OSLO, Norway - August 30, 2023
Over the years, some of you have reported that the opening of new windows was not fast enough. But not anymore!
Our new version on desktop - Vivaldi 6.2 - is now faster, especially when you open a new window. By rendering browser windows through React portals, we've unlocked new possibilities, reduced memory usage, and significantly improved overall performance.
Upgrade to Vivaldi 6.2 today on your desktop and notebooks, and enjoy faster and more efficient window creation.
What is Portal Windows and its effects?
Portal Windows derived from React, a Javascript Framework, allows for a more efficient sharing of running code between windows.
Vivaldi's codebase, which dates back to 2013, uses React to develop its desktop User Interface. To implement Portal Windows, we took on a daunting multi-layered project that has been in development for several years now.
The implementation of Portal Windows in the browser represents a fundamental shift in how Vivaldi handles multiple windows. The aim was to reduce memory and CPU usage so that we could address bugs and implement improvements that were previously challenging or impossible.
Vivaldi developer, André Schultz who has worked extensively on this project says, "Windows has a new architecture with one UI document as compared to the old way where each window had a separate document. All actions needed a target window so this had to be added as the old way was done in the documents window. This called for a huge refactoring of code. As a result, we now just run one script context for all windows, of the same profile. Private Windows run in a separate context."
In order to get a deep technical understanding of the React Portal, here is a recommended read.
The effects of Portal Windows are noteworthy. The introduction of the Window Panel, which initially displayed only the state of tabs in the current window, has now evolved into a multi-window panel, Windows Panel that was recently introduced.
Now you can effortlessly navigate tabs across different windows, thanks to the code refactoring achieved through Portal.
Additionally, not long ago, we made our Pop-up Windows (you know those small, not irritating at all windows that are created/initiated by websites) portal-based, resulting in them appearing and being faster.
About Vivaldi Technologies
Vivaldi Technologies is an employee-owned company that creates products and services for discerning web users. In everything it does, it believes in putting its users first. Vivaldi is headquartered in Oslo, with offices in Reykjavik, Boston, and Palo Alto.
For more information, please contact:
Varsha Chowdhury [email protected]
Haakon Rølmann [email protected]
For Japan-related queries, please contact:
Kaori Kotobuki [email protected]
For Germany-related queries, please contact:
Svenja Maaske [email protected]