On June 20, Opera Software officially announced the release of Opera 9, the new browser that includes support for “widgets,” adds a security tool bar, and integrates support for the BitTorrent file-distribution system.
The official release follows a preview version, where Opera tipped its plans to add widgets, small snippets of code that serve as plug-ins, as well as the BitTorrent support.
“For Opera 9, we worked hard to push the limits of what people expect from a Web browser, with increased speed, new Web standards support and innovative features such as widgets and BitTorrent,” said Jon S. von Tetzchner, chief executive of Opera Software, in a statement. “Even though we shaped this browser for the Webs future, we have the powerful features people want and need for their surfing today. I truly feel Opera 9 has something for everyone.”
Although content groups like the RIAA and MPAA have worked to shut down BitTorrent sites distributing copyrighted content, the software itself has not been targeted.
“We first launched BitTorrent as an integrated technology in Opera last summer (in an early technical preview),” said Tor Odland, an Opera spokesperson, in an e-mail. “Weve since then included it in several betas running up to todays final. As of yet we have not had a formal complaint from RIAA or MPAA. We are working closely with BitTorrent, Inc., on licensing the technology from them.”