Newsletter
One of the more popular Google Chrome alternatives for Android, Vivaldi, is being updated to version 5.3 with some big changes in tow. This comes just under two months after the company released version 5.2 of the browser.
Vivaldi 5.3 also brings minor upgrades to the Translate Panel
First among the list of changes is the ability to edit and rename Two-Level Tab Stacks. To get started, users simply have to select a tab stack and tap “Edit Tab Stack” via the menu. You can then remove, rename or add new tabs to the stack. Alternatively, users can long-press the tab stack they wish to edit to open up the edit screen.
Moving on, users can now use a swipe-down gesture from the address bar to open the Tab Switcher. This can be enabled by heading to Settings – General and toggling “Enable Address bar swipe gesture.”
Vivaldi 5.3 further brings some improvements to the recently added Translate Panel. It can now search for additional languages via the dropdown. Users can also start typing the language they want to use on the dropdown list. There are 108 languages to choose from, and all recent translations are accessible through Panels. “Because the only servers involved here are Vivaldi’s, you can translate with confidence that Big Tech isn’t watching,” the company quips.
Vivaldi is the “first and only” browser to be available on Android Automotive OS
Lastly, Vivaldi will begin syncing search engine data across all devices, including Chromebooks, desktops, and even cars. To enable this feature, users need to sign in using their Vivaldi account. All data lives within Vivaldi’s servers and are end-to-end encrypted.
The developers note that the Vivaldi browser also made its way to automobiles from manufacturers like Renault and Polestar. Incidentally, this also means Vivaldi is the “first and only” browser currently accessible through Android Automotive OS.
If you already use Vivaldi, the update has likely reached the Google Play Store by now. If you’re new to the app, it’s probably the right time to check it out. Although Vivaldi leverages Chromium, it aims to offer a secure browsing experience without the fear of trackers. “Unlike Google, we aren’t an advertising company. Our business model is not about collecting user data and monetizing it,” the company says in a January 2021 blog post.
