for multitaskers, project jugglers, and anyone who needs to see everything at a glance.”
Beyond that are welcome improvements to the built-in (but optional unless configured) e-mail client, calendar, and and RSS feed reader (the latter being something I, as a publisher, would encourage more people to use to escape the skewed grip of algorithmic ranking).
Vivaldi 7.0 feature highlights:
- Revamped UI with floating tabs
- New Dashboard feature
- New UI Density setting (Regular or Compact)
- New theme and icon set
- Mail improvements, including ‘jump to latest’ button
- Sync improvements, including real time sync
- Feed reader improvements, including support for folders
- Updated onboarding
Plenty more besides those choice picks, including the expected glut of glitch fixes, performance tweaks, and general buff and polish to the overall experience.
In all, another solid feature drop—wait; what’s that I hear…
“Vivaldi’s Added More features?!”
Since arriving in 2015the Vivaldi web browser has proven popular with users of all shades across all major desktop operating systems for the same reason that others consider it a bit weird: features.
We’re used to (perhaps conditioned) software vendors keeping their feature sets focused firmly on things with broadest appeal. Only features which most users will use get added or improved. Anything serving a smaller audience gets removed, and requests rejected.
Similarly, web browser vendors prefer to keep customisation options to a minimum. People are easily confused, we’re told. Whatever controls are enabled are critical or offer a limited set of options to ensure users use browser the way the makers intended.
There’s nothing wrong with that approach, and a lot of successful software sticks close to the formula.
But it’s not the only way to build software.
Vivaldi offers customisation options by the gallon, and an engorged feature set spanning innovative to useful, from quirky to a bit unusual – and it’s all the stronger for doing it.
Besides, those who find fewer features and options a “pro” are already well catered to.
But in a field of scant choice for those whom want control, choice, customisation, and niche needs catered to sans the need to seek out (often questionable) browser add-ons to fill the gaps, Vivaldi understandably stands tall.
I think it shouldn’t matter whether one uses it to applaud it; the fact Vivaldi offers what other don’t is something to champion – a bulwark against boringness if you will!
Install Vivaldi on Ubuntu
Vivaldi for Desktop is free (but not open-source) software available for Windows (including ARM), macOS, and Linux (including ARM). It’s built atop of Chromium, and is compatible with most Chrome Extensions (including this site’s one).
Ubuntu and Linux Mint user? You can download the Vivaldi DEB installer, which will add the official APT repo for future updates during the install process. Ubuntu users can also opt for the official Vivaldi snap package now.
Finally, folks who favour Flatpak can find Vivaldi on Flathub but should be aware that the build is ‘unverified’ (although it is maintained and updated by a Vivaldi employee).