Send in your questions for the next Opera Tech Break episode

June 23, 2011 · by Espen André Øverdahl

Speed Dial extensions is a new technology coming in Opera 11.50. It breathes new life to your Opera Speed Dial. Information is now dynamic. You can track currencies, get weather reports, watch calendars and get news instantly with feeds. What is the future of Speed Dial and how does this affect you? Can web developers now rethink how to display information?

We give you the opportunity to ask anything you want about Speed Dial Extensions to Richard Tibbett, Platform Architect in the Core team and Arnstein Teigene, Product Manger for Opera Desktop. They will discuss, demonstrate and answer as many of your questions as possible.

Deadline for submitting your question for the next Opera Tech Break episode is June 30th.

Readers' comments 41

Left under the original article, as archived.

Espen André ØverdahlThursday, June 23, 2011 11:28:56 AM
And by "Send in your questions" we mean simply post them as a comment here.
TamilThursday, June 23, 2011 11:29:44 AM
Will you add in future an option to select region for Speed Dial thumbnail?
Andries FikkertThursday, June 23, 2011 11:37:07 AM
Will it in the future be possible to add links in a speed dial extension so that people can click on that link?

Short: Is it going to be possible to interact in a speed dial extension?
SerpherThursday, June 23, 2011 11:47:41 AM
Moderator note: Keep questions on topic.
AkbalderThursday, June 23, 2011 11:53:01 AM
Is there any plan for Speed Dial extensions synchronization using Opera Link ?
Gandre YERROThursday, June 23, 2011 11:54:34 AM
Will it be possible to stack dials ? To make some sort of dials folder ? This feature is in some extensions (on Chrome and Firefox) and I think it is very useful.
Pramod GhugeThursday, June 23, 2011 12:03:08 PM

But my question is whether speed dial extensions can take user input so that new extensions with functionality such as search / quizzes / polls / status update can be built..

Mod edit: Trolling part of comment removed.
SiDThursday, June 23, 2011 12:11:27 PM
When will Opera finally be recongnized as a mainstream browser so that we do not have to 'Mask as Firefox' anymore?

Will you be adding in the custom default zoom feature in Opera anytime soon?
KonstantinThursday, June 23, 2011 12:22:42 PM
1. What about debugging SD-extensions? In case of onmessage handler in extension the only possible debug tool is opera.postError(). It makes things harder.
2. What about combined SD/Normal extensions? I have this functional in my oKlout extension (beta). It can work (and works for me) in Opera 11.11 and in Opera 11.50. But if I want only in-page functional in Opera 11.50 (with disabled SD), I can't get it.
3. I see, SD extensions are running even if there are no open Speed-Dial pages. Can I use some event handlers (which?) to be notified if SD is inactive? (it's useful for SD animation, and other calculations which can eat CPU)
4. What new features do you plan to add to SD extensions API?
Çağlar YeşilyurtThursday, June 23, 2011 12:32:46 PM
What makes speed dial so significant?

Potentially inflammatory, opinionated comment removed by mod.
PhriendThursday, June 23, 2011 1:26:40 PM
From the sound of it, speed dials are basically becoming web apps, are they not? How long until Opera Software develops an Opera OS that is akin to Chrome OS?
DaneThursday, June 23, 2011 1:28:01 PM
Will you add interactivity to the speed dial box? This would greatly increase the possibilities of speed dial extensions (basically widgets in speed dial).

When will you add support for attaching the debugger to the speed dial view?

Will you add support for toolbar buttons for speed dial extensions (currently, you have to chose one or the other)?
two-headedboyThursday, June 23, 2011 1:31:22 PM
de-trolled
Charles SchlossThursday, June 23, 2011 1:32:32 PM
Have you been surprised by what people come up with for speeddail?
Shirish KamathThursday, June 23, 2011 1:42:13 PM
Is there a plan to open up speed dial for websites? Can web developers add maybe a meta tag that specifies what content should be displayed (and how often it should be refreshed -- to be overridden by user's 'Reload Every.." settings) if a user added the website as a speed dial item (maybe an RSS feed or some dynamic content)?

