Features Widgets, small Web programs running in their own windows and BitTorrent.

Opera Software, today announced the first public Beta of Opera 9. This version includes Widgets, small Web programs running in their own windows.

The Opera 9 Beta also features support for BitTorrent. The features include content blocker, improved rich text editing, thumbnail preview and site-specific preferences.

"We're proud to release this Beta of Opera 9 to Web users around the world," said Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. "Opera 9 brings powerful new features to enhance the Web browsing experience and empower Web 2.0 developers. Opera 9 unlocks new levels of productivity for the Internet ecosystem."