Firefox 4 beta1 available
Mozilla has posted the first beta version of Firefox 4. Finally, tell the impatient, as it was expected by early June, then postponed to mid-June
The arrival of this beta confirms the work areas of the development team of browser plug-in insulation for greater stability (the 'Lorentz'), supports HTML 5 (see also "A member of Mozilla claims that Apple and Google want to own the HTML5 ") and shorter startup time.
The interface is also reviewed in depth.
Minimal for some and major for the other, the tabs are now placed by default at the top of the browser (the famous "tabs-on-top *" popularized by Chrome). You can still return them to their traditional place in two small clicks.
A "Firefox" menu centralized (inspired by the Opera?) Also appeared.
Finally, the management interface extensions has been totally redesigned - Electrolysis first demonstration project designed to completely isolate the extensions and allow their installation in warm (without restart of Firefox).
For developers, Mozilla said the following new features:
- A HTML5 parser
- Support for WebSocket
- The use of IndexedDB
- The addition of a Web console Analysis
- And of course, a simplified development of extensions with the integration of the SDK Jetpack
Finally we note without surprise the official support of the codec Webm, for "accelerated HD video (see above).
The complete list of new "under the hood" is available online.
Firefox becomes the default browser of 400,000 IBM employees
A few hours ago, IBM announced a major change in its computers: Firefox browser will now default on desktops over 400,000 employees.
A new pet who comes in the direction of hair loss a browser full speed. The Mozilla software is indeed stagnating since reaching the 25% market share in November. The latest figures even show a slight decline, puisquee Firefox is used by 24.30% of Internet users in June 2010. And despite the arrival a few months ago the bundle Windows screen (which lets you choose the browser).
Competition is fierce, and Chrome (Google's rival) has quite a success. It is also now the third world browser.
However, the choice of IBM stopped on Firefox. Why? The software:
- est extrêmement compatible avec les standards ouverts du web
- est open source et son développement assuré par une communauté qui n'est pas contrôlée par une entité commerciale
- est sécurisé
- propose des extensions qui peuvent être personnalisées par des organisations comme IBM
- est innovant et a forcé la main à la compétition pour s'améliorer
Source : Bob Sutor's blog (IBM Linux and open source responsible)
WebM in Firefox
The new open-source video codec appeared in a developer version of the browser
So far everyone was in agreement (except Apple) about Webm, the new codec from the open-source Google VP8. But the question of license (see elsewhere) had caused some problems for the beginning of its implementation in browsers.
These problems are now resolved and keeps his word and Mozilla Firefox integrating Webm 4.To be more precise, Mozilla includes support for this codec in a fairly unstable pre-release that can be found on the "nightly-builds", the ftp the latest development versions being updated daily by the foundation.
"If you are looking for videos Webm test, you can watch on YouTube Webm HTML5 experiement with the nightly builds, advises Chris Pearce, developers at Mozilla.There is still a little early to compare the performance videos of this version with those of Chrome (which he is also a version for developers) but is not essential.The important thing in this announcement is that the motion for adoption is indeed well underway.
Apple's side continues to support the H.264 and has not yet officially announced his intentions on Webm.
Source : Chris Pearce's post
Firefox 4, what’s expected?
The specification of Firefox 4 is full.
We already knew that the GUI is completely redesigned (see above). We now know more about the rest of the browser.
Mike Beltzner, director of development of the Mozilla Foundation, has set many goals yesterday to reach during a Webcast as a roadmap.
The most important goal is certainly one of the power and speed.
The power of a browser includes many fields, none of which will, according to him, neglected.
The support for Windows Direct2D example , or the future of HTML 5, as far as they are, for example, fall into account both to April 1 of Firefox browser "powerful".
A 64-bit version would also (and some would say finally) to the study.
To (re-) make a fast, management of content in JavaScript will not suffice. Even if in this field Mozilla intends to double our efforts to meet increasing performance bluffing the competition (including Opera and Chrome).
The time to launch the browser should also be shortened. An excellent short story called your vows (if you believe your comments on this forum).
The reactivity (opening or closing a new tab for example.) Is also on the table.
But speed is not just pure performance history. Mike Beltzner said that the new UI of Firefox 4 will also participate in the perception of speed (loading bar redesigned pages, etc..).
In short, the Panda Roux will not be left behind (at least he will try).
But Firefox is also and above all remain a browser that innovates.
It is the goal, for example, future feature called "Account Manager" which will centralize logins and passwords. An innovation of which we still know relatively little about (except that it is to avoid to go through the identification pages of online services).
Recall that the philosophy of Mozilla is that of confidentiality .. The data synchronization via the Weave service is fully encrypted and such can use any server chosen by the user (not necessarily those of Mozilla). Unlike the browser from Google.
A fundamental difference Nitot, the founding president of Mozilla Europe, told us recently wanting to put forward to differentiate Chrome.
Appointment is made for the first beta of Firefox 4 which should arrive in late June.
As for the final, she is currently scheduled for October or November and not 2011 as previously announced. A date still highly likely to be postponed based on development problems.
Sources :
developpez.com
Firefox 3.6 delivered !
Mozilla, a public-benefit organization dedicated to promoting choice and innovation on the Web, today released Firefox® 3.6, an update to its popular, free and open source Web browser. The latest version of Firefox introduces cutting-edge features, support for a wide variety of Web standards, and access to more than 6,000 free add-ons that allow users to customize their browser to their liking.
What’s new in Firefox 3.6:
Below are some of the coolest features of Firefox 3.6:
- Personas: Personalize the look of your Firefox by selecting new themes called Personas in a single click and without a restart
- Plugin Updater: To keep you safe from potential security vulnerabilities, Firefox will now detect out of date plugins
- Stability improvements: Firefox 3.6 significantly decreased crashes caused by third party software – all without sacrificing our extensibility in any way
- Form Complete: When filling out an online form, Firefox suggests information for fields based on your common answers in similar field
- Performance: Improved JavaScript performance, overall browser responsiveness, and startup time
- Open Video and Audio: With the world’s best implementation of HTML 5 audio and video support, now video can be displayed full screen and supports poster frames
Source : Firefox's blog
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