Opera Software (http://www.opera.com/browser/next/) has released a new beta version of Opera 10.60, which is purportedly more than 50% faster than its predecessor on selected JavaScript tests.

In addition, it incorporates new web-standard features, such as Geolocation and WebM support for HTML5 video, as well as a polished and easy-to-use user interface. Opera 10.60 beta also sports HTML5 Appcache and Web Worker. Appcache lets you use different applications, such as word processor, image editor, spreadsheets and much more, in your web browser even when offline. Web developers can now also use HTML5 Web Workers for doing heavy calculations without making the browsing slower for the user.

Opera 10.60 beta makes search more efficient, introducing search suggestions for selected partners in the Speed Dial and search box, according to says Chief Development Officer Christen Krogh. You can test this in the beta with Wikipedia search.

Krogh says that the interface in now more intuitive, as the previous thumbnails have been replaced with icons, making you a faster navigator. What’s more, Speed Dial, tab previews and the Opera menu button have been improved with new graphics.