Opera Brings AI Assistant Aria to Opera Mini on Android
Opera, the Norway-based web browser company, has announced the integration of its AI assistant Aria into Opera Mini on Android, expanding its AI capabilities to users with low-end smartphones and limited data access as reported by TechCrunch.
The company says the move will allow Opera Mini users to benefit from real-time information access, image generation, and learning support without increasing the app’s size or data consumption.
Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera, said, “AI is rapidly becoming an integral part of the daily internet experience – bringing Aria to Opera Mini is a natural addition to our most-downloaded browser. With the addition of our built-in AI, Aria, we’re excited to explore how AI can further enhance the feature set our users rely on every day.”
AI-Powered Features on a Data-Saving Browser
Opera Mini, first launched in 2005, is known for its data-saving technology, popular in markets where users face bandwidth and storage limitations. Opera assures users that Aria’s integration won’t impact the app’s lightweight nature or efficiency. Aria leverages a combination of AI models from OpenAI and Google to deliver accurate and timely responses.
Key features of Aria include real-time access to news and information, image generation capabilities, and support for learning and research across a wide range of topics, making it a versatile assistant for everyday browsing needs.
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Global Reach and Regional Challenges
According to TechCrunch, Opera Mini has over 1 billion downloads on Android and is used by more than 100 million people worldwide, according to the company. Appfigures data shows the browser has seen 7.1 million downloads globally in 2024 so far.
Opera has historically focused on African markets, forming partnerships with local telecom providers to offer free data packages to Opera Mini users. However, regulatory pressures led to the discontinuation of its free data initiative in Kenya last year after government restrictions on in-browser advertising.
Beyond Aria’s integration into Opera Mini, the company is further expanding its suite of AI-driven browsing tools. These innovations include natural language tab control, allowing users to manage their browser tabs using conversational commands, and task-completion operators designed to assist with common online actions, streamlining the overall browsing experience through intelligent automation.
