Vivaldi’s new feature should have every other browser taking note


Vivaldi

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • The Vivaldi web browser has a killer new UI feature.
  • With Auto Hide UI, you get maximum screen real estate.
  • You can install and use the feature on all desktop OSes.

Every time I create a web app from a site, I think, “I wish I could have a browser that could behave this minimally when I want it to.” 

If you’ve never used a web app on your desktop OS, let me explain what they are. You open a site on a browser that supports the creation of web apps, and you then save the site as such. When you then open the site (from your desktop menu), the app opens without the usual browser accutremont. You get a window and not much else: no controls, no tabs, no menu bars. The web app turns your website into an app.

I’ve always enjoyed this feature because it not only keeps me from having to add yet another tab to my browser, but it’s also very clean, and the browser takes up little to no screen real estate (meaning the page I’m viewing can take up the entire screen, without having to switch to full-screen mode.

Also: 5 reasons why Zen is my new favorite browser (RIP, Opera)

Now, imagine you had a browser that allows you to switch between regular mode and what they’re calling Auto-Hide UI mode. When you toggle this new mode, all web browser elements are tucked away, out of sight, so all you see is the website you’re viewing.

I love this new feature.

I love it so much, I could see Vivaldi overtaking Opera, which has been my default browser for a long time, even over the other Jack-approved Chrome alternatives

It’s easy and reactive

The new Auto Hide UI feature isn’t enabled by default, but you don’t have to jump through any about:config hoops to make it happen. All you have to do is open the browser, go to Settings > Appearance > UI Auto Hide, and enable the feature. Even better, you can decide what elements you want to hide. You can hide the tab bar, panel, address bar, status bar, and bookmarks bar. 

Vivaldi Settings.

Auto-Hide UI is very simple to enable.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Once you’ve enabled it, you can switch between standard mode and Auto Hide mode by hitting the F11 key on your keyboard. 

You might be thinking, “I don’t want to have to use a function key to switch between modes.” Well, Vivaldi thought of that as well. When you have Auto-Hide UI enabled, Vivaldi has another trick up its sleeve.

Let’s say you want to go to a different website. If you hover your cursor at the top of the Vivaldi window, the address bar appears. Hover to the left and the tab bar appears (if you have tabs set to display on the left side), hover to the right and the sidebar appears, and hover to the bottom and the status bar appears.

Vivaldi

Need to access the address bar? Hover your mouse at the top of the browser.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

This new feature is satisfying in a way that no other browser has been. It gives me the best of both worlds, and I couldn’t be happier with where the Vivaldi developers and designers are taking the browser UI.

Also: 5 great Chrome browser alternatives that put your privacy first

I’d go so far as to say that all other browser developers should be paying attention, because this is the future of the web browser. 

The last time a web browser UI had me this excited was when Opera introduced its new theming engine, or when Zen Browser came into being. 

Maybe it’s just me (someone who places a lot of importance on UX — User Experience), but this new take on the web browser UI really is that impressive; so much so, that I’m seriously considering it as my default. And given Vivaldi also has Workspaces (for even better tab management), there’s really nothing preventing me from making the switch.

If you’re interested in checking out this new Vivaldi UI, all you have to do is download and install the latest version, which is available for Linux, MacOS, and Windows. Once installed, enable the feature and experience the future of the web browser UI.





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Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





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