Opera is rethinking the web.
What’s happening: The Norwegian internet software company introduced Opera Air, a browser designed to improve users’ mental well-being through integrated mindfulness tools.
Take a break. The Scandinavian-minimalistic interface features guided breathing exercises, meditation sessions, and AI body scans ranging from three to 15 minutes.
Along with customizable reminders for breaks, Opera Air’s “Boosts” run in the background, using binaural beats to enhance focus and relaxation through frequency-based brain stimulation.
Tech 4 less. 95% of Americans use the web daily, and 46% of teens are glued to it “constantly.” Acknowledging screen time’s influence, new digital tools advocate for responsible usage.
- Tracking screentime while gamifying focus, Opal’s app recoups 1.5 hours per day.
- Dumbing down phones, Brick locks you out of distracting apps to remove temptation.
- Creating soundscapes for focus, relaxation, and sleep, Endel syncs with Alexa devices.
- Light Phone’s minimalist phones feature the essentials minus addictive apps.
Ones to watch, Steppin will block social media until activity goals are reached, and Lore wants to put joy back into web discovery.
Looking ahead: As screen time increases, expect more tech companies to embed mental health features directly into core products and platforms.