Vivaldi (web browser)

Vivaldi began as a virtual community website that replaced My Opera, which was shut down by Opera Software in March 2014.{{cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/ex-ceo-picks-up-where-opera-left-off-launching-vivaldi-site/ | title=Ex-CEO picks up where Opera left off, launching Vivaldi site | publisher=CBS Interactive | work=CNET | date=23 January 2014 | last=Shankland | first=Stephen}} Von Tetzchner was angered by this decision because he believed that this community helped make the Opera web browser what it was. Von Tetzchner then launched the Vivaldi Community—a virtual community focused on providing registered users with a discussion forum, blogging service, and numerous other practical web services—to make up for My Opera's closure.

Later, on 27 January 2015, Vivaldi Technologies launched the first technical preview of the Vivaldi web browser.{{Cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |date=2015-01-27 |title=Ex-Opera CEO composes Vivaldi, a new Web browser |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ex-opera-ceo-launches-new-browser-vivaldi/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=CNET}} In the first 10 days of being available, Vivaldi was downloaded 500,000 times, which, according to von Tetzchner, was "a very high number, especially if you consider that it's still a technical preview".{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-internet-vivaldi-idUSKBN0LA1JH20150206 | title=Vivaldi browser hits 500,000 downloads in first 10 days | work=Reuters | date=6 February 2015 | last=Dagenborg | first=Joachim|access-date=2 May 2015|location=Oslo, Norway|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208202934/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/06/us-internet-vivaldi-idUSKBN0LA1JH20150206|archive-date=8 February 2015|url-status=live}} The browser's name comes from the Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi, which, according to Tatsuki Tomita, is an easy name to be remembered and understood worldwide.{{cite web |title=Vivaldi: testamos o navegador de internet que tem personalização completa |url=https://www.tecmundo.com.br/navegador/88912-vivaldi-testamos-navegador-internet-tem-personalizacao-completa.htm |website=Tecmundo |publisher=Grupo NZN |date=4 November 2015 |access-date=7 November 2015 |language=pt}}

The first stable release of the browser, version 1.0, was released on 6 April 2016.{{cite web |url=https://vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi-finale-1-0/|title=Vivaldi 1.0: Not for everybody, just you|date=6 April 2016|access-date=23 November 2023|work=Vivaldi Technologies}} Initially being available only for Linux, macOS, and Windows, Vivaldi was launched with the intent of giving additional functionality when other browsers on the market at the time tried "their best at simplifying, and streamlining their products", according to Ars Technica.{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/04/vivaldi-browser-version-1-0-released/ | title=Vivaldi 1.0 tries to reverse web browser simplification trend | work= Ars Technica| date=6 April 2016|access-date = 8 April 2016 | last=Andrii | first= Degeler}}

In September 2021, Vivaldi replaced Firefox as the default browser on the Manjaro Cinnamon Community Edition to a mixed reception from the Linux community, as Vivaldi is not "free and open source software";{{Cite web |last=Borisov |first=Bobby |date=9 September 2021 |url=https://linuxiac.com/manjaro-cinnamon-edition-switched-from-firefox-to-vivaldi/ |title=Manjaro Cinnamon Edition Decided to Switch from Firefox to Vivaldi |publisher=Linuxiac |access-date=13 October 2023}} Manjaro developers cited this decision on Vivaldi's feature-richness and exceptional customisability.{{Cite web |url=https://betanews.com/2021/09/09/manjaro-linux-cinnamon-vivaldi-web/ |title=Vivaldi Replaces Firefox as the Default Browser on Manjaro Linux Cinnamon |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=18 September 2021 |publisher=betanews}} In December 2021, Vivaldi became the first web browser to be available for the Android Automotive operating system used in the Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar's Polestar 2.{{cite web |url=https://vivaldi.com/blog/a-browser-first-vivaldi-now-in-polestar-2/ |title=Vivaldi in Polestar: The first browser for Android Automotive OS |work=Vivaldi Browser |date=22 December 2021}}

File:Chromeless UI w przeglądarce Vivaldi w OS X.png

Vivaldi has a distinctive user interface with basic icons and fonts, and, optionally, a colour scheme that changes based on the background and design of the web page being visited.{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/08/vivaldi-chrome-alternative-tech-preview-2/ | title=Vivaldi Is Quickly Becoming The Alternative Browser To Beat | work= TechCrunch| date=March 8, 2015 | last=Lardinois | first= Frederic}} The browser also allows users to customise the appearance of UI elements such as background colour, overall theme, address bar and tab positioning, start pages and even its icons and some of its other elements.{{cite web | url=https://www.ghacks.net/2015/06/02/latest-vivaldi-snapshot-introduces-interface-scaling/ | title=Latest Vivaldi snapshot introduces interface scaling | work= Ghacks| date=June 2, 2015 | last= Brinkmann | first= Martin|access-date=June 19, 2015}} According to CEO Jon von Tetzchner, Vivaldi's unique customisability is how the browser caters to experienced users.{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/15/vivaldi-browser-gets-new-customization-options-mouse-gestures-and-experimental-chrome-extension-support/ | title=Vivaldi Browser Gets New Customization Options, Mouse Gestures And Experimental Chrome Extension Support | publisher=AOL Inc. | work= TechCrunch| date=July 16, 2015 | last= Frederic | first= Lardinois |access-date=July 16, 2015}}

