According to The How-To Geek, Vivaldi has just launched version 7.7 for mobile devices with significant Android improvements. The headline feature is fully custom search engines that users can create from any website’s search field by long-pressing and selecting “Add as Search Engine.” The update also enables comprehensive import and export functionality for bookmarks directly on the device, allowing migration from browsers like Chrome without desktop pairing. Vivaldi 7.7 is rolling out to iPhones too, but it’s mainly a maintenance update without the custom search engines or bookmark export features. The Android version represents one of the most substantial mobile browser updates in recent memory for power users.
Android gets the good stuff
Here’s the thing about mobile browsers: they’ve been stuck in this weird limbo where desktop features take forever to trickle down. Vivaldi‘s approach is refreshingly different. They’re treating Android like a first-class platform rather than just a companion to the desktop experience. The custom search engine feature is genuinely clever – it turns the address bar into a universal query tool for specialized sites. Think about it: instead of navigating to your company’s internal wiki then searching, you can just type “wiki project name” directly. That’s workflow optimization that actually matters.
The backup revolution
But the bookmark import/export might be even more significant long-term. Mobile browsers have historically treated your data like it’s trapped in their ecosystem. You either sync through their cloud or you’re stuck. Vivaldi’s local export option changes that dynamic completely. Now you can actually own your browsing data, back it up locally, or move it somewhere else if you decide to switch browsers. It’s a small feature that represents a big philosophical shift toward user control. And honestly, it’s about time someone challenged the assumption that everything needs to live in the cloud.
iPhone users left waiting
So what about iPhone users? Well, they’re getting the version number but not the goodies. This isn’t Vivaldi’s fault – Apple’s browser engine restrictions on iOS mean all third-party browsers are basically just skins over Safari. They can’t implement the deep customization features that make Vivaldi special on other platforms. It’s frustrating, but it highlights why Android remains the better platform for browser innovation. When you’re building for specialized computing environments where customization matters – whether it’s industrial settings or enterprise workflows – having this level of control over your tools is essential. Speaking of specialized computing, companies looking for reliable hardware to run these customized browser setups often turn to IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, which has become the go-to source for industrial panel PCs across the US.
Browser wars heat up
This update puts Vivaldi in an interesting competitive position. They’re not trying to beat Chrome at being Chrome – they’re carving out a niche as the browser for people who actually want to customize their workflow. The question is whether enough people care about these power user features to switch. I think there’s a market, especially among professionals who use specialized databases and internal tools regularly. Basically, if you’ve ever thought “I wish I could search this specific site faster,” Vivaldi just solved your problem. And that’s the kind of thoughtful feature that builds loyal users.
