Vivaldi is a super-customizable browser that lets you adjust every menu, shortcut and toolbar to suit the way you use the web. It’s becoming a real contender to the likes of Firefox and Chrome, and Vivaldi 1.5 (released today) takes the web browsing experience beyond your screen by syncing your home lighting with the color scheme of the page you’re viewing.
If you own a set of Philips Hue smart lightbulbs, Vivaldi can shift their color dynamically to co-ordinate with your browser’s contents. The result is more immersive browsing, and the browser’s developers are already thinking of new uses for the technology.
“This is just a first step for us,” says Vivaldi CEO Jon von Tetzchner, “but imagine a world where you get notified for a new email or web notification through a light bulb.”
Other new features in Vivaldi 1.5 include the ability to drag stacked tabs between windows. Tab stacking enables you to collect several tabs together in a group that can be minimized, expanded, closed or bookmarked with a single click – great if you often find yourself with a confusing mass of tabs open at once.
There’s also a new Reader Mode button that strips away page clutter for easier reading, and the Notes tool now takes a screengrab automatically if you add a note from a text selection.
The final addition is designed for Windows users with slow connections. Delta updates download only the changes from the last release.
The best web browser 2016
It's easy to get stuck in a rut, using the same web browser for years without considering the alternatives. Whether your main priority is speed, flexibility or efficiency, there's something for you.
For more details, see our our full guide to the best web browsers
1. Google Chrome
A powerful and adaptable browser, Chrome is stable, well designed, and makes using the internet a joy.
2. Opera
Opera is an underrated browser with a superb Turbo mode for making the most of slow connections.
3. Microsoft Edge
Microsoft's new, user-friendly browser Edge is fully integrated with Windows 10's key features.