Vivaldi comes with built-in ad blocker, pop up blocker and tracker blocker. These features block intrusive ads, help web pages load faster, and protect against malicious ads and trackers.{{cite web|url=https://vivaldi.com/features/ad-blocker/|title = Ad Blocker – fast and free, no extensions needed}} It comes with built-in e-mail client with IMAP and POP3 support. Some of the Mail features are saved searches, offline message search, powerful messages filtering and text formatting .{{cite web|url=https://vivaldi.com/features/mail/|title = Mail | an email client built into your browser | Vivaldi}} The browser can be used as a feed reader to save RSS and Atom feeds, plus managing them in an easy and direct way using tools like [https://help.vivaldi.com/mail/mail-advanced/mail-labels/ Labels] and [https://help.vivaldi.com/article/mail-flags/ Flags] .{{cite web|url=https://vivaldi.com/features/feed-reader/|title = Feed Reader | Read feeds from the sources you choose | Vivaldi}} It also comes with built-in Vivaldi Calendar to manage events in the browser.{{cite web|url=https://vivaldi.com/features/calendar/|title = Calendar | Manage private and shared calendars | Vivaldi}} Vivaldi Translate is powered by Lingvanex, and can instantly translate whole websites or only certain words from them, without the need for third-party extensions.{{cite web|url=https://vivaldi.com/features/translate/|title=Translate | Private translation on desktop and Android | Vivaldi}}

Vivaldi features the ability to "stack" and "tile" tabs, annotate web pages, and add notes to bookmarks.{{cite web | url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2015/04/28/latest-vivaldi-browser-preview-brings-useful-tab-stacking-feature-mouse-gestures-and-more/ | title=Latest Vivaldi browser preview brings useful tab stacking feature and more | work=The Next Web | date=April 28, 2015 | last=Williams | first=Owen}}{{cite web | url= https://www.pcworld.com/article/2915914/this-is-neat-you-can-stack-and-tile-browser-tabs-in-the-vivaldi-beta-browser-for-power-users.html | title=This is neat: You can stack and tile browser tabs in the Vivaldi beta browser for power users | work=PCWorld | date=April 28, 2015 | last=Paul | first= Ian}} Furthermore, users can place digital bookmarks on a Speed Dial page{{Cite web |date=2016-01-29 |title=Speed Dials |url=https://help.vivaldi.com/desktop/bookmarks-speed-dial/speed-dials/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Vivaldi Browser Help |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-31 |title=Speed Dials in Vivaldi on Android |url=https://help.vivaldi.com/android/android-bookmarks/android-speed-dials/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Vivaldi Browser Help |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-24 |title=Speed Dials in Vivaldi on iOS |url=https://help.vivaldi.com/ios/ios-bookmarks/speed-dials-in-vivaldi-on-ios/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Vivaldi Browser Help |language=en-US}} for quick access and harness [https://help.vivaldi.com/desktop/shortcuts/quick-commands/ Quick Commands] to search bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, and settings.{{cite web|url=https://hackerspace.kinja.com/vivaldi-browser-a-quick-look-at-the-opera-successor-1681989432|title=Vivaldi Browser: a Quick Look at the Opera Successor|first=Victor|last=Clarke|website=hackerspace.lifehacker.com|publisher=LifeHacker|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2015|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115080108/https://hackerspace.kinja.com/vivaldi-browser-a-quick-look-at-the-opera-successor-1681989432|url-status=dead}} Vivaldi is built around and based on web technologies such as HTML5, Node.js, React.js, and numerous NPM modules.{{cite web | url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2015/01/27/meet-vivaldi-new-browser-former-ceo-opera/ | title=Meet Vivaldi, a new browser from the former CEO of Opera | work=The Next Web | date=January 27, 2015 | last=Williams | first=Owen}} As of Technical Preview 4, Vivaldi also supports numerous mouse gestures for actions like tab switching and keyboard activation. Vivaldi can also be set to a "Chromeless UI", which gives users more screen real-estate and the ability to focus on a single page without distractions.{{cite web | url=https://vivaldi.net/en-US/blogs/teamblog/item/41-snapshot-1-0-228-3-with-chromeless-ui | title=Snapshot 1.0.228.3 – With Chromeless UI | work=Vivaldi Technologies | date=July 17, 2015 | last=Ødegaard | first= Ruarí|archive-url= https://archive.today/20160402225657/https://vivaldi.net/en-US/teamblog/41-snapshot-1-0-228-3-with-chromeless-ui|archive-date= April 2, 2016|url-status=dead}} To accommodate users who prefer to use a large number of tabs at the same time, Vivaldi supports hibernation, aka Tab Hibernation for both individual tabs and for tab stacks, freeing resources while the user does not actively use those tabs.