Then, I could quickly set up a dashboard with each item displaying a dynamic statistic from the website. All this without having to create a Speed-dial extension of my own.
huxrThursday, June 23, 2011 4:08:22 PM
Will there be dynamic or on-demand refreshing Speed Dials for Opera Mini 5/6 too?
JulianThursday, June 23, 2011 4:10:34 PM
Well I have some questions, hope it be useful for you:

What is your main objective for Speed Dial extensions? I mean accessibility, geolocation, newsfeed, website preview and so on.

How Speed Dial Extensions could improve Opera?

Are you planning something special for Speed Dial? because you're focusing very hard on the extensions.

If some extension become very important and featured, Will you add that functionality to Speed Dial?

Will you allow the possibility to create and develop extensions for another Opera's features?

Will Speed Dial become a standard Web technology/feature among the Web browsers like the tabs?

Thank you! and All the best
techlawsamFriday, June 24, 2011 1:03:52 AM
Will Speed Dials eventually evolve to become even more "sophisticated" by clicking on a specific speed dial a "tailored page" showing only the content you need for instance clicking the "twitter dial" will pop up a page showing you your feeds, messages, mentions, etc. A Facebook Dial will show you your feeds, friend requests, etc.

Sort of like Dolphin Browser's (for Android) "WebZine" :

http://androidcommunity.com/dolphin-browser-hd-webzine-beta-released-to-public-oddities-in-tow-20110621/
Pramod GhugeFriday, June 24, 2011 8:45:08 AM
Originally posted by hellboy4ever:

Is there a plan to open up speed dial for websites? Can web developers add maybe a meta tag that specifies what content should be displayed (and how often it should be refreshed -- to be overridden by user's 'Reload Every.." settings) if a user added the website as a speed dial item (maybe an RSS feed or some dynamic content)?
Its already there http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/opera-speed-dial-enhancements/#content
Zer0XFriday, June 24, 2011 9:56:05 AM
trolling removed by mod
lavaraeFriday, June 24, 2011 9:01:16 PM
Can Mac Opera 11 run HTML5 video? I've got a site using the video for everyone code solution, testing it on the PC, Opera plays OGV, but on the Mac it ignores the video tag, instead falling back to H.264 played through Flash. In the code I put the H.264 reference first, then OGV, I believe this is a must for iPads to play the video.
DanieleSaturday, June 25, 2011 9:34:23 AM
From what I've seen so far, Speed dial extensions are capable of showing contents such as rss feeds, weather, photos, etc.. However I was wondering if in the future these extensions will be more "interactive". For example in the current version of speed dial extensions I can see all the updates from Twitter, but I'm not able to retweet or send a message from within the Speed Dial box. Will it be possible in the Future?

Thank you!
mega7starSaturday, June 25, 2011 10:02:11 AM
Is it possible to Speed Dial, such as Opera 11.50 desktop, make in Opera Mobile and also support for add-ons in it?
Ralf BeckebansSaturday, June 25, 2011 1:03:04 PM
Why does the speed dial preview image doesn't work for some websites (http://www.mywbb.de for example)?
Shirish KamathSaturday, June 25, 2011 2:31:28 PM
Thanks Pramod! That's perfect! :-)
Originally posted by geeneeyes:

Originally posted by hellboy4ever:
Is there a plan to open up speed dial for websites? Can web developers add maybe a meta tag that specifies what content should be displayed (and how often it should be refreshed -- to be overridden by user's 'Reload Every.." settings) if a user added the website as a speed dial item (maybe an RSS feed or some dynamic content)?
Its already there http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/opera-speed-dial-enhancements/#content
GreenArt11Sunday, June 26, 2011 4:42:33 AM
Will opera understand FF/chro extensions?
ChirpieMonday, June 27, 2011 4:55:50 PM
Originally posted by Zer0X:

Why are you concentrating on Speed dial when you could be improving other things like performance, stability or hardware acceleration (among other things)?
Trolling alert!

