Testing Opera Crypto Browser
Not long ago I was fantasizing about a browser for us crypto enthusiasts. It would have all the tools integrated and it was made by a coiner for a coiner. Got to have dreams. Well, just recently an ad for Opera's Crypto Browser caught my eye and I just had to download it and see what's so "crypto" about it.
Experience the world’s first Web3 browser, with additional privacy and security. Get access to Web3 DApps, a native non-custodial crypto wallet, and powerful Opera features.
Ok. This was the first thing I read on the official page and to me, it sounds like it's written for people who have just heard that Web3 is the next big thing and want to buy their first NFT.
By doing a bit more research, I began to think that this could be an honest push to introduce defi to the masses and perhaps make it less intimidating for beginners. Here's a quote from a blog by the Opera Crypto Ecosystem lead, Susie Batt:
If we are to take Web3 beyond great ideas, we need to craft products that embrace both crypto enthusiasts who understand the space and those who are only starting and want to explore it.
Nothing wrong with that. It seems that the project has been launched first in 2018 and relaunched in January 2022 and is now in the beta stage.
Closer Look
So after downloading and installing it I opened the browser and noticed that I'm on the starting page called Crypto Corner. There are market values of different crypto currencies moving slowly from right to left. By clicking the settings button next to them I can customize which currencies there are displayed. Added HIVE. Easy and fast.
When I start scrolling down the page I can check out the latest news. Elon is there of course. Then there are links to some of the biggest crypto news services, podcasts, and Youtube videos. Scrolling down more to the calendars section which includes upcoming airdrops, events(mostly AMAs), and TG, Discord, and Reddit communities. After that, there are the most known NFT marketplaces. At the bottom of the page, you can explore DAOs and watch educational videos.
Sidebar
On the left is the sidebar which is totally customizable. I chose to add Discord, Whatsapp, Telegram and Twitter. I kinda like the setting where they are all next to each other and they open up in smaller windows, not full screen.
There is also a player which you can choose to play music from Apple Music, Deezer, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tidal or Youtube Music. Cool thing is that it is also located on the sidebar... I always accidentally close the tab from where my 80s retro synthwave playlist is playing.
Screen Capture Tool
One other thing that I found might come in handy for especially content creators is the integrated screen capture tool which you can find in the right corner of the search tab. To me, it seems much more intuitive compared to a basic print screen option. You can still move and scale the area after taking the picture. You can also make a meme out of your picture right before saving... if that's your thing.
Uploading pictures is also made pretty user-friendly. I used to waste time searching for some of the recent screenshots in the jungle that is my desktop. Opera CB shows your clipboard and downloaded pictures in a clear latest first order.
Ape Board
I updated the browser while writing this and noticed that the Ape Board logo appeared on the sidebar. Just by copying your Metamask address to Ape Board, you can see your whole portfolio across the chains plus history and analytics. This is also nicely opening up in the small window. I'm beginning to like this browser more and more!
Pinboards
This can also be found on the sidebar and is like a scrapbook/notebook type of solution. You can add pictures, notes, and links from where ever you are surfing. From the snapshot tool I mentioned earlier, you can also send pictures to pinboards for later use. If I will get comfortable using this feature I think it will at least help to keep my messy desktop cleaner.
Performance, Privacy & Security
Opera has its own extensions too but Chrome ones seem to work fine. I installed Hive Keychain and tested Crypto Browser with PeakD, LeoFinance, and Splinterlands. PeakD and LeoFinance pages and posts were loading faster than with Brave, however, I have been having some issues with Brave speed so it could be just at my end. Splinterlands battles had some twitching even though all the elements loaded easily. Perhaps something to do with the refresh rate.
For privacy and security, Crypto Browser has ad- and tracker blockers and a free VPN which you can toggle on or off on the search bar.
Just like Brave, Crypto Browser has its own integrated crypto wallet. I didn't create one because Metamask and Hive Keychain are enough for me. It seems to support Ethereum, BNB, and Polygon networks among others.
Final Thoughts
To answer the question of how "crypto" this browser is, yeah, it's pretty crypto. There have obviously been developers approaching this from the crypto enthusiast's perspective. When I was writing this post and at the same time getting to know Crypto Browsers' features, I came to the conclusion that because of some of its agile features it is actually pretty damn good for content creators!
