The new beta of Opera version 8 (for Windows) includes a nifty RSS reader and the ability to speak selected text, and apparently to respond to voice commands. I haven’t yet been able to command Opera by voice but have had it read some text aloud.
The Windows version (via Virtual PC) uses a kind of weird “computer” voice. I guess I’d thought it would use Vicki, the default voice for the Mac side of things. The Windows voice sounds like something out of a 60′s TV show, but there you go.
The RSS reader is interesting. When you visit a page with a feed available Opera shows a small RSS badge in the Location Bar. Click on that and you’re able to subscribe to the feed.
The ability to add notes is also interesting. You can use a contextual menu to make a note of selected text, or just make a new note. I selected some text which included a few live links and was disappointed that the note didn’t pick up the URLs, but it’s definitely a cool feature.
[Via CNET News.com.]
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