Stability and performance have been improved. Haven't you paid attention? Hardware acceleration is being worked on as well.

Your entire comment is pointless, inflammatory and extremely rude and obnoxious You could at least take the time to read the changelogs before whining like that.

Shame on you!
Pramod GhugeTuesday, June 28, 2011 8:39:03 AM
Looks like we Opera users are not allowed to question Opera. Shame on moderator for removing any comments which are critical of speeddial extensions. Its not like we were trolling or off-topic. Very sad to see so many users being rebuked for speaking out.
Originally posted by Chirpie:

Originally posted by Zer0X:
Why are you concentrating on Speed dial when you could be improving other things like performance, stability or hardware acceleration (among other things)?
Trolling alert! Stability and performance have been improved. Haven't you paid attention? Hardware acceleration is being worked on as well. Your entire comment is pointless, inflammatory and extremely rude and obnoxious You could at least take the time to read the changelogs before whining like that. Shame on you!
There is nothing pointless, inflammatory, rude or obnoxious about Zer0X's comment. Shame on you!
Pramod GhugeTuesday, June 28, 2011 8:42:37 AM
Originally posted by hellboy4ever:

Thanks Pramod! That's perfect! :-)
ChirpieTuesday, June 28, 2011 11:18:13 AM
Originally posted by geeneeyes:

Looks like we Opera users are not allowed to question Opera. Shame on moderator for removing any comments which are critical of speeddial extensions.
Liar, liar, pants on fire! There's a difference between asking honest questions, and blatantly trolling and going way off-topic
Pramod GhugeTuesday, June 28, 2011 12:12:37 PM
Originally posted by Chirpie:

Liar, liar, pants on fire! There's a difference between asking honest questions, and blatantly trolling and going way off-topic
Please dont act like a small kid. You are not the only Opera fan. Expressing opinion in a proper manner should not be looked down upon in such an autocratic fashion. Unless the posts were off-topic or rude or inflammatory or demeaning, they should be replied to in a respectful manner.
ChrisTuesday, June 28, 2011 12:51:22 PM
I'd say they were indeed offtopic, rude, inflammatory or demeaning. This is about speed dial extensions, remember?
Zer0XTuesday, June 28, 2011 1:27:52 PM
Originally posted by Chirpie:

Originally posted by Zer0X:
Why are you concentrating on Speed dial when you could be improving other things like performance, stability or hardware acceleration (among other things)?
Trolling alert! Stability and performance have been improved. Haven't you paid attention? Hardware acceleration is being worked on as well. Your entire comment is pointless, inflammatory and extremely rude and obnoxious You could at least take the time to read the changelogs before whining like that. Shame on you!

Just for the record, I wasn't trolling. I was being completely serious.

Edit: I was just asking what's so important about speed dial (extensions), that the devs are so much concentrating on it, because I personally don't use them and don't see a reason why to. I guess normal users who use mainly mouse use them, but for me, ctrl+t and typing does the job and for updates - there's RSS.

And seriosly, why do you take "Mask as Chrome" as trolling? Chrome is another important browser nowdays and it wouldn't hurt for the option to be there. Not to mention that Opera has always problems with Google sites (Gmail, Calendar, Reader), so maybe with Chrome masking, there would be more options to try.

Once again, I was just politely asking. Nothing more. I have been using Opera since 7 and consider myself Opera fanboy, but this reaction really suprised me. :/
arf02Tuesday, June 28, 2011 5:07:51 PM
i am using speed dial for placing my favorite sites and it is already full fill the window.

Is there any plan in future, maybe add an options to choose and resize specific dial and place it on specific position? In center or top right corner?

because when i try extension like feed and gmail. The size was to small for read.

Sorry for bad explanation, thanks.

