Vivaldi 7.9 Adds UI Autohide and Follower Tabs

Vivaldi, the customizable web browser known for its power-user features, released version 7.9 this week for Windows, Mac, and Linux desktops, introducing tools to enhance distraction-free browsing and multitasking efficiency.

The update's centerpiece is UI Autohide, a flexible mode that conceals browser interface elements such as the tab bar, address bar, toolbars, and status indicators, allowing webpages to fill the screen for a more immersive experience. Users can activate it with keyboard shortcuts—Ctrl+F11 on Windows or Command+F10 on Mac—or through a status bar icon. The elements reappear instantly when the cursor moves to any screen edge and vanish again when it retreats. Vivaldi allows customization of which components hide, from specific bars to the entire interface, giving users precise control over their viewing setup. This approach differs from standard fullscreen modes in other browsers by offering ongoing flexibility without fully commandeering the display.

Complementing this is the new Follower Tab feature, aimed at streamlining research and link exploration. When users right-click a link, they can select to open it as a tiled Follower Tab, which loads the content...