Latest news with #OperaAir
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Opera Introduces AI-Powered Neon Browser That Works Even When You're Offline
Opera is gearing up to revolutionise web browsing with its upcoming AI-powered browser, Opera Neon, which promises to do much more than load websites. According to the company, Neon will be equipped with advanced artificial intelligence that can generate games, write code, create reports, and even build entire websites — all through simple user prompts. What sets Neon apart is its 'agentic browser' design. This new term refers to its ability to perform tasks autonomously using AI agents that understand instructions and act independently, without requiring ongoing user involvement. 'Users will be able to assign tasks and let Neon do the work on its own, even when they go offline,' Opera shared. The browser combines both cloud-based and on-device AI, allowing it to continue operations even when internet connectivity drops. Its AI agents are also capable of multitasking, handling several actions simultaneously—something that most standard AI tools don't currently support. A standout feature is its built-in chatbot, designed to answer questions, search the internet, and summarise information directly based on what's visible on the user's screen. This eliminates the need to switch between tabs or apps for quick tasks. Additionally, Opera is bringing back its earlier "AI Agent" tool, which first appeared in March through the "Browser Operator" feature. This tool can fill out online forms, automate bookings, and manage daily browsing routines—all while safeguarding user privacy by processing data locally. While Opera has yet to reveal a specific launch date or pricing model, it confirmed that Neon will be a premium browser, possibly locking some of its advanced AI functionalities behind a paywall. Those interested in early access can now join the waitlist for the upcoming beta release. Neon will be Opera's fifth browser, following the recent release of the Opera Air browser, which focused on minimising distractions and promoting digital wellness. Though it's still early days, the idea of a browser capable of creating, coding, and automating tasks independently is certainly catching attention. As AI continues to reshape digital experiences, Opera Neon may very well mark the beginning of a new era in web browsing.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
The Good Life: Can Certain Audio Frequencies Help you Focus?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Welcome to the Good Life! In this week's edition, we're talking how an auditory illusion could potentially make you more productive, rethinking the way we eat, Americans' growing concerns about retirement and more! Tap here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox. Hz to Help: Can Audio Frequencies Make You Productive? By Cameron Schoppa I use an internet browser called Opera, and the other day I got an interesting pop-up: Download Opera Air. It was promoted as "the world's first browser with mindfulness at its core," promising a "focused, balanced, and stress-free web." I thought, sure—why not. I've been diagnosed with ADHD before, I could use all the help I can get when it comes to focus. The browser's main feature? A tab that implements ambient music mixed with certain audio frequencies. That caught my attention. I used the feature and I kind of started to believe there were some magical focusing powers being pushed into my brain. But then I noticed a mobile app in my Instagram feed pushing the same concept just a few days later—using sound frequencies to boost productivity—which got me questioning: Can frequencies really improve focus and productivity? After some research, the answer seems to be: potentially yes. And these tones might even be able to help in more ways than expected. While the scientific evidence is mixed, one commonly discussed method is the use of binaural beats. These are auditory illusions that occur when you listen to two slightly different frequencies—one in each ear—through headphones. In return, your brain perceives a third tone. So what does that have to do with productivity? According to some, binaural beats can lead to something called brainwave entrainment—essentially using sensory stimulations to affect brain's electrical activity. This could help calm a cluttered mind, which many of us experience in our day-to-day lives. Frequencies between 14 and 30 Hz are believed to enhance beta brainwave activity, which is associated with focus and productivity. A commonly cited 40 Hz tone is linked to gamma brainwave activity, which some claim supports memory, attention and mental clarity. But that's not all. We've long known that white/pink noise can aid sleep, but some evidence suggests certain binaural beats—using theta (4–7 Hz) or delta (<4 Hz) waves—may promote deep sleep or meditative states. One preliminary study found that listening to 6 Hz theta binaural beats for 10 minutes daily over a few weeks may "enhance certain aspects of cognitive function." So, let's get to the most important part of this 'binaural beats journey.' Do these tones actually work? It depends. Music incorporating rapid amplitude modulations, especially within the beta frequency range (~14–30 Hz), was found to improve attention, particularly in those with ADHD. But here comes a potential problem with this. Some trials suggest these strategies may have the opposite effect—potentially impairing cognitive performance rather than enhancing it. A study from 2023 found that regular use of binaural beats actually decreased performance on fluid intelligence tests, scoring lower than those exposed to silence or control sounds. On its face, it seems like a life hack; a cheat code to enhance your everyday life. But experts actually suggest treading lightly against viewing this method as a cure-all. "While I can appreciate the fact that a lot of the strategies that are most strongly supported by research take time and consistent effort (two things people might be frustrated with if they want immediate alleviation from their symptoms) before substantial results are seen," Jessica McCarthy, PsyD, said in a comment to health and wellness website VeryWellMind, "a sole and passive strategy such as this one will not yield the results that people are looking for." There's plenty of research still left to be done. But If you're curious and want to give this strategy a try, here are some tips to get started: Use stereo headphones Don't turn up the volume very loud, lower volume is better. Set a timer. 