You've Got (Opera) Mail

June 11, 2013 · by Aleksander Aas

With the release of Opera Next, Opera Mail takes its star turn as a dedicated service.

This lean and mean email machine is lightweight, nimble and focused on one thing and one thing only - handling e-mail better than ever. Simple yet powerful, Opera Mail is designed to help you get the better of your inbox.

So much functionality in a free product, you say. Incredible. Take me to the download link immediately!

Just hold on for a second. We haven't even talked about the features.

Tabbed interface

Working with tabs, you can have multiple e-mails up at once and quickly switch between them.

Threads

With our threaded view you can easily follow any discussions you are a part of. It's super easy to follow up on any parts of the discussion. Once you no longer feel it's relevant for you, choose Ignore Thread to keep it out of sight and out of mind from that moment onward.

Filters and labels

Make use of automatic filters and labels. All mails can easily be set up to auto label or filter based on your own rules.

Download

The new Opera Mail client is available to download from www.opera.com/computer/mail.

Readers' comments 50

Left under the original article, as archived; 2 pages of comments could not be recovered.

inDigazzZTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:08:37 AM
Beauty was that the client was in the browser.
ManukinekoTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:09:04 AM
Where's the browser that go with it ?
SushubhTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:10:13 AM
Exactly. I use Opera because of the built-in RSS client. You just took away that reason.
ArturoTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:20:31 AM
The only thing missing is "Close to tray"
End0RETuesday, June 11, 2013 8:23:05 AM
I was using Thunderbird as my main email client, then tried Foxmail, but now switched to Opera Mail cause I always loved Opera, but I never used the mail since it was inbuilt.

P.S. Is it possible to leave suggestions somewhere for opera mail? Basically the only problem that I have with opera mail right now is that if my internet disconnects then every time I have to retype my password to make opera mail start checking my mail again. Could it be possible to auto-reconnect without asking for password?
NathanTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:26:44 AM
It should have stayed in the browser. There is no reason whatsoever to prefer this standalone Opera Mail to Thunderbird or the likes.

Luckily mail.opera.com still works.
RealRandalTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:27:22 AM
Notifications are broken! Sometimes it shows up sometimes it's not. Even if opera is minimized to tray or taskbar and current open filter is Unread with new blue mails income in background. So It's better to have NONE, than occasionally working, because it's SO IRRITATING that local e-mail client cannot even notify correctly about new mail. I use Opera with Mail (now standalone version) MY WHOLE LIFE but if you don't correct such a basic functions I WILL GIVE UP!

So maybe you really don't need Opera Mail no longer. Maybe you don't have any interest to improve M2, so just tell. I will go after all of this years to some other mail client.
Busev RomanTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:28:05 AM
Originally posted by AnuarSh:

Beauty was that the client was in the browser.

exactly!
Built-in mail was the main thing, that kept me from switching to Chrome
Steven PembertonTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:28:32 AM
I *love* Opera mail, but I have to say that after 11.50 it got a little worse. The worst change was not giving people on your contacts list a special icon as it used to. It used to be really easy to pick out mails from your contacts. Now they get drowned in all the other stuff.
pogue972Tuesday, June 11, 2013 8:29:21 AM
I'm intrigued. Got any better screen shots or a Youtube video displaying the features?
RealRandalTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:32:52 AM
Originally posted by pogue972:

I'm intrigued. Got any better screen shots or a Youtube video displaying the features?

Are the same as it was in Opera 12.15. Just separated from browser.
Rogerio SilvaTuesday, June 11, 2013 8:54:25 AM
Bad idea! Built-in mail is the best feature in Opera since forever. Please, don't do that.
freixaTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:03:30 AM
This is really a bad idea. I like to have RSS, mail and browser in the same application. I will not update if you remove RSS and Mail functionality. Well, maybe I will use Chrome instead.
BigBonsaiTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:05:24 AM
Best feature was the Built-In Mail Client. The features mentioned here (Tabbed interface, threaded view and filters and labels) give Opera not even the hint of an edge over other Mail clients.

