Firefox for Mobile Beta now available... if you own a Nokia N810 or N900

Filed under: Mozilla, Browsers

All ten of you that don't own a BlackBerry or iPhone... rejoice! I just can't believe I get to use the new Firefox for Mobile logo twice in two days.

It might be buggy, it might be slow, but the Fennec web browser has finally been branded a Mozilla product and dubbed the 'Firefox for Mobile Beta 5'. If you want to see a picture of it up and running on a mobile handset, head on over to the NokiaExperts website.

Here's a quick run-down of the features and neat bits:

• AWESOMEBAR -- I had no idea it was actually called this. It's the searching-url-navigation-bar thing. I wonder how slow it searches through my web history, compared to the sluggish performance on my laptop...
• Security -- password manager, pop-up blocker, automatic updates -- all there!
• Add-ons -- you can find and install add-ons straight to the device (though I have no idea what kind of add-on compatibility there is...)
• Device geolocation -- it seems there's a JavaScript API call that lets developers/web sites geolocate the handset? Cool.
• Neat swiping stuff -- swipe left and right to expose and hide navigation and tabs.

Awesome! Now when do we see it on a device with larger-than-miniscule user base?

[via NokiaExperts]

Firefox for Mobile Beta now available... if you own a Nokia N810 or N900 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firefox 3.6 Beta 2 now ready for download, with 190 bug fixes

Filed under: Mozilla, Browsers

The second beta version of Firefox 3.6 has arrived, following hot on the furry little heels of 3.6b1, which was only a week and a half old. Mozilla's touting a whopping 190 bug fixes in that time, many of them user-submitted. If you're using an older version of 3.6, you should definitely update.

In my personal experience with 3.6, I've found that most of my themes and several of my add-ons (including the essential Greasemonkey) haven't been updated yet. On the whole, however, it feels very fast (especially at startup) and has proven very stable.

All the major upgrades came in 3.6b1, but if you're using Firefox 3 or 3.5, here's what might entice you to give 3.6 a shot: it offers faster Javascript performance and startup time, built-in support for the Personas one-click theming system, full-screen video and poster frames. If you want to wait for the final version of 3.6, you'll be pleased to hear it's scheduled for December. If the quick turnaround on Beta 2 is any indication, Mozilla is back on track to make that deadline.

Firefox 3.6 Beta 2 now ready for download, with 190 bug fixes originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mozilla launches Jetpack Gallery, restart-free pseudo add-ons now available

Filed under: Mozilla, Beta, Browsers

Jetpack is certainly an interesting project, and the fact that it brings no-restart add-on-like functionality to Firefox is awesome.

Today, Mozilla announced the launch of the Jetpack Gallery. It is to jetpacks what the Firefox add-ons site is to traditional add-ons. Up until now, Jetpack users had pretty limited options for finding packs - a single page of descriptions and links maintained by Mozilla and a community-powered assortment at Userscripts.org.

At the Jetpack Gallery, you can search for jetpacks and browse by tag. The assortment is still quite limited, though submissions will likely begin flowing in now that the doors have officially opened.

Continue reading Mozilla launches Jetpack Gallery, restart-free pseudo add-ons now available

Mozilla launches Jetpack Gallery, restart-free pseudo add-ons now available originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add URL tooltips to Firefox with a handy add-on

Filed under: Mozilla, Browsers

I'm not a big fan of status bars in browsers. Most of the time, they're just wasting 20 or so pixels of vertical display space.

That doesn't mean I want to miss out on the functions the status bar provides - like displaying the destination of links I hover over.

The URL Tooltip addon offers a simple remedy for that. Once installed, you'll see a tooltip balloon whenever you park your pointer on a link. And never mind the status bar - it's nice to see the link appear in the spot you're already looking at.

For those of you running a netbook, this is a great little add-on to make part of your add-on arsenal.

And no, I did not just buy a Maximus keyboard - just in case you were wondering...

[via Mozilla Links]

Add URL tooltips to Firefox with a handy add-on originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mozilla's Weave browser sync add-on for Firefox hits beta

Filed under: Mozilla, Beta, Browsers

I've been using Mozilla Weave to keep my Firefox profiles synched across different machines and platforms for quite some time. Today, Mozilla Labs has announced that the add-on is finally ready for official beta testing.

Version 1.0b1 is out now and available for installation. Version 0.8 is still listed in the Firefox add-ons directory, but it should install the newest release. If you're already running Weave, just head to your Firefox add-ons and check for updates.

What's new in the latest version? More speed, a simplified interface, and smarter syncing in the background. Weave's settings screen is nicely integrated into the Firefox options menu, so there's every chance we'll see it integrated in a future version of Firefox - like its Labs cousin Personas.

Mozilla's Weave browser sync add-on for Firefox hits beta originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 7 taskbar previews to be disabled by default in Firefox 3.6

Filed under: Mozilla, Beta, Browsers

Those of you running Firefox on Windows 7 who were excited when taskbar previews landed, get ready for a little disappointment. It looks as though getting Aero features ready in time for the release of Firefox 3.6 is no longer part of the game plan.

