Opera is stepping up its game in a big, bold way. Having already added a built-in ad-blocker and a free VPN to its web browser, Opera is now changing things up once more. The company considers these changes innovative enough to justify giving the latest release the codename of "Reborn".

In the world of web browsers, Opera has always been an innovator. Many of the essential elements found in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari first appeared in Opera. Including tabs, private browsing, and the humble pop-up blockers. Opera is still innovating too. Cue Opera Reborn...

Opera Is Reborn

Opera Reborn, or Opera 45 to give it its less evocative name, is Opera's latest attempt to reinvent the browser. Reborn introduces a new user interface, light and dark color themes, cleaner icons, performance and security improvements, and several new features.

The most obvious new feature is the integration of three popular messaging services: Messenger, WhatsApp, and Telegram. These are now baked into the browser, and always accessible via the sidebar. Which means that you can keep chatting with friends while you browse the web.

To enable a messaging app in Opera, just click on its icon and enter your login credentials. You can then use it in overlay or pin it next to your current tab. Either way, this provides fast and easy access to your messaging app of choice right from within your browser of choice.

Opera 45 is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux right now, or you can wait until your current Opera installation updates automatically over the next few days. Either way, you're in for a treat.

Neon Lights the Way Forward

It should be noted that Opera Reborn has borrowed heavily from Opera Neon, the experimental browser Opera teased us with back in January. Reborn may not be as innovative as Neon, but it certainly feels like a step along the road towards a brave new future for the humble browser.

Do you currently use Opera as your main desktop browser? If so, what do you think of it? And what makes it better than Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari? If not, why not? Are you likely to try Opera Reborn? Or does it not appeal? Please let us know in the comments below!