Opera had some requests lately about where Opera 9.x is heading, so I’ll give you a sneak peak into the current projects and their internal code names. We usually prefer code names over version numbers until the product actually ships.

Merlin

Merlin is the current code base, used for 9.0, 9.1 and the coming 9.2. On Merlin the main focus is on stability and only select new features are added. As you can see, the version number of the last preview build was 9.2, which normally indicates new functionality. The new feature is close to completion and will be unveiled here later this month. You have not seen it in a desktop browser before…

– Merlin falcons often hunt by flying fast and low, typically less than 1 meter above the ground, taking prey by surprise. Rolls-Royce used the same code-name for the engine that powered the legendary Spitfire.

Peregrine

The most important planned update to Opera on desktop. Peregrine will contain significant improvements in the user interface, improved standards support, improved performance, thousands of bug fixes and groundbreaking new functionality. In other words: We’re pretty excited about it.

Previews of Peregrine will be found on this blog in 2007.

– The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest creature on the planet in its hunting dive, the stoop, in which it soars to a great height, then dives steeply at speeds in excess of 300 km/h. Suzuki named the fastest production motorcycle in the world after the Japanese word for Peregrine, Hayabusa.

Kestrel

Kestrel is the latest addition to our roadmap and fills the gap between Merlin and Peregrine. It will be the first release with rendering improvements from Peregrine. For the first time we will coordinate the desktop release with other Opera products, working towards a more unified Opera experience across devices. If you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to try out Opera Mini on your mobile phone.

– The Kestrel falcon is able to see ultraviolet, which helps them spot prey while hovering 10-20 meters over the ground. The Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine was later replaced by the Peregrine…