Sit up and pay attention, Firefox fans. Mozilla has just released details on what they plan to include for version 3.6 of their popular browser, and so far it's looking delicious. The code name for the version is Namoroka, a national park in Madagascar, which keeps to Mozilla's naming conventions. Mozilla has split development of this build off from the development of the upcoming version 3.5, and it has also been expected that 3.6 will not even be the final version number, according to Mozilla Links. So what kind of changes are looking at? Well, according to the official Wiki for the version, this is the focus:
Performance:
Observable improvements in user-perceptible performance metrics such as startup, time to open a new tab, and responsiveness when interacting with the user interface. Common user tasks should feel faster and more responsive.
Personalization & Customization:
Simplify the development, discovery, installation and management of browser customization and functional extension. Where possible, provide a custom fit user experience based on a user's interaction history. Act in the user's interests, leveraging existing knowledge about their identity and browsing habits.
Task Based Navigation:
Allow users to organize their tabs, history, downloaded files, and other resources according to the task they were attempting to accomplish. Provide support for executing common web-based tasks, mash-up style, without having to visit a website.
Web Application Support:
Blur the distinction between web and desktop applications, providing web developers with the tools required to create rich application experiences for a user who is connected or disconnected from the Internet. Act as the intermediary between web applications and the user's OS desktop.
System Integration:
Integrate with the look and feel of the host operating system, including data-level interactions with existing system services such as dictionaries.
It's interesting to see Web Applications support in there; currently this is only available by downloading Mozilla Prism, or even more alternatively, Google Chrome. Some other changes include a new theme for Windows, which will be Aero Glass based, a better method for file uploading, and the ability to install themes and extensions without having to restart the application. This is going to be a big one for fans of theming for Firefox, as having to restart the software each time is a pretty significant time waster, especially to those who try a lot of themes before they settle on one.
It's expected for this version to be publicly available in May 2010, so there's still a bit of a wait to go yet.
But one year is too much
But one year is too much
There'll be some nice versions released between now and then
i want new stable foxie noooow... i cant stand crappy 3.0 rss refreshing that hangs whole app,
Confusing, yes, but their marketing team hasn't decided for a version number yet, and this version is picked because it's 0.1 higher than the currently branched Firefox 3.5 builds. Yes, it's really as simple as that.
So this will likely become Firefox 4. And then the 2010 date doesn't sound very odd anymore. So one can pretty much start using Firefox 4 pre-alpha builds today, just start using the trunk builds... I personally prefer the 3.5 branch builds though for stability; they've been stable for months for me by now.
Last edited by Jugalator on 06 Apr 2009 - 22:13
And the 3.6 discussed here will likely become the very 4.0 release.
And it is by Google.
If I could use NoScript and AdBlock on Chrome I'd be using it right now. Separated processes per tab and sandboxing are both extremely awesome but its seriously impossible for me to work without NS and ADB.
And it is by Google.
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=750116
#1 IE8
#2 Chrome
#3 Firefox
Firefox and Chrome are really battling for the #2 spot as far as usage.
Windows 7 is really going to give IE8 another boost...
Exactly my feedback to the program. Although faster than IE, it still looks like Netscape. It's like a BMW 200-series. Nice for the oldtimer lover, but outdated compared to current designs.
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