Vivaldi 4.0: Email, Calendar & RSS Reader Now Built-In

Vivaldi Browser Version 4.0: Introducing Built-in Mail, Calendar, RSS, and Privacy-Focused Translation

Vivaldi continues to distinguish itself among Chromium-based browsers through its dedication to robust tools for advanced users and a strong commitment to user privacy. The browser’s origins are also noteworthy, stemming from the vision of Jon von Tetzchner, the former outspoken CEO of Opera, who now serves as Vivaldi’s co-founder and CEO.

New Features in Vivaldi 4.0

The Vivaldi team has launched version 4.0, introducing a range of new capabilities. These include the beta versions of integrated mail, calendar, and RSS clients, alongside the release of Vivaldi Translate, a translation service prioritizing user privacy and hosted on the company’s infrastructure, utilizing Lingvanex technology.

A Return to Integrated Clients

Vivaldi previously offered a webmail service, but the development of an offline email client, coupled with a calendar client, represents a shift back to the browser functionality seen in earlier iterations like Netscape Navigator and Opera.

Von Tetzchner explains that many browser developers removed these features to direct users towards specific services, including their own webmail offerings.

Prioritizing User Needs

“Our approach is to prioritize user desires over business models,” he stated. “A built-in email client offers significant value, as nearly everyone utilizes email to some degree.” He further noted that Vivaldi is building upon Opera’s legacy, expanding its capabilities with the addition of a calendar feature.

Vivaldi Mail and Calendar: A Customized Experience

The design of Vivaldi Mail and Calendar reflects the team’s preferences. The Mail client, for instance, moves away from traditional folder structures, employing a filtering system that allows messages to appear in multiple views.

Users can select between familiar horizontal and wide views, and customize the default display by toggling options to exclude mailing list emails and custom folders. A key feature is the distinction between unseen and unread emails.

Broad Email and Calendar Support

The Mail client supports virtually any email provider utilizing IMAP and POP protocols, with built-in compatibility for Gmail. Similarly, the Calendar supports standard providers like Google Calendar and iCloud.

Calendar Design: Information-Rich Display

The Calendar features a unique design, displaying all available event data directly within the calendar view, rather than limiting information to one or two lines per event. Von Tetzchner prefers this approach, believing it enhances readability.

“We aimed to provide a different experience,” he said. “Typically, calendar text space is limited by timeslot size, which isn’t necessary. Even timeslots look better, it’s more functional to be able to read more text.”

Steering Away from Data Collection

Von Tetzchner emphasizes the importance of offering alternatives to Google and Microsoft, but believes these alternatives must be superior. He aims to provide users with greater control over their data.

RSS Reader: Control and Privacy

The integrated RSS reader, currently basic in functionality, focuses on helping users escape echo chambers and avoid newsreaders that prioritize data collection. It provides essential features for local feed reading.

The browser highlights RSS feeds found during web browsing, simplifying the subscription process. Users can even subscribe to individual YouTube channels, as each channel offers an RSS feed.

Protecting User Habits and Preferences

“RSS feeds are about avoiding data collection,” Von Tetzchner explained. “News services track reading habits to build user profiles, claiming to offer more relevant news. However, subscribing to channels should be sufficient. We want to give users control over their reading material, respecting their habits and preferences as private matters.”

A Business Model Focused on Privacy

Vivaldi’s core philosophy centers on avoiding advertising as a revenue source. “We have no need or interest in collecting user data,” von Tetzchner stated, while acknowledging the collection of basic aggregate data regarding user numbers and location.

He believes that extensive data collection leads to products designed for the average user, rather than catering to individual needs.

Vivaldi Translate: Privacy-Focused Translation

The new translation feature, hosted on Vivaldi’s servers, ensures that no data is shared with third-party services. Utilizing Lingvanex technology, Vivaldi Translate delivers results comparable to Google Translate, with occasional subtle differences.

Onboarding and Customization

Vivaldi introduces a new onboarding flow, allowing users to choose from three default layouts: “essentials” for a Chrome- or Edge-like experience, “classic” for advanced features, and “fully loaded” for access to all tools. The “fully loaded” view automatically enables the new Mail, Feed Reader, and Calendar features.

Sustainability and Future Growth

Currently, Vivaldi is not profitable, generating revenue from preinstalled bookmarks and search engine partnerships. However, von Tetzchner believes that increasing the user base will lead to sustainability.

He remains optimistic, noting the positive user feedback and the potential for growth. “We’ve seen this work before,” he said. “It takes time to build a company like ours. I hope people are liking what we’re building, and gradually, we’ll acquire enough users to cover our expenses.”