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Firefox 19 Beta Includes Integrated PDF Reader, Extended ARMv6 Support And More
Firefox 19 has this week rolled out into its beta development stage, bringing with it a number of new features a new native PDF viewer which has been developed using HTML5 to eliminate the need for third-party plugins.
Together with support for ARMv6 processors allowing Firefox to now be used on 15 million more phones, (minimum requirements of 600MHz, 512MB, and HVGA). Enabling users of smartphone such as the LG Optimus One, T-Mobile myTouch 3G slide, HTC Wildfire S, and ZTE R750, to enjoy the latest Firefox 19 beta release.
Bill Walker, an engineering manager with Mozilla explained : “For a number of years there have been several plugins for viewing PDFs within Firefox,”-“Many of these plugins come with proprietary closed source code that could potentially expose users to security vulnerabilities.”
Mozilla is now asking for help to develop their latest Firefox beta and test ARMv6!
“Help refine and polish the newest features almost ready for prime time. With Firefox Beta, you get to test the latest performance, customization and security enhancements before they make it to our next version. Have an impact by helping to put the finishing touches on features and functionality. We need your help testing ARMv6! If you have an ARMv6 device, download Firefox Beta and tell us what you think.”
“Firefox for Android Beta also includes Firefox Integration in the Google Search Widget. Now you can launch a Google Search in Firefox for Android Beta, directly from your phone’s homescreen to make it easier and faster to search the Web on your mobile phone. To enable, tap the “Menu” button on your Android device, tap “Add” in the Menu, and then select Firefox under “Widgets.”
The latest Firefox Beta is available via the Mozilla website and Android Beta via Google Play now
Mozilla annuncia il rilascio di Firefox Beta con supporto al Display Retina
Come da titolo, Mozilla ha annunciato il rilascio della nuova versione di Firefox Beta per Windows, Mac e Linux. La release, che include miglioramenti relativi alle prestazioni di Web App e Giochi ed il supporto per gli eventi touch W3C, è ottimizzata per i Display Retina dei nuovi Mac. Queste tutte le novità di Firefox Beta:
- IonMonkey, un nuovo compilatore JIT JavaScript che fornisce a FireFox un modo migliore per elaborare JavaScript. Con IonMonkey, Firefox risulterà più veloce con le applicazioni web, i giochi ed altre pagine pesanti;
- Display Retina: Firefox Beta supporta il Display Retina su OS X 10.7 o successivi, così da consentire ai Mac User di guardare film, giocare e navigare, il tutto ad alta definizione;
- Disattivazione di contenuti non protetti: Firefox Beta può disabilitare contenuti non protetti presenti su siti sicuri HTTPS, mantenendo così la privacy nella fase di comunicazione col sito stesso. La funzione potrà essere abilitata in “about:config”;
- PDF Reader integrato.
La nuova versione di Firefox Beta può essere scaricata dal sito ufficiale di Mozilla.
Firefox browser add-on lets us try Firefox OS in an all-Mozilla universe
We’ve had the chance to experiment with early versions of Firefox OS for awhile — just not in Firefox the browser, where you’d nearly expect it to have shown first. At least one person appreciates that seemingly natural fit. A new Firefox OS simulator add-on, r2d2b2g, lets us try Mozilla’s upcoming mobile platform from within the company’s own browser for everything that doesn’t depend on native hardware, including the browser and Firefox Marketplace. The goal is ostensibly to let developers test truly optimized web apps, although the simulator is also a good excuse for the curious to try Firefox OS without the hassle of a dedicated client or a real smartphone. If you can get by the early state of the simulator and the Xzibit jokes that come with putting Firefox on your Firefox, the extension is already providing a glimpse of a web-focused mobile future to Linux, Mac and Windows users at the source below.
Firefox begins testing Social API with Facebook Messenger, here’s how you can take part
You live a fast-paced life, and you don’t have time to stop your high-speed internet surfing just to check up on Suzie’s latest Facebook update. Mozilla understands your plight, digital denizen, and its “Social API” is here to help — Firefox browser users can beta test Facebook’s Messenger functionality right this minute, should they be able to pause for long enough to get it set up. Thankfully, that setup isn’t too strenuous, requiring little more than the latest beta version of the Firefox browser and an opt-in to the Social API program (via Facebook). Mozilla’s promising more social service integration as the beta rolls on (“soon”), but for now you can more readily stay in touch with Suzie at least, right?
