Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer visual clutter of your web browser? A constant barrage of tabs, toolbars, and panels vying for your attention? Vivaldi, the Scandinavian browser, asks a simple question: do you really need to see it all, all the time?
The latest version, 7.9, introduces a revolutionary feature called UI auto-hide. It’s a clever solution that intelligently conceals elements you don’t constantly require – the address bar, bookmarks, side panel – mirroring a similar option available for the Windows taskbar. Imagine a cleaner, more focused browsing experience.
Customization is key. Within Vivaldi’s settings, you have granular control over what disappears. Choose to hide everything, or selectively conceal specific elements like the tab bar, panel, or status bar. You can even configure auto-hide to activate automatically when entering full-screen mode.
But don’t worry, nothing is truly gone. Simply move your mouse to the edge of the screen, and the hidden interface gracefully reappears. Initial impressions are…interesting. The idea of vanishing tabs feels a little unsettling, and the URL bar, doubling as a search field, presents a tough decision about whether to conceal it.
Vivaldi isn’t the first to explore this territory. Other browsers, like Edge, have offered bookmark hiding for years. Arc browser introduced “Boosts” in 2023, allowing manual removal of website elements. This update represents a bolder step towards a streamlined interface, though it may require a period of adjustment.
Alongside UI auto-hide, Vivaldi 7.9 introduces “Follower Tabs,” a novel approach to managing browsing trails. How often do you lose track of your original page after clicking through a series of links, ending up with a chaotic collection of tabs?
Follower Tabs aim to solve this. Right-clicking a link now offers the option to open it as a “tiled follower tab,” appearing to the right of your current tab. These tabs, along with the originating page, are neatly organized into a second row above the main tab bar, creating a visual pathway.
While promising, Follower Tabs feel slightly unfinished. The expected behavior of subsequent tabs – a tiled collection or a sliding window – didn’t fully materialize during testing. However, the organization of the original tab and its followers in the secondary tab row is a welcome addition, and a good reason to keep those tab bars visible.
Finally, Vivaldi 7.9 allows you to detach the Mail composer into its own dedicated window, offering a more flexible email experience. It’s a small but significant refinement.
Vivaldi consistently delivers thoughtful features, earning a dedicated following. Its integrated RSS feed reader remains a standout benefit. While not without its critics – a more robust sync experience is a common request – Vivaldi continues to push the boundaries of browser customization and usability.
