Opera One Adds Google Gemini to Sidebar for Tab-Free AI Access

Opera has released an update to Opera One that integrates Google Gemini directly into the browser sidebar, allowing users to access the AI assistant without switching tabs.

Sidebar Integration and AI Toolkit

The core feature enables users to pin Gemini to Opera's sidebar, creating what Opera describes as "an entire AI toolkit a click away that includes Opera browser AI, Gemini, and ChatGPT." Users can now interact with Gemini while simultaneously viewing their open tabs, streamlining workflows that previously required constant tab navigation.

Accessing the new feature requires three steps: open the sidebar setup menu via the three dots at the bottom, navigate to "AI services," and click the circle next to Gemini to enable it.

Opera emphasizes that its native browser AI remains context-aware, automatically considering open tab content when processing requests. This means users receive tailored results without manual explanation of context for each interaction.

Additional Updates: Translate and Split-Screen

Beyond Gemini integration, the update introduces Google Translate to the sidebar—allowing users to generate content in other languages without tab switching. This complements Opera's existing on-page translation tool by enabling original content creation.

The update also expands Opera's split-screen capability from two to four simultaneous tabs. Users can arrange tabs horizontally, vertically, or in grid layouts. Implementation uses familiar drag-and-drop interactions, or users can select multiple tabs via Ctrl/Cmd+click, right-click, and select "Create Split Screen."

Context: Opera's Google Partnership

This update extends Opera's Google partnership, which expanded late last year to bring Gemini models to the browser's AI features. The company has been iterating on user experience since then, focusing on reducing friction in AI workflows.

What This Means

Opera is positioning itself as a productivity-focused browser by reducing context-switching friction—a known bottleneck in knowledge work. The sidebar approach mirrors patterns established by other browsers (Edge's Copilot, Chrome's built-in tools) but adds Opera's claimed advantage of tab-context awareness. For users already using Gemini, this eliminates repetitive tab navigation; for others, it lowers the activation barrier to try the AI assistant. The four-tab split-screen targets research and comparison workflows, though its utility depends on screen real estate and user habits.