Mozilla opens Firefox Marketplace for Aurora builds of Android, gives mobile a taste of web apps
Mozilla’s love of web apps is more than obvious; we just haven’t had a real chance to try the Firefox Marketplace that represents a large part of the company’s app strategy. The doors are at last open for a peek, although Mozilla has chosen the unusual path of giving mobile users the first crack: Android users willing to live on the bleeding edge of an Aurora build of Firefox can browse and run those web apps in Mozilla’s store. Everyone else willing to venture into the Marketplace will have to wait until their own Firefox builds receive a matching update, including that rare group with access to Firefox OS. We’re not quite in a rush to try a first wave of apps in an alpha-grade browser. Should you be the sort who thinks that even beta releases are too sluggish, however, your gateway to the Marketplace awaits at the source links.
Firefox introduces preliminary support for Social API, brings your networks into the browser
While you might use Firefox to access your social media of choice already, preliminary support for a new API has been introduced that could integrate key features into the browser itself. The aptly named Social API, will allow developers to embed services into the browser directly, letting you interact with friends and stay updated without having to open new windows, or keep hopping into different tabs. There’s no solid info just yet on how this will manifest itself, or how issues such as security and privacy might be addressed, but with testing beginning soon, we’re expecting the curtain to lift on the finer details soon. Interested developers can head to the source, for the other billion, you’ll just have to wait.
Mozilla Pulls Firefox 16 Over Security Issues
After releasing their new Firefox 16 just one day ago, Mozilla has had to pull their new Firefox browser from being downloaded from their website after security concerns were raised.
Mozilla is aware of Firefox 16 security vulnerabilities which were found in the current release that was only launched by Mozilla yesterday. So if you were one of the early adopters and installed Firefox 16 it might be worth your while downgrading to Firefox 15 until the security issues have been patched.
The security vulnerability within Firefox 16 could allow a malicious site to potentially determine websites users have visited, and have access to their URL or URL parameters.
However Mozilla has no evidence that the vulnerability which has been discovered in Firefox 16 is being exploited in the wild at the current time. However it’s probably best to uninstall Firefox 16 until Mozilla has been able to rectify the issue. For more information jump over to the Mozilla Security blog post. As always we will keep you updated as Mozilla releases more information about the security issue.
Update ** Mozilla has now released a patch for Android app you can download the latest version now from the Google Play store now.
Source: Mozilla version 15.0.1
Firefox 16 final launches with Reader on Android, VoiceOver on Macs and web app support
Mozilla knows how to keep on the fast track. Just weeks after the Firefox 16 beta first showed, the finished version is ready and waiting. Surprises are few if you were an early adopter, although the update still has some welcome changes for the right audiences. Mozilla is most keen to talk about preliminary web app support for the Mozilla Marketplace, but you’ll also find device-specific additions like a Reader Mode for the Android flock and VoiceOver support automatically switched on for Macs. More responsive JavaScript and on-by-default Opus audio playback give existing surfers extra reasons to upgrade. Firefox 16 is immediately available through all the usual channels, so hit the relevant source link if you’re ready to live on the not-quite-bleeding edge.
Mozilla Firefox 16 disponibile per il Download
Da pochi minuti è disponibile sul web la nuova versione del famoso browser Mozilla Firefox, giunto ora alla release 16.0. L’azienda rilascerà l’aggiornamento solo domani, tuttavia per chi fosse interessato a provare il browser proproniamo a seguire i link per il download delle varie versione per Windows, MAC e Linux.
Download: Firefox 16.0 for Windows / 17.4 MB
Download: Firefox 16.0 for Linux / 18.9 MB
Download: Firefox 16.0 for MacOS / 33.3 MB
Le note di rilascio non sono ancora disponibili ma vi lasciamo con quelle indicate nella versione beta:
- NEW: Firefox on Mac OS X now has preliminary VoiceOver support turned on by default.
- NEW: Initial web app support (Windows/Mac/Linux).
- NEW: Acholi localization added.
- CHANGED: Improvements around JavaScript responsiveness through incremental garbage collection.
- DEVELOPER: New Developer Toolbar with buttons for quick access to tools, error count for the Web Console, and a new command line for quick keyboard access.
- DEVELOPER: CSS3 Animations, Transitions, Transforms and Gradients unprefixed in Firefox 16.
- DEVELOPER: Recently opened files list in Scratchpad implemented.
Mozilla Persona sign-in launches in beta, skips the social networking ball and chain (video)
We all know those web pages where the only alternative to a site-specific login is a social networking account. That’s not very reassuring for anyone skittish about linking their commentary to a Facebook account relatives might see, if they’re even willing to join a social network in the first place. Mozilla has been aware of that hesitation long enough to have just released its long-in-development Persona sign-in service as a beta. Although it has the same kind of simple approach to a login as a Facebook or Twitter pop-up window, Persona’s emphasis is on privacy: it stops paying attention the moment credentials go through, keeping any diatribes or subscription details from landing in social streams or central databases. Users don’t have to play a rousing game of guess-the-username, either, as they just need to sign in with one or more familiar e-mail addresses and a single password. Persona faces an uphill battle in getting web developer adoption when the establishment sign-in services are open to hundreds of millions of internet citizens, but it does have The Times’ online crossword section, OpenPhoto and Voost as early poster children — and anything that lets the privacy-minded join the party has our vote.
