Diving Deep into Opera Developer 51: A Comprehensive Look at Updates and Fixes

Opera browser is constantly evolving, and the Developer edition offers a sneak peek into the future of this popular browser. Recently, Opera Developer 51 was released, sparking discussions among users about its new features, potential issues, and fixes. This article digs into the details of Opera Developer 51, highlighting key changes and solutions to common problems encountered during its initial release.

GPU Issues and Solutions

One of the primary concerns raised by users revolved around GPU support. Some users experienced:

• Slow performance on graphics-intensive websites: Like slither.io, indicating potential issues with hardware acceleration.
• Disabled hardware acceleration: Some users found that "WebGL2: Hardware acceleration unavailable" was displayed in opera:gpu, suggesting the browser wasn't utilizing the GPU for WebGL2 content
• Browser crashes and delays: Experiencing long delays when starting Opera Developer, accompanied by error messages related to GPU processes.

Fortunately, solutions and workarounds were identified:

• Override Software Rendering List: Enabling this flag in opera:flags could force the browser to use hardware acceleration.
• Command-Line Options: Launching Opera with the --ignore-gpu-blacklist command could bypass the GPU blacklist and enable hardware acceleration.
• Disable GPU: As a last resort, running Opera with the --disable-gpu command can resolve startup delays and crashes, albeit at the cost of hardware acceleration.

One user (@alexs) reported that Opera Developer 51.0.2830 resolved GPU-related issues they experienced in the previous version. This highlights the importance of staying updated with the latest developer releases.

Extension Problems and Silent Disabling

Another issue reported was the silent disabling of extensions. Users found that their extensions were unexpectedly disabled after updating, without any notification. While the cause remained unclear, this issue underscores the importance of regularly checking extension status after browser updates.

Profile Corruption: A Potential Culprit

@zalex108 suggested that a corrupted user profile might be the cause of some issues. Renaming the existing profile folder forces Opera to create a new, clean profile, which can often resolve unexpected behavior.

New Features and Improvements in Opera Developer 51.0.2830.0

The Opera Developer 51.0.2830.0 update brought several notable enhancements:

• Imported Bookmarks Management: A dedicated "Imported Bookmarks" folder within the Bookmarks Manager streamlines organization.
• Ad Blocker Enhancements: Improved string matching algorithms resulted in performance increases of up to 13% in ad blocking efficiency. This builds on Opera's existing native ad blocking feature and anti-Bitcoin mining tool.
• Flash Control: A new option allows users to enable Flash for all websites without requiring permission prompts.
• AppleScript Support (Mac): Opera for Mac now supports AppleScript, enabling automation through snippets for Alfred or custom workflows.
• HiDPI Improvements: Enhancements for high-resolution displays.
• Chromium Update: Updated to Chromium version 64.0.3282.15, incorporating the latest security patches and performance improvements.

Conclusion

Opera Developer 51, like any development build, presented its share of initial challenges. However, through community discussion and subsequent updates, many of these issues were addressed. The update also brought a range of improvements, including enhanced ad blocking, better bookmark management, and new features for Mac users. By staying informed and actively participating in the Opera community, users can leverage the Developer edition to experience the cutting edge of browser technology and contribute to its ongoing development.