Not everyone gets by with the default browser on their computer, and when it comes to picking an alternative, Firefox is one of the most popular out there, having clawed back support from upstart rivals like Google Chrome and Opera in recent years by switching to a rapid release cycle, ensuring major new versions of the browser are released every six weeks.
It’s true to say that individual updates often fail to deliver anything substantial, but cumulatively they roll together to produce a web browser that is radically different to the one – version 4 – that marked the start of a new era back in 2011.
Some of the landmark new features we’ve seen include a per-site Permissions Manager, enhanced Sync options, tabs on demand, silent updates and add-on enhancements. We also saw the launch of specific development branches including UX, which has led to the new Australis user interface, which sees a streamlined tab, revamped menu and customisation features.
One group particularly well served by the rapid release cycle have been developers, and a plethora of tools from Javascript Scratchpad (from Firefox 6) to full-blown Developer Toolbar (from Firefox 16) have worked their way into successive builds as Firefox courts this important community of users.
And underpinning this all are a constantly evolving set of performance improvements, standards support (HTML5 and CSS3 are constantly being added to, for instance) and bug fixes.
Verdict:
If you're going to stick it to the man and avoid the Chromium browser engine, then supporting Firefox is a no-brainer.
Changelog
Firefox 120 is now in the stable channel. Improvements/changes include:
- Firefox supports a new “Copy Link Without Site Tracking” feature in the context menu which ensures that copied links no longer contain tracking information.
- Firefox now supports a setting (in Preferences → Privacy & Security) to enable Global Privacy Control. With this opt-in feature, Firefox informs the websites that the user doesn’t want their data to be shared or sold. This feature is enabled in private browsing mode by default.
- Firefox’s private windows and ETP-Strict privacy configuration now enhance the Canvas APIs with Fingerprinting Protection, thereby continuing to protect our users’ online privacy.
- Firefox is rolling-out Cookie Banner Blocker by default in private windows for users in Germany during the coming weeks. Firefox will now auto-refuse cookies and dismiss annoying cookie banners for supported sites.
- Firefox has enabled URL Tracking Protection by default in private windows for all users in Germany. Firefox will remove non-essential URL query parameters that are often used to track users across the web.
- Firefox now imports TLS trust anchors (e.g., certificates) from the operating system root store. This will be enabled by default on Windows, macOS, and Android, and if needed, can be turned off in settings (Preferences → Privacy & Security → Certificates).
- Keyboard shortcuts have now been added for editing and deleting a selected credential on about:logins. For editing - Alt + enter (Option + return on macOS) and for deleting - Alt + Backspace (Option + Delete on macOS).
- Users on Ubuntu Linux now have the ability to import from Chromium when both are installed as Snap packages.
- Picture-in-Picture now supports corner snapping on Windows and Linux - just hold Ctrl as you move the PiP window.
- Fixed. Various security fixes.
Your Comments & Opinion
This is just another link in the puzzle to make this browser look like Chrome, and that is not good - if we wanted Chrome, we would go straight to the source.
I really don't like to always be critical, but much of the "innovation" seen in FF's last 10 or so updates have been in the wrong direction, and are offputting to the long time users of the browser.
For myself, I'd like to see more movement toward Presto-based Opera, and FAR LESS movement toward Chrome.
Check out the next version of Firefox before it's released
Check out the next version of Firefox before it's released
Check out the next version of Firefox before it's released
Check out the next version of Firefox before it's released
A powerful FTP client with many useful features
A powerful FTP client with many useful features
Save time by allowing RoboForm to automatically fill in online forms for you
The latest stable Chrome is a rather minor update
The latest stable Chrome is a rather minor update