IonMonkey Javascript Arrives In Firefox 18 Bringing Extra Speed
Within the latest nightly release of Firefox 18 currently under development by Mozilla, the new Javascript engines called IonMonkey have appeared in their first release.
The new Javascript engines have been designed to bring extra speed to the Firefox browser,and are expected to be seen in a final release rolled out on January 1st, 2013.
The new IonMonkey Javascript engines will replace the current JaegerMonkey, which was first introduced back in 2011 with Firefox 4. Mozilla’s David Anderson explains:
“IonMonkey introduces loop-invariant code motion, sparse global value numbering, linear scan register allocation, dead code elimination as well as range analysis to the JavaScript engine.”
The latest version of Firefox including the IonMonkey Javascript engines can be downloaded from the Mozilla nightly channel right now, if you fancy putting it through its paces. Aurora developer version is due on October 9th 2012, and the Beta channel is likely to see IonMonkey on November 20th 2012.
Source: Toms Hardware
Mozilla Firefox OS: screenshot del nuovo sistema operativo e del Marketplace
Mentre molti stanno seguendo con interesse le vicende legate alla nuova release di Microsoft e di rado arrivano aggiornamenti anche sullo stato dei lavori per BlackBerry 10, in assoluto silenzio e discrezione lavorano i programmatori della Mozilla Foundation, che da quasi un anno stanno portando avanti lo sviluppo di Firefox OS (ex Boot to Gecko).
Non si hanno informazioni sui tempi di rilascio della prima versione del sistema operativo, ma alcuni screenshot sono arrivati in rete in questi giorni. In apertura abbiamo tre immagini ufficiali mandateci proprio dal team Mozilla, con la pagina iniziale del browser sulla sinistra, l’applicazione della radio al centro e galleria delle immagini sulla destra (somiglianza davvero spiccata con la visualizzazione delle immagini offerta dall’App QuickPic).
Firefox 16 beta arrives with web app hooks, Reader Mode for Android and VoiceOver for Macs
Firefox 15 is barely fresh off the vine, and we’re already looking at a beta version 16 for both desktop platforms and Android. Mozilla’s test release builds in the first support for web apps that play nicely with the Mozilla Marketplace; as long as titles have a slight amount of extra formatting, they can slot into Firefox without hiccups. More treats exist if you’re running certain platforms: the Android crowd receives a Safari-style Reader Mode that strips out the fluff from pages, while Mac users see the once test-only VoiceOver support flipped on by default to improve accessibility. Even developers get a little something special through a quick-access toolbar and more readily accessible CSS4 scripting. If any of this sounds tempting, there’s a pair of source links waiting for your attention.
Firefox 15 to arrive in finished form on August 29th, promises truly stealthy updates for all (update 2: stand-alone, Android too)
Mozilla has been keeping to a tight schedule of having a completed Firefox release every five to six weeks, and it’s very much on track. The browser team’s Ehsan Akhgari has confirmed that a properly polished version of Firefox 15 should reach the download servers on August 29th. When it does arrive, the new release will primarily expand the silent updates that Windows users first saw in Firefox 12: future iterations on all platforms will install themselves in the background and should be truly ready to go the next time the browser starts. Beyond this deliberately subtle change, the finished version 15 upgrade should still support Opus audio as well as clamp down on out-of-control memory use from add-ons. We’re looking forward to not noticing the differences very shortly.Update 2: It’s now easier to get a stand-alone copy if you’re not updating, since Mozilla just updated the Firefox front page to reflect the new version. Android users are also getting an update through Google Play that brings earlier speed updates to tablets, a personalized start page and a whole host of extra fixes, some of which come directly from the desktop Firefox 15.
Mozilla Renames Boot2Gecko To Firefox OS And Partners With Six Carriers
Mozila has today announced that it has now renamed it Boot2Gecko mobile HTML5 based mobile operating system to Firefox OS, showing the new operating system is moving closer to launch.
Mozila has also announced partnerships with six carriers who are going to manufacture handsets ready to start running the new Firefox OS operating system, once it is officially launched.
These include Sprint, Telefonica, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Smart and Telenor, as well as partnerships with two device manufacturers TCL Communication Technology and TZE.