Built-In Mail kept me for a long time with this Mail client (and still using it for some accounts...).

Make it stand out! Browser + E-Mail in one client. PGP/GPG suppport. RSS support.

Why use Opera's Mail client any longer? There's so much better out there.

"So much functionality in a free product, you say. Incredible. Take me to the download link immediately!" Seriously - who would say that!!???

Like this... sorry, Opera. This is a fail so far.

Shame.
RijkTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:09:49 AM
Someone should finish the Properties dialog though, it looks ridiculous now, with all the browser stuff just removed. Should use the 'advanced' tab only, without tab above it, and move the 'general' tab in there are first section.

Some things are left that could have been removed as well, like preferred language for webpages, or program sounds. And there are also missing some options, like setting a default download folder, and things from opera:config that are now unreachable such as opera:config#Mail|MailViewTwoLinedMessages , opera:config#Mail|LoadMailDatabasesAsynchronously , opera:config#Mail|SplitUpThreadWhenSubjectChanged and opera:config#UserPrefs|SuppressExternalEmbeds .

Also, the one-button menu layout should be changed a bit, and notes and pers info items removed from compose context menu...
Robert WlochTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:18:33 AM
Well, now I need two apps for what was perfectly integrated in one? Does the the mail app support GPG at least?
I'm in with @Sushubh: You're taking away a reason to use Opera.
exterminansTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:19:02 AM
On Hacker News: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5860537
expertteaseTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:27:40 AM
What I don't get is that if this is based on Presto, is it even going to be developed? And as for the missing features Rijk mentions, there doesn't seem much point in using this over 12.15 for now. The logo is nicely done but the red on white is a bit garish, better to change it to mostly white, or use that border which used to be in the opera mail welcome email.
I'm still hoping for the unlikely: M3 in Opera 16? An in house extension? That might do the job, but it would be fairly big, so better call it a browser based app...
MattTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:28:57 AM
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!

leave it in the browser!! i have too many windows open as it is
Immanuel HeimsTuesday, June 11, 2013 9:40:53 AM
I agree - if built-in client is removed I have no other reason to stick to Opera - after MANY years. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR USERS, OPERA! Thank you and God bless you!
gnarrTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:02:15 AM
Oh no! Don't do this! Why are you breaking everything
Glen WhiteTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:07:41 AM
What I really don't understand is why the mail client cannot be an add on for the browser. That way users get a choice as to whether it is built in or not.

Interestingly I think this move hurts Opera in two ways. It means that, for those of use who believe that the client was Opera's best feature, we can now move to more stable and better supported browsers and keep using Opera Mail.

Also, those people who find Opera Mail and want to use it can do so without shifting browser to Opera.

I really think Opera has shot themselves in the foot with this one.
Mağruf ÇolakoğluTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:14:41 AM
Originally posted by Cannarwilm:

What I really don't understand is why the mail client cannot be an add on for the browser. That way users get a choice as to whether it is built in or not.

+1
drayzenTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:15:13 AM
Same here, mail integration is one of my favourite features of Opera.
Could you please continue to release a version of the browser with mail integrated?
Having everything in one place keeps it nice an simple.
I know that developing for mobile is the cool thing to do at the moment and that is evident by looking at Opera Next, but seriously, how many people do you think are going to change to using Windows 8 touch? Not me, I like having my screen clean thank you...
Synchronisation between desktop and mobile is great, but that doesn't mean we want them to be the same thing.
BigBonsaiTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:20:44 AM
Originally posted by tecc5ive:

change is good just be happy and move on with yo lives....SHEESH

I'm moving on... unfortunately the path leads somewhere where Opera is not going.

