14 DAY TRIAL // Besides the smart features and improvements it introduces, Opera 12, launched earlier today, also brings to the table a huge number of face-altering options. These come under the form of themes, which make for a lightweight skinning system.
Even if applying themes sounds like an easy job, you’ll definitely think differently the moment you check the theme gallery. The most difficult part is picking the right one out of the hundreds available. Luckily, they are organized by popularity, user rating and new additions, so you have a starting point. The thumb-preview also comes in handy.
A button on the skin page lets you automatically add and apply the selected theme to the browser. You can check the download progress in the upper part of the screen and all downloaded items are available in Opera’s Appearance preferences.
All downloaded items are available in Opera’s Appearance preferences. The themes modify the entire frame of the browser, but they can be viewed in their entirety on the Speed Dial page.
Whether you want a blue monster all fluffed up to maximum cuteness, a minimalist, white look or a view of a street through a window all covered in dripping water, you have to look into the Popular section.
A Simpsons’-inspired theme features Homer reaching to an Opera-shaped light bulb and can be found in the Top Rated section. This is also the place for an interesting map of the Earth, with water and land reversed. Other choices include an image of smoke swirl, of the Golden Gate Bridge, visions of futuristic cities, or nature-inspired skins.
However, most of the gems are to be found among the newly added themes. The items here are inspired by anything from movies, games and animations to simple stuff like a wooden floor or fabric patterns.
In the gallery below, you can check out a selection of our favorite themes for Opera.