“The Firefox OS for mobile devices is built on Mozilla’s “Boot to Gecko project” which unlocks many of the current limitations of web development on mobile, allowing HTML5 applications to access the underlying capabilities of a phone, previously only available to native applications. Telefonica’s Digital unit joined forces with Mozilla earlier this year to take this work and showcase a new phone architecture where every phone feature (calling, messaging, games, etc.) is an HTML5 application.”
Mozilla hopes to have the new handsets in stores buy the end of this year, or early into 2013. Unfortunately no information on pricing or worldwide availability has been released as yet, but as soon as information comes to light we will keep you updated as always.
Source: BGR
Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on)
After a brief stretch in beta followed by some vague teasing, Firefox’s native Android app update is finally set to hit Google Play. While there are a raft of bells and whistles — a new welcome page, curvy Australis tabs, Flash and HTML5 support, for starters — it’s the browser’s newfound speed that is getting the MVP treatment. That rapidity is as good a place as any to start a quick hands-on, especially since the native browser lag on one of our older handsets, a Galaxy S, often makes us want to hurl it through a pane of glass. Mozilla claims it built Firefox to a new benchmark it developed called Eideticker, resulting in an overall browser experience twice as fast as the stock Android one. As advertised, initial loading is quasi-instant, and navigation, zooming and tab switching seemed smooth as well, even on the two-gen-old phone.
Feature-wise, preferences and other desktop settings imported easily with Firefox Sync’s shared password system, and the unfortunately named “Awesome Screen” is the new home page shown above, from which it’s fairly simple to launch your preferred sites. Flash and HTML5 generally displayed correctly despite a few minor rendering bugs, and the curved tabs and other design touches make it one of the more elegant Android browsers we’ve played with. Unfortunately, many sites display in full because they don’t yet detect Firefox as a mobile app, but the installation of the Phony 3.2 add-in lets it impersonate other smartphone browsers, and it seemed to work well. We also didn’t like that tabbed browsing now requires two taps to get to another page, unlike the previous version, but we imagine that was needed for the increased speed. Overall, Firefox is a welcome addition to the Android ecosystem — we bet you’re just as eager to start browsing as we are, so stay tuned for the app to hit Google Play later today, or jump past the break for a quick speed demo from the kind folks at Mozilla.
Firefox 13 final swings by with new home and tab pages, flaunts its SPDYness
It’s been barely over a month since the Firefox 13 beta began, but the wait for a completed version has felt especially drawn out. Thankfully, Mozilla has just wrapped up its work and set loose the polished code. The new release makes its changes felt right away, as you’ll see a new default home page with bookmarks and history. Opening a new tab page presents a list of most visited pages — a feature that we can swear we’ve seen in a few browsers before. A slightly fresher addition switches on Google’s SPDY protocol by default, which as its convenient acronym suggests should squeeze and streamline web traffic to load it faster. Mozilla won’t completely open the floodgates until tomorrow, but you can download Mac and Windows editions today from the source links below.
Firefox 12 now available for download, Windows users get silent updates
It doesn’t yet include the opt-in system for plug-ins that Mozilla is working on, but Firefox users can now download an update that adds a few other new features and new tools for developers. If you’ve lost track, that means were now at version 12.0, and the biggest addition this time around is reserved for Windows users — they’ll now get silent updates that bypass the User Account Control prompt. Apart from that, you’ll now get line numbers when you view a page’s source code, along with a number of other more minor fixes and performance improvements. You can find the full release notes at the source link below.
Mozilla Removes Favicons From Firefox URL’s
Within the latest nightly build released by Mozilla for their Firefox browser, the age-old favicon used by many sites in their URL’s has been removed and will no longer be supported in the URL address bar within Firefox. The favicon has long been used to provide an extra enhancement to websites allowing them to add a small image to the left side of their website URL.
The reason for the removal of the favicon after all this time, is due to a security issue says Mozilla. After unscrupulous websites have published the favicon as a padlock, making the site look secure to visitors, at first glance. However being far from secure in reality. Mozilla explains:
“Websites that use SSL certificates with Extended Validation will now have a green padlock next to the certificate owner’s organisation name.
Websites that use SSL certificates without Extended Validation will now have a grey padlock. The effective hostname will no longer appear next to the padlock. This information is redundant with our darkening of the effective hostname in the website address.
Websites that do not use SSL certificates or have mixed-content will fallback to a globe icon.”
The favicon is also used in bookmark lists to help users differentiate between different websites. Google removed the favicons from their Chrome browser some time back, but still allows them still to be used in bookmark lists and in the tabs used to separating pages within their browser. Lets hope that Mozilla follows a similar line with Firefox.
Source: TNW
Mozilla tests out opt-in system for plug-ins in latest Firefox nightly build