15–30 minutes is generally recommended for a session. And of course, be in a quiet room while doing this. At the end of the day, despite the debate, if it works for you—maybe that's what matters most. marilyna/Getty Images Rethinking What We Eat By: Alex Backus You've probably seen the videos: Americans in Europe indulging in croissants, cheese, pasta, wine—yet somehow feeling lighter, less bloated, and even healthier. That was the case for Kayleigh Donahue. The 27-year-old grew up in Rhode Island and experienced a remarkable transformation in her health and lifestyle upon moving to Ireland. "For some reason, the weight started falling off of me. I ended up losing close to 50 pounds within the first six months of living in Ireland," she told Newsweek. "I was shocked by this because I didn't feel like I drastically changed my eating." Donahue credits both the higher food quality and a different mindset around eating, where better products are more accessible and affordable. "I felt so much healthier," she said. "My skin was glowing and I lost the weight I was struggling with my whole life." Pictures from the viral video posted by Kayleigh that showed the difference in her appearance after a year living in Europe. Pictures from the viral video posted by Kayleigh that showed the difference in her appearance after a year living in Europe. @kayshaynee/TikTok Back in the U.S., the contrast is stark. American food has become increasingly processed and expensive—and our medical system often defaults to prescriptions instead of prevention and holistic solutions. One-minute ads showing a smiling man or woman spinning in circles thanks to (insert prescription drug here) are the norm. That doesn't happen in Europe. The issue goes beyond "just" food, but let's refocus there. While making meaningful changes to a nation's entire food supply is a mammoth undertaking, it starts small. This is one area where we've seen common ground when it comes to RFK Jr.'s Make American Healthy Again agenda. A YouGov survey found most Americans agree with Kennedy on at least one health or nutrition-related issue. The agenda includes fake additives and the Trump administration announced a plan to phase these eight synthetic food dyes out of the nation's food supply by the end of 2026. Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved three new natural color additives as part of a push to eliminate synthetic dyes from the food supply. "For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks," Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. "We're removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives—to protect families and support healthier choices." KarinaBost These dyes include galdieria extract blue, derived from red algae, and calcium phosphate, a white coloring. What's being phased out? Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2 and Orange B. You've likely seen these in the ingredient list of various processed foods, like cereal, candy and desserts. Some have been linked to hyperactivity, allergic reactions and cancer risks in animal studies. Fixing America's food system will take more than cutting synthetic dyes, but it's a step in the right direction. Clean, healthy food shouldn't be a luxury, or something you have to fly to Europe to find. CLOSE X I started experiencing symptoms of endometriosis when I was just 12 years old. And after 15 years of being ignored, I was finally diagnosed last year, at 27. Now, I have had collapsed lungs and lost parts of my bowels. I've had to have six organs removed due to hemorrhaging from endometriosis: at 26, I had to have my gallbladder removed as well as part of my cystic duct. At 27, I had my uterus, cervix, both fallopian tubes, and parts of my bowels removed. When I was little, there were so many things I dreamed of being. Most little kids say they want to be an astronaut, a princess, a firefighter. Mine was always being a mom. Read the full story >> In other news... Retirement concerns: As Americans confront the realities of longer life expectancies, a new study finds only 29 percent of adults want to live to see their 100th birthday. Most cited fears about financial instability and deteriorating health in old age. Read the story. As Americans confront the realities of longer life expectancies, a new study finds only 29 percent of adults want to live to see their 100th birthday. Most cited fears about financial instability and deteriorating health in old age. Read the story. Psychopaths are more attractive, study: Researchers found that individuals with high levels of the so-called "dark triad" traits—narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism—were consistently rated as more trustworthy. Why? The answer lies in looks. Read more. This is a preview of The Good Life—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opera Shares Jump as Forecast Is Music to Investors' Ears. But Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock?