It was already known that jump list support won't be arriving until later on. After a lengthy discussion on Bugzilla, the decision was made to disable Firefox 3.6's other Windows 7 integration feature.

The code is still there in 3.6b3pre, so you can still enable thumbnail previews in your about:config. The general feeling is that too many users were still seeing the spinning up circles and not actual thumbnails.

The general perception is that Windows 7 enthusiasts would be OK with simply flipping the switch themselves.

Ultimately, this move is about Firefox devs addressing more critical issues now so that 3.6 can be released. They'll have plenty of time to perfect the feature in future minor updates to 3.6. For now, the priority needs to be on getting 3.6 final out the door.

Windows 7 taskbar previews to be disabled by default in Firefox 3.6 originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Proper web browsing on a console: Firefox coming to the Sony PS3?

Filed under: Games, Mozilla, Browsers

It seems the age of humdrum, crippled browsers on consoles might finally be coming to an end! Though the details are very slim, with the only source being an unnamed insider very close to Sony, it is exciting news indeed if it turns out to true.

Games consoles have always had feeble browser offerings, with PS3's default browser generally considered one of the worst and most unreliable. Porting Firefox to the PS3 would make a lot of sense, especially if Sony intend to inroads against the competing XBox Live service. Or perhaps they need a proper web browser for their newly-announced iTunes-killer...?

Obviously this is very much a rumour, but it would make a lot of sense -- and it will probably appear quite soon, considering how hard Sony are pushing for a larger slice of the console market at the moment.

I wonder if Flash and the ability to stream videos from sites like YouPo YouTube will be included....

[via CNET]

Proper web browsing on a console: Firefox coming to the Sony PS3? originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firefox Army clashes with IE in Central Europe, wins browser share crown

Filed under: News, Mozilla, Browsers

The Firefox army is hundreds of millions of soldiers strong. After successfully taking the southernmost continent on the globe, the Mozilla Militia continues to run full speed ahead across Europe. Today's battlefront: the central region.

As you can see in the header image, Firefox and IE recently crossed paths. The chart shows data gathered from nine countries - Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine - from January 1, 2007 to the present. Internet Explorer continues its downward slide, Firefox has now claimed almost 50% of the browser share in Central Europe.

So go ahead, EU, complain all you want about Microsoft unfairly using their influence to ensure everyone's PC is running IE. It's obviously not hurting Firefox (or Opera, for that matter).

Maybe users really are smart enough to find and install their own browser? Who'da thunk it.

[via Mozilla]

Firefox Army clashes with IE in Central Europe, wins browser share crown originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTML5 YouTube viewer: close, but not quite there

Filed under: Utilities, Video

Everyone knows Flash is a massive resource hog, especially on Mac or Linux. If you're sick of totally bogging down your system whenever you want to watch a YouTube video, the new video specifications in HTML5 might be the answer. By using HTML and plugging into the Mp4 streams on YouTube, the folks at NeoSmart have created an HTML5 YouTube Viewer. It doesn't quite work perfectly, and not every browser is ready for it, but it's nice proof-of-concept to try out.

The Download Squad team had mixed results watching videos with this viewer. Firefox was a bust - NeoSmart says it's because of proprietary codec issues - but some other browsers worked. I got working video (extremely smooth working video, actually) on both Chrome and Safari for Mac, but no audio. Meanwhile, on the Windows side, fellow Download Squad bloggers report that the HTML5 viewer works well in Chrome 4 in XP, and Chrome 3 on Windows 7.

Meanwhile,YouTube seems to be running its own HTML5 tests, including some examples of new in-browser 3D rendering features. Sounds like this could finally be the end of reliance on Flash ... once your browser supports it, or once YouTube starts supporting OGG Theora, Firefox and Chrome's video format of choice for HTML5.

HTML5 YouTube viewer: close, but not quite there originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High-def junkies rejoice! Here comes YouTube in glorious 1080p HD

Filed under: Video, Web services

As consumer video equipment continues to get better and cheaper, high-definition video has become increasingly common on video sharing sites like YouTube. So far, YouTube will display HD video up to 720p, but the newest cameras offer even sexier 1080p video. Next week, so will YouTube, as it introduces support for "true HD." Your new HD video uploads will be viewable in their full 1080p, and any old 1080p you've uploaded will be automatically reencoded for full resolution once the feature launches.

This is a well-timed feature release, because I'm certain plenty of 1080p cameras are going to be sold this christmas. YouTube's new HD isn't just good news for fans of gift-unboxing videos and dogs in holiday sweaters, though. Also consider the possibilities for new movie trailers and game demos. Eye candy city, here we come!

[via Mashable]

High-def junkies rejoice! Here comes YouTube in glorious 1080p HD originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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