Mozilla today released Firefox 35, which features a streamlined version of the plug-in-free Hello video calling service and also offers faster access to an app marketplace. Firefox Hello, which is based on WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications), an open-source API for in-browser audio and video communications sans specialized plug-ins like Adobe's Flash, debuted in December with Firefox 34.

Mozilla streamlined the connect process in Firefox 35, giving visual and audio alerts when the other party joins the chat and letting users save and name video chats for reuse with the same participants.

In order to chat, both parties must be running WebRTC-compliant browsers, which currently include Firefox, Google's Chrome and Opera Software's Opera on the desktop; Firefox, Chrome and Opera Mini on Android; and something called Bowser on iOS. Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) and Apple's Safari do not yet support WebRTC.

Other enhancements to Firefox 35 included new Share options for URLs with services like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others, and in-browser access to Firefox Marketplace through the Tools menu or a toolbar icon.

The apps run within Firefox on the desktop and on Android, or within Firefox OS, Mozilla's attempt to compete in the smartphone operating system space.

Firefox 35 also includes security patches for vulnerabilities.