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."