Raspberry Pi, Linux on ARM users: Now you get a new browser option with Vivaldi

Raspberry Pi users now have one more browser to choose from besides Chromium, Firefox, and Midori, with the newly-announced availability of an experimental version of power-user-focused Vivaldi.

The Blink-based browser from former Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner is expanding beyond Windows, macOS, and Linux PCs to a range of ARM-based developer boards, including the Raspberry Pi, CubieBoard, Asus Tinker Board, and more.

Vivaldi doesn't yet have a mobile browser but it was its work on one that helped spawn the build for Raspberry Pi, according to the company. It also points to Samsung's DeX project as a potential new platform for Vivaldi. DeX aims to run full Linux on a Galaxy phone connected to a display.

With over 14 million Raspberry Pi units now having been sold since 2012, it and other ARM-based developer boards offer a fringe but growing market for Vivaldi.

Vivaldi developers in Oslo point out that the browser can be helpful on a Raspberry Pi connected to a TV as an alternative to the basic browsers that come with smart TVs.

The Vivaldi build for ARM is currently considered experimental and so may not get regular bug fixes. However, Vivaldi will take reports from users.

To install Vivaldi on the Debian-based Raspbian, users need only double-click on the downloaded installer. The company has a set-up page to help users get the browser running on non-Debian based Linux distributions, too.

Vivaldi's developers argue that their browser is better suited to Raspberry Pi users than Chromium, which ships with Raspbian, because of Vivaldi's customization options.

Perhaps most importantly, Vivaldi can help Raspberry Pi users scrimp on resources by turning off animated GIFs. There's also a Reader View for easier reading, and Pi users can take advantage of other features like tab grouping, screenshot capture, and note taking.

Vivaldi is using its new ARM browser to build its community and tap into the Pi community. The company is offering fans the chance to win a Raspberry Pi Model 3, a Vivaldi case, and 16GB microSD card with Vivaldi pre-installed in exchange for sharing a crazy Pi project on its blog.

"We are excited to unveil Vivaldi for the popular development board Raspberry Pi and other Linux-based ARM devices. Enthusiastic Raspberry Pi users who are looking for a more feature-rich and flexible browser, will find Vivaldi a thrilling experience," said von Tetzchner.

Vivaldi will release a browser for Android soon but a spokeswoman couldn't give ZDNet a timeline for its release.

The company aims to build a version for iOS too, but it could take longer since it would need to use WebKit rather than its existing Chromium and Blink foundations.

Previous and related coverage

Google offers Raspberry Pi owners this new AI vision kit to spot cats, people, emotions

Google's Vision Kit lets you build your own computer-vision system for $45, but you'll need your own Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi supercomputer: Los Alamos to use 10,000 tiny boards to test software

Los Alamos National Lab finds its answer to 'exascale' software development in the tiny Raspberry Pi.

Read more on Vivaldi

• Google bullied us and must be regulated, says Vivaldi and Opera founder
• Vivaldi's email client, sync: How its browser team is working on key new features
• Windows 10's Edge must stop stealing the browser default, says Vivaldi CEO
• Vivaldi 1.2 'Google-free' Chrome browser is out - with custom mouse gestures, smarter tabs
• 'When in doubt, make it an option': How Vivaldi is trying to make the browser personal again
• Get more control over your browsing history with Vivaldi (TechRepublic)
• Vivaldi wants to make your web browsing history useful (CNET)