Opera Kestrel go on its first flight on Tuesday

8th September 2007

At Tuesday the first free alpha version of Opera 9.5 is coming out, known under the code name Kestrel. This will be the first major update since the release of Opera 9.0 more than a year ago. Kestrel has been in development for more than a year.
This version of the browser contains a new ECMAscript engine, which uses less system resources, compared with the previous one, providing faster and smoother surfing.
Much attention was paid to the embedded application for reading mail. Opera Mail works faster and uses less memory. Also problems with the program hang when receiving e-mails and newsletters have been fixed. In addition, work with several accounts has been improved; there is support of displaying mailbox in a hierarchical form, drafts processing has been improved. Mail bar interface was improved as well.
Kestrel also offers many other improvements that affect compatibility with some sites (the most irritating error for Opera users). In particular, fixed problems with Google sites, with a standard template WordPress, in different JavaScript libraries. Kestrel also supports some new options to help to improve compatibility with sites. There is support of properties CSS "overflow-x" and "overflow-y", JavaScript and Getters Setters.
Kestrel will be the first release of Opera after the 7th version, supporting programs for reading from the screen. The program will be compatible with Window-Eyes, Jaws and VoiceOver under OS X. In addition, improved spatial navigation and simplified hotkeys.
Opera 9.5 will be the first version of the browser, released for 64-bit systems.