Originally posted by tecc5ive:

imo everything about opera NOW is awesome

Glad you find Messianic qualities in Opera, though. Sorry... couldn't withstand to write this.
Spenser DavisonTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:24:35 AM
The main reason I started using Opera was because of integrated mail client. While I've since come to love many other features, losing this one (yes I feel as though I'm losing it now because I have to now sacrifice convenience by opening an auxiliary program to get the same functionality) is a heartbreaker.
LoesTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:46:15 AM
I agree with many people above.

They just removed my sole reason for sticking with Opera for over 10 years.

The Opera mail client is not superior to other clients (and sometimes outright crappy). Opera as a browser is fast and easy to customize, but it has its flaws. The integrated mail client however made it perfectly fit for my purposes.

I hope the Opera team will realize their mistake. Otherwise, this long-time-Opera-preacher will switch to Chrome and Thunderbird.
MohammadTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:50:26 AM
"With the release of Opera Next, Opera Mail takes its star turn as a dedicated service.
This lean and mean email machine is lightweight, nimble and focused on one thing and one thing only - handling e-mail better than ever.."

Putting lipstick on a pig !

"Integrated M2 & RSS for Life !"
YangombiUmpakatiTuesday, June 11, 2013 10:53:21 AM
Originally posted by Loezzzje:

I agree with many people above.

They just removed my sole reason for sticking with Opera for over 10 years.

The Opera mail client is not superior to other clients (and sometimes outright crappy). Opera as a browser is fast and easy to customize, but it has its flaws. The integrated mail client however made it perfectly fit for my purposes.

I hope the Opera team will realize their mistake. Otherwise, this long-time-Opera-preacher will switch to Chrome and Thunderbird.
well said.. Opera Mail is no miracle and mail power users who usually use The Bat or something like that wouldn't even install it. BUT the power lies in the fact, that it IS (or it was) integrated. btw I was Opera preacher too. I suppose many others WERE preachers too.
MatheusTuesday, June 11, 2013 11:05:28 AM
Sorry, but standalone is worthless for me.
GI9VANNITuesday, June 11, 2013 11:27:34 AM
Linux version please!
Léon McGregorTuesday, June 11, 2013 11:29:45 AM
Microsoft killed it's xBone, Opera ASA killed it's flagship browser... Why are all the good companies going downhill now?
ZothoTuesday, June 11, 2013 11:46:46 AM
Please don't do this, Opera team.
Opera will get worse and worse now.
First you remove Unite and then this. I even had to change back to opera classic on my Android phone (from where I am writing now) , because the new version was so slow.
Please leave the features as they are at the moment.
I really recommended Opera to everyone and still prefer it to other browsers. But if you continue like this, I am really thinking of changing.
Don't destroy a perfect piece of software!
kanstisamaTuesday, June 11, 2013 11:51:47 AM
This is so super and mindblowing with ultra fantastic features like Apple's new iOS 7. I think that says everything
stepp2Tuesday, June 11, 2013 1:13:39 PM
NO,NO,NO!!!!
I want Opera to stay EXACTLY as it was!
If I wanted separated mail client, I would use nPOPuk.
I need my mail & RSS in my browser!

PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE don't do this. just don't. I use Opera all day, for many years now, from start of this greatest browser of all. I LOVE & ADORE & WORSHIP Opera. It's the only thing on my comp that cannot be replaced. It's the only thing that have different and correct (for me) development philosophy among browsers.

Please, give real Opera fans some choice to download update from integrated mail and rss inside browser with dragonfly online service, and on Presto engine... Not this useless clone of mainstream philosophy of software development.

Give fans some options, like donation for regular Opera with mail & rss (if you are doing this because money problem), or paid program, like before. Just don't do this.

Edit: I need my IRC to in Opera browser.
Russkih SergeyTuesday, June 11, 2013 1:22:09 PM
Waiting for a Linux version
Charles SchlossTuesday, June 11, 2013 1:27:25 PM
Will play with it

Not having it in Opera itself should help with performance (the RSS or Mail database can get quite big)
Miikka SilenTuesday, June 11, 2013 1:50:18 PM
What to do with new features if cant send mail at all? Why we cant get mailboxes working even in webmail? http://my.opera.com/community/forums/forum.dml?id=76

Please Opera Admins check forums!
danaris27Tuesday, June 11, 2013 1:50:32 PM
"On popular demand we have split the Opera Mail client from our desktop browser."