Opera is seeing strong advertising growth. The company also has a nice hidden asset on its balance sheet with OPay. The stock looks cheap given its current growth. Shares of Opera (NASDAQ: OPRA) rose after the web browser operator saw a huge jump in revenue and issued upbeat guidance. While the stock is down year to date, its shares are up more than 20% over the past year. For those unfamiliar with Opera, the company operates a portfolio of web and mobile browsers that are designed to optimize speed and battery life. Its browsers have been particularly popular in emerging markets, although lately it has been more focused on adding higher-valued users from developed markets. On this front, its fastest-growing browser is Opera GX, which is designed to optimize gaming performance. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Opera makes money in two main ways. The first is simply through advertising and its Opera ad platform. It also has a revenue-sharing agreement with Google, where it gets a portion of the ad revenue when people use one of its built-in search bars. Let's take a closer look at the company's Q1 results to see if the stock's momentum can continue. For the first quarter, Opera saw its revenue surge 40% to $142.7 million. That was well ahead of its Q1 guidance for revenue of between $130 million to $133 million. Advertising revenue soared 63% to $95.6 million, while search revenue climbed 8% to $46.6 million. The company also recorded $500,000 in technology licensing revenue. The growth in advertising was led by e-commerce, which the company said offset typical seasonality. Revenue from the vertical more than doubled. Meanwhile, it still sees the U.S. e-commerce industry as having a lot of growth ahead. It also noted that its advertising revenue is performance-based as opposed to brand advertising, and as such, expects it will be more resilient during any period of economic weakness. With search revenue, meanwhile, the company said it was successfully leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively identify user intent, which was allowing it to "optimize the click stream." Demonstrating the company's focus on higher-valued users, its annualized average revenue per user (ARPU) soared 45% year over year to $1.94. Its number of monthly active users (MAU) fell 4% year over year from 304 million to 293 million. However, Opera GX, its highest monetizing browser, saw its user base grow 14% in the quarter to 34 million MAUs. The company also noted that its new Opera Air browser, targeting Western users, was downloaded 500,000 times in its first two months. The browser was designed to integrate science-backed mindfulness to reduce digital stress and promote focus. Also on the innovation front, Opera has turned to agentic AI with its Browser Operator. The company said that while users are still in control, the browser could help with things such as making travel bookings and even ordering flowers to a particular hotel room. The company said in a live demo it was able to book a trip to Lisbon, Portugal; find a Portuguese florist; and fill a shopping cart with the specified flowers, along with all relevant delivery and payment information, all with English prompts. The user then just had to click the final checkout. On the profitability front, Opera's adjusted EPS rose 35% to $0.27 and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) climbed 29% to $32.3 million. Looking ahead, the company forecast Q2 revenue to rise by around 24% to between $134 million to $138 million. It projected adjusted EBITDA to increase by 23% to a range of $30 million to $32 million. It also boosted its full year guidance. The company now expects revenue to range from $567 million to $582 million, representing a 20% annual growth at the midpoint. That's up from a prior revenue outlook of between $555 million to $570 million. It's now looking for adjusted EBITDA of between $135 million to $145 million, up from a prior range of $132 million to $138 million. Opera was optimistic it would be able to navigate the current uncertain macro environment and political tensions. It also thinks any open competition that results from big tech antitrust cases could be a long-term opportunity. Trading a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 14.6 times this year's analyst estimates with 20% projected revenue growth, Opera stock is not expensive. The company also has $103.5 million in net cash and an investment in OPay valued at $258.3 million on its balance sheet. OPay is a fast-growing fintech company that provides digital financial services in Africa, primarily in Nigeria. Previously, Opera had to increase the carrying value of its Opay investment due to the rapid expansion of its customer base. Opera expects OPay to grow its revenue at a 35% annual rate between 2023 and 2030. Opera owns more than a 9% stake in OPay, which is a nice asset some investors may not know about. Given its strong advertising growth, inexpensive valuation, and investment in OPay, Opera looks like a solid stock to own at current levels. Before you buy stock in Opera, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Opera wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $607,048!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,193!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 880% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 161% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2025 Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Opera. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Opera Shares Jump as Forecast Is Music to Investors' Ears. But Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opera Ltd (OPRA) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and Raised Guidance ...
