Firefox to Get a New Interface in Second Half of 2012
Mozilla has updated its Firefox roadmap for 2012.
Those who have been following the Firefox release tracking tables will not find any surprises, but the list certainly serves as a guide of the baseline of new features and changes Firefox will see by the end of the year, when we will be using Firefox version 17.
Immediate changes for Q1 include add-on sync and add-on compatibility improvements as well as the long-overdue Chrome migration feature, which will allow Chrome users to switch to Firefox and take all their data, including bookmarks, conveniently with them. Mozilla will also update its media control set for HTML5. Q2 will bring the also long overdue Home Tab app, Firefox's new start page, as well as a new New Tab page and Silent Update support, which has been delayed since version 9 and now appears to be scheduled for a final and complete release in version 13, scheduled for a June 5 release.
Mozilla expects to deliver web apps and market place integration by version 13 as well and provide URL auto-complete for Firefox's location bar, faster session restore as well as a memory improvements with a new garbage collector.
For the second half of the year, we are noticing a resurfaced Firefox Share, which was first mentioned for Firefox 5, a built-in PDF viewer, Mozilla's web identity management system and IonMonkey, Mozilla's new JavaScript engine. Noteworthy is also an updated interface, which replaces the current interface with a much more stylish version that makes Firefox much more recognizable than it is today.
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Douglas Perry was a freelance writer for Tom's Hardware covering semiconductors, storage technology, quantum computing, and processor power delivery. He has authored several books and is currently an editor for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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Netherscourge I think it's cool they're adding a new Chrome-Migration feature.Reply
What I wasn't expecting was that Mozilla was ACTUALLY IMPORTING CHROME ITSELF into it's Firefox Browser.
lol
Come on guys! DO something DIFFERENT. -
amk-aka-Phantom No, no, NO. Again? I HATE Chrome look! The current Firefox look with menu enabled and tabs at the bottom is THE BEST. They better leave an option to customize the new Fox back to that normal look.Reply -
NapoleonDK Agreed with the above. This is way too much like Chrome. As a Chrome fanatic, I like the style, since the minimalist features are what drew me when Chrome was first released. Since its release, other browsers have taken a large number of features of Chrome and incorporated them into the interface...but variety is the spice of life! If I want to explore a new browser, I expect something different from the one I am already using!Reply
That said, I really like the little download manager in the upper right. (Says "↓ 10s") I wonder if that is part of the browser or an extension? Chromes manager could use a little work! -
Kreth What the fuck is this shit?Reply
If i wanted crap i would isntall something that isnt firefox, give me back my original firefox look.