Opera Neon: The AI-Powered Browser Is Here
▼ Summary
– Opera launched its AI browser Neon, featuring AI-powered app creation and repeatable prompts called cards.
– The browser is now available by invitation for a $19.99 monthly subscription fee after being in closed preview since May.
– Key features include a chatbot for answers and Neon Do for task automation, like summarizing content or retrieving browsing history details.
– Neon allows users to create code snippets for visual reports and build custom repeatable prompts using cards for tasks like product comparisons.
– Opera positions Neon as a premium product for power users, competing with AI browsers like Perplexity’s Comet and The Browser Company’s Dia.
Opera has officially launched its new AI-driven browser, Opera Neon, introducing advanced capabilities for creating applications through simple AI prompts and reusable commands known as cards. This positions Opera alongside other innovators like Perplexity and The Browser Company in the emerging field of agentic browsing. The browser, which was initially previewed in May, is now moving to an invite-only phase with a monthly subscription fee of $19.99.
Krystian Kolondra, Executive Vice President of Browsers at Opera, emphasized that Neon was developed for intensive AI users and early adopters who will help refine its functionality. The browser includes several standout features, starting with a standard chatbot for answering queries. Its more advanced tool, Neon Do, assists with practical tasks such as summarizing a Substack article and posting the summary directly to Slack. Because the browser retains your browsing context, it can also retrieve details from previously viewed content, like a YouTube video or an article from days ago.
Another powerful aspect of Opera Neon is its ability to generate code snippets, enabling users to build visual reports complete with tables and charts. While it remains uncertain whether these mini-apps can be shared, the feature highlights the browser’s focus on productivity. The Cards system allows users to construct repeatable prompts, similar to The Browser Company’s Dia Skills or IFTTT logic for AI. For example, combining “pull-details” and “comparison-table” cards lets you compare products across different browser tabs effortlessly. Users can design their own cards or utilize community-created ones.
Opera Neon also introduces Tasks, a workspace feature that organizes AI chats and tabs into dedicated environments. This resembles a blend of Tab Groups and Arc Browser’s workspace functionality, providing isolated contexts for AI interactions. In demonstrations, Opera showcased Neon performing actions like ordering groceries, though real-world performance may differ from these controlled previews.
By launching Neon as a premium, subscription-based browser, Opera is targeting power users and competing directly with alternatives such as Perplexity’s Comet and Dia. At the same time, major players like Google and Microsoft continue integrating AI into their own browsers, making this a dynamic and competitive space. Opera’s strategy hinges on delivering specialized, high-value AI tools that justify its monthly cost.
(Source: TechCrunch)
