Opera has released a new version of its Android browser, introducing Web Real Time Communications (WebRTC) support for video chats right from the browser. New feature brings Opera in line with Chrome and Firefox which launched the WebRTC support for Android browser last year.
Opera had been testing the feature in its beta channel since last month. The WebRTC support is already available on Opera’s desktop browser. The WebRTC support means users can have web-based real time communications via the browser and without requiring plugins or a separate app in case of smartphone.
The WebRTC project is backed by Google, Mozilla and Opera, and is aimed at providing new browser-based apps that use JavaScript APIs and HTML5 to access the camera and mic on a device.
“The web is the ultimate meeting place for all forms of communication, so why not build video communication capabilities right into the mobile browser?” says Peter Wallman, SVP of Mobile Products at Opera Software. “We have worked with the folks at appear.in before, and their site is a very neat example of how to combine cutting-edge web technologies into a useful service that is free and simple to use, yet powerful.”
In addition to the WebRTC support, the new Opera for Android browser brings in a fresh look for the Speed Dials, reflecting a flat design. Now, users have an option to customise browser navigation bars to suit their phone or tablet.
The update also fixes multiple bugs in text-wrap and text selection are squashed. There’s improvements to search sees the combined search and address bar.
Opera for Android is now available in the Google Play store for phone or tablet running Android 4.0 or higher.