Opera’s Neon browser integrates three distinct AI bots designed to assist users in various tasks. This multi-bot system allows users to perform multiple AI-related activities within the browser, potentially streamlining their experience, but can also lead to confusion about which bot to use for specific tasks.
Launched last month, Opera began onboarding users from its waitlist for the Neon browser, entering a competitive landscape that includes AI-driven browsers such as Google Chrome with Gemini, Perplexity’s Comet, and The Browser Company’s Dia. Notably, Opera charges a subscription fee of $19.90 per month, unlike many free alternatives.
Neon features a familiar setup for Opera users, with built-in ad blocking, a VPN, and a customizable sidebar with apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. AI functions are prominently displayed on the home and new tab screens, offering users four settings: a standard internet search, a chatbot named Chat, an active agent called Do, and an AI builder labeled Make.
Chat, designed for straightforward queries, can provide answers to various questions but may generate overly verbose responses. For instance, its attempt to summarize recent comments on Verge articles resulted in a lengthy output that did not accurately reflect the actual number of comments. Opera’s representatives suggested that this issue arose due to using the wrong AI tool for the query.
Do operates differently, executing tasks like booking appointments but can be limited by its inability to switch back to Chat within the same window. It has shown mixed success in completing tasks, sometimes producing incorrect results or missing important information.
Make allows users to create simple web tools, regularly downloading necessary resources without cluttering local storage. Additionally, Neon offers a feature called Cards, which presents prewritten prompts for the AI agents, though their practical utility appears limited at this stage.
Overall, Opera acknowledges that Neon is currently in an early access phase, with further development needed to refine its functions. However, the subscription model raises questions about its appeal to users when many free alternatives are already available.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/801899/opera-neon-ai-browser-trial-run