Mozilla Introduces New Customizable Firefox
Mozilla today released the first major interface refresh for Firefox since relaunching the browser in 2011, with new menus and new features in a bid to keep the browser competitive.
Available in both the mobile and the desktop browser, the
redesigned Firefox introduces many features including an design, new menu, customization mode and an enhanced Firefox Sync service powered by Firefox Accounts.
The first thing you’ll notice in Firefox is a new design. The tabs are smooth for faster navigation and the tabs not in use fade into the background to be less of a distraction.
The Firefox menu has moved to the right corner of the toolbar. It includes a "Customize" tool where you can add or move any feature, service or add-on.
The new Firefox Sync service is a safe way to take your Firefox everywhere. Firefox Sync gives you access to Awesome Bar browsing history, saved passwords, bookmarks, open tabs and form data across your computers and mobile Android devices. It is powered by Firefox Accounts and simplifies the setup and device syncing process.
You can also create bookmarks with a single click and manage them from the same place.
Check out just some of the new features below:
- New Design: Sleek new tabs and an overall modern look.
- Customization Mode: Makes it easy to access the features you use the most. You can drag and drop your favorite feature, tool or add-on in the menu or toolbar.
- Firefox Menu: Includes popular browser controls, features and add-ons in one place. The menu is completely customizable.
- Simple Bookmarks: You can create bookmarks with a single click and manage them from the same place.
- Easy Access to Add-ons Manager: Firefox includes an Add-ons Manager you can access directly from the menu.
- Enhanced Firefox Sync Powered by Firefox Accounts: Create a Firefox Account and the sync feature makes it easy to setup and add multiple devices with end-to-end encryption. Firefox Sync gives you access to Awesome Bar history, saved passwords, bookmarks, open tabs and form data across your computers and mobile Android devices.
Web Platform and Developer Tools:
- WebRTC: Firefox supports WebRTC, which enables video calls and file sharing between browsers.
- WebAPIs: There are now more than 30 Mozilla-pioneeredWebAPIs.
- asm.js and Emscripten: asm.js is a Mozilla-pioneered subset of JavaScript that can run at near-native speed for games and other performance-intensive applications. Specific asm.js optimizations in Firefox mean it currently runs asm.js-style code fast.
- Web Audio API: With Web Audio API, developers can now build audio engines capable of new features like positional audio and support for effects such as reverb.
- CSS Flexbox: The integration of CSS Flexbox in Firefox makes it easier for developers to build user interfaces that adapt to the size of the browser window or to create elastic layouts which adapt themselves to the font size. This is helpful when developers are trying to create a consistent user interface to their Website or Web app across desktop and mobile.
- App Manager: Brings the Firefox Web developer tools to mobile app developers, simplifying mobile Web app development with live prototyping and debugging of apps on Firefox OS phones directly from the desktop.
- Extension APIs: Developers using the Add-on SDK can now use the new button and toolbar APIs to integrate their add-on with Firefox’s new customizable toolbar.
