Firefox 5 Released

Just three months after Firefox 4’s release , one of the most major Firefox updates to date , we now have Firefox 5 , which just happens to be one of the more minor releases.

A while back, Mozilla decided to move Firefox to a new rapid release processl, where new versions of Firefox would be released much faster than before, every six weeks. This is in part due to the success of Chrome using this model, but mostly since it is the best way to get the latest developments to users.

While we do call this version a minor update, it marks a significant step for Mozilla, being the first release under their new rapid release model. This model has required quite a few adjustments for Mozilla due to the repercussions into numerous other products. Thunderbird and SeaMonkey, both of which are based on the same code as Firefox, will need to adjust as well. Thunderbird has already moved to a rapid release model as well, with a beta of Thunderbird 5 released recently, and a beta version of Seamonkey 2.2 based on Gecko 5.0 coming soon.

Firefox Mobile will also follow Firefox’s release cycle, and today also marks the release of Firefox 5 for Mobile (Android).

Another huge adjustment was required for the add-on compatibility process. Already many old Firefox extensions take quite a while to be updated when a new version of Firefox is released, but with releases every 6 weeks, this would quickly become a nightmare. Thankfully, Mozilla has created a new process by which add-ons will be passed through a compatibility scanner, which will automatically detect if an add-on is compatible with the changes made in the latest Firefox version. If an add-on is indeed still compatible, then it’s compatibility will automatically be bumped making it instantly available to uses of the latest Firefox version. Non-compatible add-ons wont automatically be bumped, however the add-on authors will be informed so they can make the requisite changes. A manual validation process is also available for add-ons not hosted on Mozilla’s site.

Another approach to tackling this problem is also in process, with the development of a new Add-on SDK for Firefox, which allows developers to create add-ons using web standard technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Add-ons created using this SDK will not have to worry about compatibility problems as new versions of Firefox are released.

Other than the release process, and the new changes to how Mozilla works with add-ons, Firefox 5 does bring a number of small new features, bug-fixes and improvements. One of the biggest new features is support for CSS3 Animations. CSS3 animations allow web developer to animate HTML elements, allowing for rich web animated web content based on open standards.There have been numerous other improvements to HTML5 support as well. A minor visual change is that the old Do-Not-Track header configuration option has now been moved to the Privacy section where it belongs and is more discoverable.

Firefox 6 and 7 are already in development, and will bring numerous new features, and the best thing is there isn’t long to wait. You can download a pre-release build of Firefox 6 already on the Aurora channel.

Source : Firefox 5 Released

BlackBerry PlayBook to support BlackBerry Java and Android apps

RIM has confirmed that its upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook tablet that’s based on the QNX-designed BlackBerry Tablet OS will have access to Android apps. To be very specific however, this does not mean that the PlayBook will have access to the Android Market. Instead, RIM will provide certain Android applications at its BlackBerry App World, which have been ported by third-parties.

The message to take away here is RIM’s veiled announcement to developers – port popular BlackBerry Java and Android apps to the QNX Neutrino microkernel architecture-based BlackBerry Tablet OS! The operating systems have a “high degree of API compatibility” according to RIM, making the job of porting much simpler. The ports however, will work in a sandbox environment. RIM says it will be launching "two optional 'app players' that provide an application run-time environment for BlackBerry Java apps and Android v2.3 apps. These new app players will allow users to download BlackBerry Java apps and Android apps from BlackBerry App World and run them on their BlackBerry PlayBook."

 As is evident, RIM has now joined the recent trend of companies taking advantage of the rapid growth of the Android platform and ecosystem, with Amazon also taking the call a few days ago to offer Android users an Amazon-branded app store – Amazon Appstore for Android. 

RIM also revealed that the BlackBerry Tablet OS will have native C/C++ development support added, in addition to HTML5, Flash and AIR support. It has also partnered with some of the leading game engines, including Ideaworks Labs (AirPlay) and Unity Technologies (Unity 3).

PlayBook and future QNX-based BlackBerry users really have nothing to lose from this move, while Google is probably sniggering at how this open call to leach apps from the Android Market is only going to drive its growth harder. The PlayBook, releasing on April 19th, will also support BlackBerry Java applications.

Source : BlackBerry PlayBook to support BlackBerry Java and Android apps

Mozilla Releases Firefox 4 for Android, Maemo

One week after the launch of Firefox 4, Mozilla on Tuesday released the mobile version for Android devices. Firefox for Android and Maemo includes many of the features available in the desktop version of Firefox 4, and is available in 13 languages.

Those features include synchronization across the desktop and mobile devices for things like history, bookmarks, open tabs, passwords, and form data. For the security conscious, executives insisted earlier this month that the process is secure; the data is encrypted via a 26-character key.

"Firefox for mobile allows users to take the Firefox experience they love everywhere and minimizes typing with features like tabbed browsing, bookmarks, add-ons and Firefox Sync," Mozilla said in a blog post. "With a sleek new look that hides browser controls when not in use, Firefox allows users to focus on the websites they visit."

