Summary
- UI Auto-hide removes Vivaldi’s UI for distraction‑free browsing; customizable and toggled with Ctrl+F11 or ⌘+F10
- Right‑click links to open as Follower Tabs beside the current tab, avoiding scattered tabs.
- Vivaldi Mail can open in its own window, and its RAM use has been reduced.
In the great browser wars, companies focus on adding new and enhanced features that the others don’t have. However, at the end of the day, the browser acts as a window through which we can, well, browse. And sometimes all those extra features, bars, and pop-ups feel a little too invasive.
If you like all the advanced features that modern-day apps have, but you sometimes wish your browser came with a little less browser, then Vivaldi has something you’ll want to check out. The newest version’s spotlight feature, 7.9, gets rid of all the visual clutter while you work, giving you more space to look at.
My favorite browser just got a huge update, and it’s still not AI
Vivaldi keeps winning
Vivaldi 7.9’s killer feature involves less Vivaldi
But in a good way
On the Vivaldi blog, the company explores what’s new in version 7.9. The star of the show is a feature that lets you remove the UI elements of Vivaldi when you’re hard at work, essentially adding a full-screen mode for every webpage available:
Every browser ships with a tab bar, an address bar, a status bar, and assorted toolbars. They are essential. They also take up space. Vivaldi 7.9 solves this with UI Auto-hide: enable it, and the entire interface steps aside while you read, watch, or work. Move your cursor to any edge of the screen and everything reappears instantly. Move away, and the content takes over again.
Vivaldi says you can customize the amount of stuff you hide. For example, if you like the idea of everything moving away to make space, but you still want to see the address bar at all times, you can set that up. Once you have it just the way you like it, all you need to do is hit ⌘ + F10 or Ctrl + F11, and Vivaldi will scoot out of the way.
Vivaldi has a few more nice tricks with its 7.9 update. For instance, you can now right-click links and open them as a Follower Tab. This will open in a new tab beside the one you’re in, so you can click on links in the article you’re reading without filling your bar with scattered tabs. Plus, Vivaldi Mail can now open in its own window, and its RAM footprint has been reduced.
Vivaldi 7.9 is available starting today, so be sure to head over to the download page and grab the newest version if you’re interested.
