David Ansermot Web Developer / TYPO3 Integrator

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.

Download Firefox 4 beta 1
Source : Mozilla Foundation