Opera’s new Webkit browser arrives on Play Store in beta

Less than a month after formally announcing that it had ditched Presto, the rendering engine that had until then powered Opera web browser, in favour of WebKit, Opera has released a beta version of its new browser onto the Google Play Store.

The new browser, which Opera says will be quicker than its predecessor, will most likely look very similar to Chrome for Android. It’s apparently features a new interface and incorporates Opera Mini, allowing you to surf in either data-optimized mode or use the full browser experience.

The browser runs native web apps, although its most prominent feature is Discovery which recommends content for users and, according to CEO Lars Boilesen offers them a “lean-back surfing experience”, based on a number of factors including previous clicks, web page history and their location.

Over 230-million of Opera’s 300-million or so global users are on mobile. Hardly surprising then that it marked the move to WebKit by expressing its intent to dominate the smartphone browser market.

“On the final stretch up to 300-million users, we have experienced the fastest acceleration in user growth we have ever seen. Now, we are shifting into the next gear to claim a bigger piece of the pie in the smartphone market,” Boilesen said at the time.