Triple AI Integration Creates Browser Confusion
Opera’s Neon browser represents a significant departure from traditional web browser design by incorporating three separate artificial intelligence systems operating simultaneously, according to reports. While this integrated approach allows users to access multiple AI functions without switching between applications, sources indicate the overlapping functionality has created confusion about which AI tool to use for specific tasks.
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The browser, which began rolling out to users last month after waitlist access, features what Opera describes as “power-ups” for AI interactions through a system called Cards. However, analysts suggest the implementation sometimes feels more like working with “a hapless intern we’d never asked for rather than a sophisticated, timesaving piece of technology,” as one evaluation described the experience.
Premium Pricing in Competitive Market
Opera has positioned Neon as a premium product with a $19.90 monthly subscription fee, entering a market where most consumers expect browsers to be free. This pricing strategy reportedly sets high expectations for a product category where competitors like Google’s Gemini-infused Chrome and The Browser Company’s Dia offer similar chatbot capabilities without subscription costs.
According to the analysis, the premium pricing creates a “tough sell” for Neon, particularly when the browser “feels more like an AI browser we need to adapt to than a browser that’s smart enough to adapt to us.” The report states that this challenge is compounded by the crowded landscape of AI-powered browsers, including Perplexity’s Comet, all competing for market share amid broader market trends in technology.
Three AI Systems With Distinct Roles
Neon’s AI architecture includes three primary components, according to Opera’s documentation. The Chat function serves as a conventional AI assistant accessible through the search bar or browser corner, while Do operates as an “agentic browser-controlling agent” that takes over browser functions to complete tasks. The third component, Make, functions as an AI building agent that creates simple web tools and applications.
However, the report states that distinguishing between these systems proved challenging during testing. In one instance, when asked to summarize comments on news articles, Chat provided inaccurate information, while company executives indicated the task should have been assigned to Do instead. This confusion highlights what analysts suggest are ongoing challenges in related innovations across the AI industry.
Functionality Gaps and Limitations
During testing, sources indicate that Neon’s AI systems demonstrated several functional limitations. The Chat feature reportedly provided excessively verbose responses and sometimes claimed capabilities it didn’t possess, while Do operated with what the report describes as “unflinching but misplaced confidence” that led to errors in task completion.
One evaluation noted that Do continued adding inappropriate items to shopping carts even when users attempted to intervene, suggesting limited ability to course-correct during operations. The system also reportedly failed to identify available theater tickets that were easily visible through manual searches, raising questions about its reliability for practical tasks. These limitations come amid broader industry developments in AI functionality.
Early Development Stage Acknowledged
Opera executives have acknowledged that Neon remains in early development stages, with Executive Vice President Krystian Kolondra describing it as “in an early access release stage” designed for users who want to participate in product development. According to reports, some planned features, including the ability to pause for user feedback, are currently disabled because they’re “not ready yet.”
The browser does include some successful implementations, with Make reportedly creating functional web tools like a Spanish vocabulary matching game that operated as intended. However, analysts suggest the overall experience reflects the challenges of implementing multiple AI systems within the framework of a traditional internet browser, particularly given the rapid pace of recent technology advancements.
Future Development and User Adoption
Opera’s strategy for Neon reportedly involves building an ecosystem where user-created Cards will enhance the AI experience over time, similar to app store models. However, the report states that currently available content consists largely of Neon team creations ranging from “gimmicky prompts” to more practical implementations, with limited third-party contributions.
According to Opera’s official FAQ, the company is building Neon on AI models from OpenAI and Google, though specific model assignments for different functions remain unspecified. As the browser continues development, its success may depend on resolving the current confusion between its multiple AI systems while demonstrating sufficient value to justify its premium pricing in a competitive market where most alternatives remain free.
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