I'm not abandoning Brave but instead I think I'll use them side by side in the future. After such a short test I cannot say much about the overall performance but if there aren't any major issues, I will definitely be using this one for my content creation.
Thank you for reading!
Thumbnail image background: StockSnap Pixabay
Thumbnail image made with Canva
Divider by @kaliphae
Some of my other posts you might like:
- Changing My Focus To Hive, Leo and CTP
- A Short Guide On How To Maximize Your SPS Gains
- Defi Tools
- A Reason To Promote Hive: No Transaction Fees
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Great review. Cheers!
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
Thanks!
!CTP
!PIZZA
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
Saludos @brando28 por aquí dando lectura a tu publicación. Interesante lo que nos presentas y comentas del navegador Opera's Crypto Browser. Cómo lo presentas se visualiza que es amigable y con beneficios. Reconozco que no soy experta en estas cosas, pero me gusta aprender. Felicidades.
Feliz semana para tí.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I know I sounded a bit like a fanboy there but after the short test, I couldn't find anything to criticize.
Have a great week too!
!CTP
!PIZZA
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
Fue muy instructivo, formativo y de aprendizaje lo que nos presentas. Agradecida por el ctp y la pizza.
Feliz semana para tí.
Thank you! Same to you!
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
Didn't heard of this crypto browser before. I thought opera is already dead. 😅
Hah! Me too! But yeah, it's good. Thanks for stopping by!
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
Yeah, might as well check this browser since you said it may become your favorite
Go ahead! So far so good. I really like adding favorite Hive/Leo posts to pinboards.
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
Will need to check it out you sound pretty positive
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
You should! Still haven't found anything to rant about it...
!CTP
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
That's something to try out :) The sidebar is a nice addition.
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
It sure is if you are like me with over 10 tabs open...
Thanks for reading!
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
I usually have more than 10 tabs lol! Counting it now, I have 13, haha!
You're welcome and thanks too.
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Thanks for the info on Opera. It sounds promising and like an interesting rabbit hole to explore.
!CTP
Thanks for reading! I think I fell into that rabbit hole! 😅
!CTP
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
Interesting, to see other browsers with the crypto features added in will be the new norm soon i expect @brando28
!ALIVE
!CTP 😎
@brando28! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @benthomaswwd. (14/20)
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Yeah, I hope so too!
!CTP
Think it would be daft not too these days @brando28
Look forward to more development in this area😎
Have the best day
!ALIVE
!CTP
@brando28! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @benthomaswwd. (20/20)
The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want.
Will be watching closely how things develop on this area. Thanks for the tip!
!CTP
You are welcome stay safe and well 😎
@brando28
!LUV
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Wow I didn't know Opera had such an installment.
Me neither until just recently! Thanks for stopping by!
!CTP
I usually use BRAVE, but will definitely check Opera out too!
!PIZZA
You should! That screenshot tool combined with that pinboard thing = best for content creators
!PIZZA
Great review of opera. I had heard of Opera but did not know a thing about it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I've also heard of their browsers before, never used one though. This Crypto one was a pleasant surprise indeed.
!CTP
!PIZZA
Thanks for sharing this review. I hadn't ever heard of this browser before. Does it work on both PCs and Macs? I have a PC laptop.
!CTP
Yes, it does! I've tested it also on PC laptop.
I haven't heard of either, nice surprise though! Thank you for reblogging!
!CTP
Thanks for that, @brando28@ And you're welcome! Happy Midweek! 😀
!CTP
Cheers! Same to you!
!CTP
Thank you and Happy Weekend, @brando28!
Thanks for your post. I have been using Opera on and off for years. this looks like an interesting version.
!CTP
Thanks for reading! I'm a total newbie with Opera but really like this so far. Thanks for the tip!
!CTP
!PIZZA
Thanks for sharing this review! I've been eyeing Opera again because of how it looks but still hesitant to make a move... Running on Edge and Brave, still!
After the review I've almost completely switched to Opera. Main reason is the features that help content creation. Thanks for stopping by!
!PIZZA