Revenue: $143 million, a 40% year-over-year increase. Advertising Revenue: $96 million, 63% growth, representing two-thirds of total revenue. Search Revenue: $47 million, 8% year-over-year growth. Adjusted EBITDA: $32 million, with a margin of 23%. Marketing Spend: Reduced to $34 million from $41 million in Q4. Cash Compensation Cost: $18 million, up $1 million from Q4. Operating Cash Flow: $16 million, representing 49% of adjusted EBITDA. Free Cash Flow from Operations: $12 million, 37% of adjusted EBITDA. Guidance for 2025 Revenue: Raised to $567 million to $582 million, 20% annual growth at the midpoint. Guidance for 2025 Adjusted EBITDA: $135 million to $140 million, maintaining a 24% margin at the midpoint. Q2 2025 Revenue Guidance: $134 million to $138 million, 24% growth at the midpoint. Q2 2025 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $30 million to $32 million, 23% margin at the midpoint. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with OPRA. Release Date: April 28, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Opera Ltd (NASDAQ:OPRA) reported a strong year-over-year revenue growth of 40% in Q1 2025, surpassing their previous guidance. Advertising revenue grew by 63%, with e-commerce being the fastest-growing vertical, achieving over 100% annualized growth. The company achieved an adjusted EBITDA of $32 million, with a margin of 23%, indicating strong profitability. Opera Ltd (NASDAQ:OPRA) successfully launched new products, including Opera Air and enhancements to Opera One and GX, which have been well-received. The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $567 million to $582 million, reflecting confidence in continued growth. Search revenue growth slowed to 8% year-over-year, down from previous double-digit growth rates. The overall user base showed signs of decline, with challenges in maintaining the 300 million MAUs mark. The strong US dollar provided a headwind, impacting growth by an estimated 5 to 6 percentage points. There is ongoing volatility in the macroeconomic environment, particularly affecting US e-commerce opportunities. Marketing expenses are expected to grow in the high-single digits year-over-year, potentially impacting margins. Q: The search growth during the quarter was 8%, a slowdown from previous growth rates. Is this due to a shift towards e-commerce advertising? How should we think about search for the full year? A: Lin Song, Co-CEO, explained that the industry is shifting towards intent-based targeting and advertisement. While search remains important, identifying user intent allows for more targeted advertising, contributing to overall advertising growth. Despite the slowdown, search still shows nice growth, and they remain optimistic about its future potential. Q: The ARPU for GX declined sequentially. Is this due to seasonality, or are there other factors at play? A: Lin Song noted that Q1 is typically a low season for GX. Additionally, with AI and high intent targeting, there are more options for ad placement, which may not always be counted as GX revenue. Overall, this benefits Opera as a company. Q: How has the strong US dollar impacted your financials, particularly in the GX segment? A: Frode Jacobsen, CFO, stated that the strong US dollar has been a headwind, with growth estimated to be 5-6 percentage points higher on a constant currency basis. The impact is muted sequentially, but it remains a headwind for now. Q: Regarding e-commerce growth, does it offset typical seasonality, and will it become seasonal once it matures? A: Frode Jacobsen confirmed that the strong growth in e-commerce offset typical seasonality. Lin Song added that while seasonality is expected, the e-commerce market is vast, and Opera's share is still small, indicating significant growth potential. Q: With the overall user base slightly declining, is there a concern about reaching a lower level of MAUs? A: Frode Jacobsen explained that the focus is on engagement and revenue-driving metrics rather than MAU count. The decline is mainly in emerging markets, while efforts are focused on high ARPU potential users, leading to increased revenue. Q: How do US antitrust actions affecting Big Tech impact Opera's business? A: Lin Song noted that while they can't comment on specific litigation, the shift towards high intent clickstreams benefits Opera. The increased focus on browsers and competition is positive for Opera, providing growth opportunities. Q: Can you provide more details on the e-commerce opportunity, particularly in terms of vertical and geographic exposure? A: Frode Jacobsen highlighted that e-commerce is growing rapidly, becoming a significant part of advertising revenue. The US opportunity is still largely untapped, and the diversification of the partner base is a positive trend for future growth. Q: What are the levers needed to develop the e-commerce opportunity in the US? A: Lin Song emphasized the focus on performance-based advertising, which is attractive to advertisers seeking high user intent. The strategy involves working with scalable partners and leveraging global opportunities beyond the US. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
