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Android Automotive's first (and only) browser has big plans for the future
Vivaldi's CEO shares his plans to repeat Opera Mini's success story
Android Automotive is slowly but steadily taking over the car market. The car-optimized version of Android is running on quite a few manufactures' in-vehicle infotainment systems, allowing you to access all your favorite apps, like Google Maps, Spotify, and more, on the go. One thing has been missing for a long time, though, and that’s a regular web browser for you to use while your car is parked. Vivaldi changed that back in December 2021, becoming the first (and so far only) browser to make itself available for cars.
Vivaldi’s latest update blocks those pesky auto-playing videos
Vivaldi 5.7 packs several other improvements as well
Made by former Opera developers, Vivaldi is among the most feature-rich Android browsers you can try. With its last update in December 2022, Vivaldi added one-click access to Mastodon in its sidebar, making it one of only a few web browsers on Android to actively back the decentralized microblogging platform. Two months later, Vivaldi is back with another major update for its browser that will stop those pesky auto-playing videos from playing automatically. The update also promises faster load times and an improved user interface.
Vivaldi has been one of the more interesting forks to come out of Chromium and we've covered a few of the browser's updates from time to time on Android Police. The latest push to version 5.6 on the desktop, though, does bring into view the wider sentiment against Twitter since Elon Musk's acquisition.
Vivaldi browser wants to get rid of those annoying cookie banners once and for all
And other improvements coming with version 3.8
Vivaldi is among the most customizable and powerful Chromium-based browsers out there, and today, the company is launching yet another intriguing update. Vivaldi 3.8 helps you get rid of the pesky cookie banners that pop up whenever you visit a new website. It also adds an option to switch the app language independently from your system's preferences.
Nobody wants anything to do with Google's new tracking mechanism FLoC
Almost all browsers and privacy advocates slam the third-party cookie replacement
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Google is about to shake up the status quo on tracking with its newly proposed browser-based Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) tracking mechanism, which it introduced as a replacement for the outgoing third-party cookies the advertisement industry still heavily relies on. But many privacy advocates like the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) and search engine DuckDuckGo think FLoC could turn out to be even worse and more invasive than third-party cookies, and most browser makers were fast to join in on that stance. Almost all of them have vowed or at least hinted that they won't support FLoC in their products, including those based on Google's open-source Chromium rendering engine also used in Chrome.
Vivaldi Browser 3.6 lets you tweak websites to your liking with Page Actions
A QR code reader and external download manager support is also on board
Vivaldi may "just" be another Chromium fork, but the browser packs some unique features. Its interface is customizable to the bone, offering desktop-like tabs, a bottom bar, and a forced dark mode. Now the Android browser is expanding these capabilities to websites with version 3.6, giving you the option to modify their appearance. Vivaldi also gains a QR code reader, new Speed Dial features, and support for external download managers with this update.
Vivaldi 3.5 can clear your browsing data when you exit the app (APK Download)
Plus native protection against WebRTC leaks
Privacy-focused web browser Vivaldi debuted on Android only a few months ago with encrypted sync and native protection against trackers. In the following months, it got better at forcing dark mode on all websites, which worked well for the most part. The browser maker is now pushing a new update to its Android app that brings the option to clear your browsing data upon exiting the app, plus the ability to prevent WebRTC IP leaks, much like its desktop counterpart, in addition to a couple of other feature enhancements.
Vivaldi started putting more options into its various bottom bars with version 3.2, and now, a year after the browser's initial beta release on Android, the company has decided to allow users to go all-in on bottom navigation. Version 3.3 of the Chromium-based browser lets you move the tab and address bar to the bottom of the interface. There are also smaller improvements to content and ad-blocking.
Vivaldi 3.2 makes its bottom bar more consistent and improves privacy
And the Tab Strip is now called Tab Bar
Vivaldi went stable on Android this year, but the developers behind the Chromium-based browser aren't resting on their laurels. Following the introduction of a forced dark mode for all websites in June, the team is now turning its attention to making the bottom bar more consistent. It's also going more private by giving users enhanced control over tracker and ad blocking via access to additional blocklists.
The best Android browsers with dark mode
Because the web can be just as bold and beautiful as your dark Android theme
Dark mode was admittedly one of my favorite experimental flags in Chrome for Android. Not only did it force web pages to match my device's dark theme, but it also saved my retinas from catching fire while reading articles at night. So imagine my chagrin when we found out Chrome will be sunsetting dark mode later this year. Luckily, there are other Android browsers in the Play Store that offer their take on dark mode for web content.
Vivaldi v3.1 can force dark mode on all websites (APK download)
Some sites don’t play nicely, though
A few months after Vivaldi for Android hit its first stable build with desktop-like tabs, tracker blocking, and bottom bar navigation, version 3.1 of the browser has been released. It mostly packs minor bug fixes, but hard-core dark mode fans might love the one new addition coming with it: A forced dark theme for website content.
Vivaldi for Android goes stable with desktop-style tab strip and tracker blocking
One of the most customizable Chromium browsers is finally out of beta on Android
Vivaldi is among the most customizable Chromium-based browsers out there (following Opera's example) and made the jump to Android last year in the form of a beta. After extensive testing, the makers of the browser have announced that they're launching the stable release of Vivaldi today, complete with a slew of new features first seen in the latest snapshot builds: a desktop-like tab strip at the top, built-in tracker and ad blocking, and more.
The desktop Vivaldi browser has become popular over the years for its customization abilities, allowing people to fine-tune every part of the browser to suit their needs. The first beta of Vivaldi for Android showed promise, but it was still light on features. Beta 2 is here to fix that, as it adds plenty of new functionality while fixing some bugs.
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- Today Vivaldi has further announced a new set of "Snapshot" releases for its Android browser, which include changes before they hit the Beta or "Final" stable release. (Think Dev/Canary releases, but there doesn't seem to be a fixed nightly-style schedule.) Changelogs for Android Snapshots will be announced via the Vivaldi Snapshot blog, and a new Play Store listing for the Snapshot release has been published.
Vivaldi has a reputation for being an extremely customizable Chromium-based browser, all while working very fast. It was created by the same developers that brought us Opera, and shares many of those same genes. After staying exclusively on desktops for the past three years, Vivaldi is finally available as a beta on Android starting today.