Proof,Opera...Proof! How many demands? A democratic 2/3 majority,that is, 200 out of 300 millions of Opera users? No way!
Only lies and empty arguments!
Jean ChicoineTuesday, June 11, 2013 2:07:25 PM
Opera team: you're going the wrong way. Like for many other users, the integrated mail and rss is one of the main reasons I love Opera. But you killed Unite, now you're killing integrated mail and rss, and Presto. What's left? Nothing more, nothing less than a browser among other browsers with no particular specificity.
Bad move. Real bad move.
You are destroying one of the few outstanding pieces of software on the Web.
And not even an Opera Next for Linux. Lame.
grafioTuesday, June 11, 2013 2:09:15 PM
Tabs and filters? Is this some kind of a joke, what are you advertising here? We had all of this, built-in into Opera FOR OVER A DECADE, and you destroyed it. This post looks like a slap into face of M2 users, at least be honest and cut the marketing spin, nobody who used M2 is going to buy it anyway.
Thiago H. de Paula FigueiredoTuesday, June 11, 2013 2:13:28 PM
+1 for a separate download with M2 built in. Reading mail, RSS and also browsing in the same window is a huge selling point for me and it seems to be for a lot of people as well.
himselfvTuesday, June 11, 2013 2:50:01 PM
OK guys, at least be frank.

"This is a sad day for us all. We realise everyone loved old Opera Mail and if this can be any consolation, here's it's last version ever in standalone form so you can keep it for memory."

All this happy to announce, full of features marketing speak is just sad.
Techload InformáticaTuesday, June 11, 2013 2:59:11 PM
I will test this right now since my Thunderbird seems to be corrupted.
Justin SlayerTuesday, June 11, 2013 3:10:42 PM
Please stop destroying Opera, the best browser in the world. I wont update to this version and I will use 12.15 for as long as I can.
Justin SlayerTuesday, June 11, 2013 3:17:07 PM
R.I.P Opera
Budyanto NurhalimTuesday, June 11, 2013 3:26:21 PM
Built into Opera, it's really something special.
Standalone, it's useless.
Why do you HAVE to separate it from the browser? Standalone, this is just another mail client, the market is littered with them already, no need for another one. Might as well just kill it if it's like this.
Similarly, Opera Next is at the current state is just a Chrome clone with less features. Now tell me, why would people choose Opera Next over Chrome? And why would people choose Opera Mail over Thunderbird? For me, absolutely no reason at all
Paweł PawlakTuesday, June 11, 2013 3:36:13 PM
Thanks, but I won't be using it anymore as a separate application (I've got better alternatives for that). I was using it only because it was built-in to Opera browser. But I wish you well, maybe one day Opera Mail will become a really good e-mail client, then I will reconsider using it.
rogerwilco75Tuesday, June 11, 2013 4:02:48 PM
....wait, something's missing. The browser!

Long live Opera 12.15 UI and functionality.

I find it hard to believe what I am about to say now, but learn from Microsoft - 8.1 brings back the Start button and more options to avoid the silly desktop apps/tiles, which aren't a real benefit on non-touch devices.
donjanielTuesday, June 11, 2013 4:21:10 PM
Originally posted by spectra9:

Built into Opera, it's really something special.
Standalone, it's useless.
Why do you HAVE to separate it from the browser? Standalone, this is just another mail client, the market is littered with them already, no need for another one. Might as well just kill it if it's like this.
Similarly, Opera Next is at the current state is just a Chrome clone with less features. Now tell me, why would people choose Opera Next over Chrome? And why would people choose Opera Mail over Thunderbird? For me, absolutely no reason at all
Agreed! I can't shout it loud enough. Oh, hang on... the Opera developers aren't listening.