Vivaldi can use many browser extensions developed for Google Chrome and Firefox (they both use the WebExtensions API{{Cite web|title=MDN: Browser Extensions|date=June 8, 2023 |url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions|quote=Extensions, or add-ons, can modify and enhance the capability of a browser. Extensions for Firefox are built using the WebExtensions API cross-browser technology. The technology for extensions in Firefox is, to a large extent, compatible with the extension API supported by Chromium-based browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. In most cases, extensions written for Chromium-based browsers run in Firefox with just a few changes.}}), and users can install extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store. Most of these work properly in Vivaldi, except for themes specific to Google Chrome, due to Vivaldi using a unique backend for rendering the UI compared to the typical render for themes used by most Chromium-based browsers.{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/07/16/sick-of-chrome-vivaldi-can-now-run-your-favorite-extensions/|title=Sick of Chrome? Vivaldi can now run your favorite extensions|first=Owen|last=Williams|work=The Next Web|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://help.vivaldi.com/article/extensions/|title=Using Extensions in Vivaldi|work=Vivaldi Browser Help|date=January 29, 2016}}

{{Further|Usage share of web browsers}}

Starting with version 2.10, Vivaldi changed its user agent string to mimic a generic build of Chromium, which results in it not being recorded as a unique browser and causing a decrease in its recorded market share.{{cite web|url=https://vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi-2-10-no-strings-attached-2/ | title=Vivaldi 2.10: No strings attached | date=December 19, 2019 | publisher=Vivaldi Technologies}}

{{Expand section|date=December 2021}}

Ars Technica reviewer Scott Gilbertson wrote about version 1.0 in April 2016. He praised its innovative features, such as its tab handling, while noting that it will most likely remain a niche browser and not see widespread uptake.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/04/even-at-1-0-vivaldi-closes-in-on-the-cure-for-the-common-browser/|title=Even at 1.0, Vivaldi closes in on the cure for the common browser|work=Ars Technica|last=Gilbertson|first=Scott|date=April 28, 2016|access-date=April 29, 2016}} In October 2018, Gilbertson gave version 2.0 a very positive review and stated that Vivaldi is now his usual browser and that he would be hard put to go back to a browser without its unique features.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/10/vivaldi-2-0-review-meet-your-ideal-browser-if-youre-willing-to-invest-time/|title=Vivaldi 2.0 review: The modern Web browser does not have to be so bland|work=Ars Technica|last=Gilbertson|first=Scott|date=October 19, 2018|access-date=October 19, 2018}}

Ghacks editor-in-chief Martin Brinkmann wrote about the privacy of Vivaldi in January 2018. He criticised the lack of an opt-out option for the unique user ID it generates to get general statistics about the browser's userbase, but commented that the unique ID "is easy enough to delete" and "it is different anyway if you use Vivaldi on multiple devices".{{cite web | url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/01/30/vivaldi-browser-privacy/ | title=Vivaldi browser and privacy | work=Ghacks | last=Brinkmann | first=Martin | date=January 30, 2018 | access-date=January 22, 2022}}

TechRadar's managing editor, Desire Athow, published a review of Vivaldi in August 2021. In the review, Athow praised the browser's focus on the productivity, highlighting its advanced tab management features such as tab hibernation, multi-tab management, and split-screen view. However, he also pointed out that Vivaldi's extensive feature set and high degree of customizability can also be overwhelming for a casual user, making it clear that browser is not designed for everyone.{{Cite web |last=Athow |first=Desire |date=2021-08-29 |title=Vivaldi browser review |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/vivaldi |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=TechRadar}}

Wired's senior writer, Scott Gilbertson, reviewed version 4.0 of the browser in June 2021. He praised the high number of customization options, suggesting it might be the "Emacs of web browsers" for its personalized user experience. Gilbertson highlighted the browser's unique features, including a built-in email client, RSS feed reader, calendar, and translation tools. Additionally, he recommended Vivaldi to users searching for a more tailored and efficient browsing experience, while also praising its performance.{{Cite magazine |last=Gilbertson |first=Scott |title=You're Probably Not Using the Web's Best Browser |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/vivaldi-4-2021/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=1059-1028}}

PC world's Staff Writer Michael Crider said in a July 2024 article "After a month, I’m finding that there’s nothing I want to do with Vivaldi that I can’t", but criticised it for not being able to handle multiple tabs without bugs. {{Cite web |title=I got sick of Chrome's BS and switched to Vivaldi. Here's what happened |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2384494/i-finally-got-sick-of-chromes-bs-and-switched-to-vivaldi.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=PCWorld |language=en}}

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