Opera, the popular web browser, is taking its user experience to the next level by introducing an AI assistant named Aria. Collaborating with OpenAI, Opera has seamlessly integrated Aria into its iOS browser app, providing users with a novel and intelligent browsing companion. The most exciting news is that this AI-powered feature comes free of charge for all users.
Having initially launched on Opera’s desktop and Android versions, Aria’s popularity has soared, boasting an impressive user base of over 1 million individuals. Now, with its integration into the iOS platform, Aria has achieved cross-platform accessibility, catering to users across Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.
The beauty of Aria lies in its opt-in nature, offering users the autonomy to decide whether to engage with this AI enhancement. By opting in, users unlock a world of possibilities. Aria’s capabilities encompass providing intelligent insights, generating innovative ideas, and responding to voice commands. To access Aria, users will need to log into their Opera accounts. If users are new to the platform, they can effortlessly create an account directly from the app.
Underpinning Aria is Opera’s proprietary “Composer” infrastructure, which seamlessly interfaces with OpenAI’s powerful GPT technology. This collaboration empowers Aria to connect with multiple AI models, setting the stage for further developments in search capabilities and AI services. Opera plans to delve deeper into generative AI and unveil these exciting advancements in due course.
As is characteristic of AI-driven companions, Aria boasts a chatbot-style interface, allowing users to pose queries and receive prompt responses—an ingenious alternative to traditional web searches. Conveniently located in the “more” menu, Aria is only a tap away within the Opera iOS app. Users can even employ voice commands by tapping the microphone icon, offering a seamless and user-friendly interaction.
The introduction of Aria has already made a significant impact on Opera’s user engagement metrics. Lin Song, Opera’s co-CEO, highlighted, “As encouraging as the initial adoption of Aria has been, we are equally pleased with the quality of the users’ early engagement with the AI tool. We are also seeing a lift in total time spent, with increased searches and pageviews per session.”
This is not Opera’s first foray into AI-powered solutions. The company previously launched AI Prompts, a feature enabling users to initiate conversations with generative AI services, making it easier to summarize articles, generate tweets, and request relevant content based on highlighted text.
Opera for iOS, available as a free download, offers an array of additional features such as built-in ad blocking, a free VPN, tracking prevention, a crypto wallet, and private browsing support. With Aria now enhancing the browser experience, Opera continues to cement its reputation as a tech innovator dedicated to providing cutting-edge tools for its users.