And keep innovate
TyranisaurTuesday, June 28, 2011 7:49:34 PM
I find it funny how many comments are about speed dial...

I for one would like opera to work with some feature that would make the mouse automatically move to the default button of dialogs, like for example the window that asks you how you want to start opera.
ChrisWednesday, June 29, 2011 9:46:54 AM
Originally posted by Zer0X:

I was just asking what's so important about speed dial (extensions), that the devs are so much concentrating on it, because I personally don't use them and don't see a reason why to.
Sorry dude, but you come across as condescending and rude.

Claiming that they are not improving performance or stability when that is exactly what they improved in in 11.50 is nothing but a rude slap in the face of the Opera devs. You should really be ashamed of yourself for insulting them like that.

Originally posted by Tyranisaur:

I find it funny how many comments are about speed dial...
Not sure why you would find it funny that people are mostly commenting on the actual topic, which is speed dial...
Zer0XWednesday, June 29, 2011 1:32:32 PM
Originally posted by Slamdex:

Originally posted by Zer0X:
I was just asking what's so important about speed dial (extensions), that the devs are so much concentrating on it, because I personally don't use them and don't see a reason why to.
Sorry dude, but you come across as condescending and rude. Claiming that they are not improving performance or stability when that is exactly what they improved in in 11.50 is nothing but a rude slap in the face of the Opera devs. You should really be ashamed of yourself for insulting them like that.
Originally posted by Tyranisaur:
I find it funny how many comments are about speed dial...
Not sure why you would find it funny that people are mostly commenting on the actual topic, which is speed dial...

I don't really want to have this discussion here because this isn't the place for it but I'm really perplexed by your reactions. Quote me EXACTLY where I was claiming that "Opera devs weren't improving performance or stability"? My question was why the devs are concentrating on Speed Dial (extensions), when they could be also fully focused on other things.

Whoever is moderating these comments, I'm sorry that were having this discussion here.
ChrisWednesday, June 29, 2011 8:58:56 PM
Originally posted by Zer0X:

Quote me EXACTLY where I was claiming that "Opera devs weren't improving performance or stability"?
Quote: "Why are you concentrating on Speed dial when you could be improving other things like performance, stability or hardware acceleration (among other things)?"

Here you are clearly saying that they are not improving performance and stability.

My question was why the devs are concentrating on Speed Dial (extensions), when they could be also fully focused on other things.
But they ARE focused on other things. They have different departments and different teams doing different things. They can focus on SEVERAL different things because different people have different areas of expertise.

And speed dial being one of Opera's most popular and successful features, it makes perfect sense to focus on it.

Why would they NOT focus on one of their most successful and popular features? It is mind blowing that someone thinks Opera should ignore popular features and never improve them.

And they are not focusing on it at the expense of speed and stability, because in addition to speed dial improvements, speed and stability has been improved as well.

You, however, are basically claiming that the Opera devs are incompetent fools who are unable to do different things, and have their priorities all screwed up.

Shame on you. Your insults are completely uncalled for, and you should apologize for insulting the Opera devs like that.
tzokielSunday, July 10, 2011 5:13:25 AM
I know that we live in a world that is dominated by male, with laws drafted by man that women have to live by.
Please, take those annoying advertisement of some girl dancing and advertising cu....! Try to get some some better advertising.
ChirpieTuesday, July 12, 2011 1:17:30 PM
Originally posted by tzokiel:

I know that we live in a world that is dominated by male, with laws drafted by man that women have to live by.
Please, take those annoying advertisement of some girl dancing and advertising cu....! Try to get some some better advertising.
What does this have to do with the blog post?
Caesar PumaTuesday, July 19, 2011 4:20:58 PM
There times I want to close specific pages using their tabs. Is it not possible to place small squares on each tab an opera user can click on to tick so that only those tabs and their related pages close?

For example to select multiple files we use Ctrl why can't we do this to close specific pages using multiple selected tabs?

Thanks!