WIRED
04-04-2025
- WIRED
Opera's Latest Browser Is Here to Make Your Internet Experience Less Stressful
Apr 4, 2025 8:00 AM Stay well on the web with Opera Air, a browser that plays soothing ambient music and encourages you to take breaks. It's all too easy to lose time on the internet. Scrolling through social media, falling down algorithm-led rabbit holes on YouTube, and clicking on bad news story after bad news story. We know too much screen time is bad for us, but acknowledging the problem and doing something about it are two different things. Browser maker Opera has an idea for cultivating a healthier relationship with the web and our computers, and it's a new browser called Opera Air. Now available for Windows and macOS, its reason for being is to 'actively improve your well-being' by encouraging breaks, exercises, and meditations. The Opera Air Ethos When it comes to improving your user experience, Opera Air starts with the basic building blocks of the browser interface: It's all round corners and frosted glass effects, and Opera itself describes it as a "minimalist Scandinavian design." (Opera is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.) It's all designed to be as relaxing and as gentle as possible—though the amount of relaxation you'll feel does still to some extent depend on the sites you choose to look at. "The web is beautiful, but it can be chaotic and overwhelming," says Mohamed Salah, the senior director of product at Opera. "We decided to look at science-backed ways to help our users navigate it in a way that makes them feel and function better." Even the wallpaper inside the browser is designed to be calming. Courtesy of David Nield To that end you've got a choice of background sounds and a choice of exercises to work with, both easily accessible from the main browsing screen. You can also set up reminders to take a break at regular intervals, and it's likely Opera will add more over time—the current version of the browser is labeled 'early access.' To research the need for a calming tool like Opera Air, the company conducted a survey of 7,000 people across seven countries. It found that 58 percent of respondents 'sometimes feel overwhelmed or stressed while browsing the web,' while 83 percent of respondents said they would like a 'web browser made them feel better as they went about their day.' Running Opera Air The initial setup for Opera Air won't take you long to work through. You'll need to choose a wallpaper backdrop, and there are a variety of soothing images and looping videos to pick from. You're also able to import data such as bookmarks and browsing history from another browser. After that, you get to the Speed Dial quick links page borrowed from the main Opera browser. If you've used Opera before, you'll notice some of the browser's distinctive features: The choice of workspaces on the left, for example, where you can separate groups of tabs, and the integrations with the Aria AI, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. Boosts are customized sounds to help you work. Courtesy of David Nield The two key well-being tools in Opera Air are on the left sidebar. Explore Boosts (the flower icon) leads you to a series of binaural background beats, with names like Emotional Navigation, Focused Calm, and Creativity Boost. Pick the one that matches the mood you're looking for. For each selection, you can click the three dots to tweak the mix. You're able to choose the frequency of the beats, the ambient sound, and the music track that all work together to produce the sounds you're listening to. (There are a multitude of combinations to go through.) You can also set a fixed time for the boost audio before clicking Start. Breaks are guided exercises you can use regularly. Courtesy of David Nield The other main feature here is Take a Break, which is the icon that looks like three wavy lines. You've got four options: Breathing, Neck Exercise, Meditation, and Full Body Scan (which "tunes you into your body and surroundings"). You'll be talked through each step of each exercise, and they take between three and 15 minutes to complete. Click the three dots to the top right of the Take a Break screen and you can pick the voice you want to use for the narration. You can also turn break reminders on or off; Opera Air can nudge you to take some time away from the web at regular intervals of between 45 and 180 minutes. What's more, if you have a webcam, there's the option to use it for some of the exercises to make sure you're stretching correctly. Opera doesn't make any specific reference to a privacy policy when it comes to this feature, but we can't see any indication that any kind of permanent recordings are made, and generally speaking, Opera is a privacy-focused browser.
