OSLO, NORWAY — Apparently spurred by the launch of Google’s Chrome, Norwegian company Opera Software ASA has launched an updated version of its Web browser. In Opera 9.6, the developers enhanced the performance and flexibility of the browser’s built-in email client and added new features to its free browser-synchronization service, Opera Link. In addition, page loading time has been reduced and responsiveness increased.Will that be enough to help Opera reclaim fourth place among the world’s most popular browsers? Time will tell. A recent survey by Web metrics firm Net Applications indicated Microsoft’s Internet Explorer maintains a daunting lead with 71.5-percent of the world market, followed by Mozilla’s Firefox with 19.5-percent, Apple’s Safari with 6.7-percent and Google’s Chrome with about 0.7-percent.

Opera’s latest incarnation not only incorporates six new languages — Indonesian, Ukrainian, Estonian, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil — but it also builds upon features Opera pioneered. Speed Dial still allows one-click access to favorite sites, but it’s been paired with Opera Link to make access to bookmarks, search engines and browser history readily available wherever users need them. Opera Link also synchronizes notes users take as they browse and connects them to the pages to which they relate.

Opera Mail now includes “low-bandwidth mode” to retrieve mails quickly even when bandwidth is limited. The built-in client also offers two new ways to manage e-mail conversations: watch important threads and contacts by telling the client to follow them, or ignore less important threads and contacts with a single click.

“We believe in making the Web available for people everywhere,” said Opera Software Chief Executive Officer Jon von Tetzchner. “The people who use Opera need it to adapt to their needs, and we’re proud to continue that tradition today.

“Our improved e-mail client is now the ideal communication tool. Opera Link gives you more flexibility to take your personal browsing identity with you to any computer. The new Opera 9.6 gives more people around the world new reasons to choose Opera.”

Opera 9.6 is available in 38 languages for Linux, Mac and Windows Operating Systems. Download it free at Opera.com.