New default Layouts — Vivaldi Browser snapshot 4028.3

In this snapshot we’ve added new predefined browser layouts, updated the default themes and changed how we spoof for better website compatiblity.

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A long dining table set for a formal meal with plants and neatly laid out.

Layouts

As you long term Vivaldi users know, the browser has a ton of UI configuration options but for new users the wealth of settings can be a little overwhelming. During onboarding (and also available later in settings) we now offer a range of predefined layouts to select between. These offer different UI elements shown (or not) by default and different positions for things like tabs. Of course ultimately you can configure the browser however you like but the new layouts should help new users to get the most out of their browser, right from the get go.

Themes

With this snapshot we also offer some new default (preinstalled) themes and a refresh of some of our classics to make use of new features (like the recent ‘unified’ theme setting). Alongside the updated layouts this helps you get a beautiful browser right out of the box.

For long term users (who may have tweaked themes) we make sure to backup your adjustments so that nothing is lost and you can continue to enjoy the browser as you always have.

Browser version spoofing

Vivaldi follows Chromium’s Extended Stable Release (ESR) cycle, meaning our engine updates every 8 weeks rather than the faster stable stream. This is fully supported and secure, but it also means our reported Chromium version can appear to be outdated.

Some websites incorrectly treat any lower version number as insecure, which can trigger warnings or outright blocking despite the browser being fully up to date and compatible.

To avoid these issues, Vivaldi will now report the current Chromium stable version whenever the ESR version we use is lower. Minor Vivaldi updates will adjust the reported version to exactly match the latest Chromium stable minor versions.

Spoofing is not applied on Vivaldi partner sites (which we trust not to block users) or on Google-owned domains, where the real version is required for extension installation and component updates such as Widevine. The actual Chromium version is always shown in Vivaldi’s UI, and spoofing only affects HTTP/HTTPS requests.

In this snapshot we are already on Chromium 148, so although the change ships now, you likely won’t notice any visible difference today.

Changelog

  • [New][Layouts][Onboarding][Settings] Add preset layouts for easier quick configuration of the browser (VB-127447)
  • [New][Themes] Update default themes to use unified appearance and migrate old ones (VB-127228)
  • [New][User Agent] Spoof the current stable chromium version: users are blocked because the browser is “unsupported” (VB-124387)
  • [AutoHide] Panel editor hides when hovered when hide ui is enabled (VB-127422)
  • [AutoHide][Mail] Panel doesn’t activate when on mail page (VB-126981)
  • [Crash][macOS] During screen change notification from the OS (VB-127257)
  • [Crash][macOS] Trying to restore saved sessions (VB-127213)
  • [Crash][Windows] During window size/position changes (VB-127352)
  • [Mail] Disabled elements in Mail Panel: send button does not work (VB-127499)
  • [Mail] Show an alert when an email without subject is sent (VB-90197)
  • [Mail] Some settings should be disabled when the system is not up (VB-127462)
  • [Onboarding] Adding/changing webpanels during onboarding breaks edit (VB-127485)
  • [Panels] Disabled web panel item not removed on delete (VB-127569)
  • [Panels][Extensions] chrome.sidePanel.setOptions API does not work (VB-120826)
  • [Panels][Windows Panel] Audio icon overlays active tab indicator (VB-127085)
  • [Password] Does not prompt to save password (VB-127441)
  • [Permissions] Web HID broken (VB-127349)
  • [Tabs] New window from pinned tab is broken (VB-127471)
  • [Tabs] Pinned tabs are too narrow (VB-127498)
  • [Tabs][Settings] “After active tabs” is not working with Ctrl+t or the tab bar [+] button (VB-127411)
  • [Tabs][Settings] The Active Tab Minimum Width setting does not work (VB-127544)
  • [Themes] Incorrect theme is edited after import (VB-127488)
  • [Unified theme] Uneven border radius (VB-125607)
  • [Windows Management] Focused windows not appearing in front of other windows (VB-127497)

Download (4028.3)

Main photo by Luigi Pozzoli.

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