Mozilla said Firefox is up to three times faster than the stock Android browser. "Major enhancements to the JavaScript engine make everything from page load speed to graphics to overall performance snappy in Firefox," the company said. The mobile Firefox 4 also has the option to save to PDF for offline viewing, the ability to share via social-networking sites, and a customizable search engine list.

For developers, Mozilla promised an improvement to existing tools like CSS, Canvas, and SVG, as well as location-aware browsing, device orientation, accelerometer, and desktop notifications for HTML5. The JavaScript engine also incorporates the JägerMonkey JIT compiler for faster page load speeds and performances of apps and games.

Firefox 4 for Android is available now via the Android Market and for download on Mozilla's site for Maemo devices.

Source : Mozilla Releases Firefox 4 for Android, Maemo

Mozilla Firefox 4 Released

Mozilla Firefox 4 - faster, more secure, easier to use and sporting a new look, this latest Firefox release sets a new standard for web browser innovation. Mozilla Firefox project (formerly Firebird, which was formerly Phoenix) is a redesign of Mozilla's browser component, written using the XUL user interface language and designed to be cross-platform. It is small, fast and easy to use, and offers many advantages over other web browsers, such as the tabbed browsing and the ability to block pop-up windows. Firefox has the most ways to customize your online experience specifically for the way you use the web. There are more than 6,000 Add-ons (little extras that augment Firefox to meet your unique needs) just waiting out there to help you do more, have more fun and be more creative online. Firefox keeps your personal info personal and your online interests away from the bad guys. Simply put, your security is our top priority.

What makes Firefox different? Most importantly, we re open. That means anyone around the world (and we have thousands of experts watching our back) is able to look into our code and find any potential weak spots in our armor. And when we hear about a problem, we roll up our sleeves and get to work fixing it right away. It s in your best interest (and ours) to take care of the issue, even if it means admitting we re a little less than perfect.

The TraceMonkey javascript engine brings screaming fast performance to Firefox 3.5. With javascript that's more than twice as fast as Firefox 3 and 10x faster than Firefox 2, you ll be able to see the difference without breaking out your stopwatch.

Faster, Safer, Smarter, Better
Things move quickly online, and we ve beefed up the engine that runs Firefox to make sure you can keep up: Firefox 3.5 is more than twice as fast as Firefox 3, and ten times as fast as Firefox 2. As a result, Web applications like email, photo sites and your favorite social networks will feel snappier and more responsive.

More Ways to Keep You Safe
Keeping you safe while you surf is our top priority, which is why we ve upgraded our anti-phishing and anti-malware technologies and have added private browsing and forget this site options to ensure your privacy. Plus, our open source security process means we have experts around the globe working around the clock to keep you (and your personal information) safe.

One Size Doesn t Fit All
Everybody uses the Web differently, so why should your browser be exactly like the next guy s? Whether you re into chatting, cooking or coding, Firefox has more than 6,000 add-ons to help you customize it to fit your exact needs.

Advancing the Web
We ve been working hard to make sure Firefox  brings you the best of the modern web. With new features like private browsing, tear-off tabs and enhancements to the Awesome Bar, plus major performance enhancements, you ll enjoy life on the cutting edge.

New In Firefox 4.0:
    * Tabs are now on top by default on Windows only - OSX and Linux will be changing when the theme has been modified to support the change.
    * On Windows Vista and Windows 7 the menu bar has been replaced with the Firefox button.
    * You can search for and switch to already open tabs in the Smart Location Bar
    * New Addons Manager and extension management API (UI will be changed before final release)
    * Significant API improvements are available for JS-ctypes, a foreign function interface for extensions.
    * The stop and reload buttons have been merged into a single button on Windows, Mac and Linux.
    * The Bookmarks Toolbar has been replaced with a Bookmarks Button by default (you can switch it back if you'd like).
    * Crash protection for Windows, Linux, and Mac when there is a crash in the Adobe Flash, Apple Quicktime or Microsoft Silverlight plugins.
    * CSS Transitions are partially supported.
    * Full WebGL support is included but disabled by default at this time.
    * Core Animation rendering model for plugins on Mac OS X. Plugins which also support this rendering model can now draw faster and more efficiently.
    * Native support for the HD HTML5 WebM video format.
    * An experimental Direct2D rendering backend is available on Windows, turned off by default.
    * Web developers can use Websockets for a low complexity, low latency, bidirectional communications API.
    * Web developers can update the URL field without reloading the page using HTML History APIs.
    * More responsive page rendering using lazy frame construction.
    * Link history lookup is done asynchronously to provide better responsiveness during pageload.
    * CSS :visited selectors have been changed to block websites from being able to check a user's browsing history.
    * New HTML5 parser.
    * Support for more HTML5 form controls.

Source : Mozilla Firefox 4 Released