Mozilla Introduces Firefox 29 the Most Customizable Ever

[Brink]

Mozilla is a non-profit organization driven by the mission of promoting openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web. We work as a global community to build products like Firefox that embody the values of our mission and create more user control, flexibility and innovation on the Web.

In the nearly 10 years since we first launched Firefox, it has grown to be the trusted and most customizable browser of choice for half a billion people worldwide.

We reimagined and redesigned Firefox to reflect how you use the Web today and we are excited to introduce many features including an elegant and fun design, new menu, customization mode and an enhanced Firefox Sync service powered by Firefox Accounts.



The first thing you’ll notice in Firefox is the beautiful new design that makes it easy to focus on your Web content. The tabs are sleek and smooth to help you navigate the Web faster. It’s easy to see what tab you’re currently visiting and the other tabs fade into the background to be less of a distraction when you’re not using them.

The Firefox menu has moved to the right corner of the toolbar and puts all your browser controls in one place. The menu includes a “Customize” tool that transforms Firefox into a powerful customization mode where you can add or move any feature, service or add-on. This level of Firefox customization puts you in control of your Web experience and is unmatched by any other browser.

The new Firefox Sync service is a safe and easy way to take your Firefox everywhere. Firefox Sync gives you access to Awesome Bar browsing history, saved passwords, bookmarks, open tabs and form data across your computers and mobile Android devices. It is powered by Firefox Accounts and simplifies the setup and device syncing process.

We looked at every piece of Firefox and made everything more enjoyable and easier to use – even bookmarks. You can create bookmarks with a single click and manage them from the same place.



Check out just some of the new features below, and have fun making Firefox yours.


What’s New in Firefox:

• Elegant New Design: Sleek new tabs and an overall modern look that makes it easier to experience the Web the way you want.
• Customization Mode: Makes it easy for you to personalize your Web experience to access the features you use the most. You can easily drag and drop your favorite feature, tool or add-on in the menu or toolbar.
• Firefox Menu: Includes popular browser controls, features and add-ons in one place to make it easier and faster to access them. The menu is completely customizable so you can edit or add features you use most.
• Fun and Simple Bookmarks: You can create bookmarks with a single click and manage them from the same place.
• Easy Access to Add-ons Manager: Firefox includes an Add-ons Manager you can access directly from the menu to help easily discover and install add-ons.
• Enhanced Firefox Sync Powered by Firefox Accounts: Just create a Firefox Account and our sync feature makes it even easier to setup and add multiple devices with end-to-end encryption. Firefox Sync gives you access to Awesome Bar history, saved passwords, bookmarks, open tabs and form data across your computers and mobile Android devices.

Web Platform and Developer Tools:

• WebRTC: Firefox supports WebRTC, which enables video calls and file sharing between browsers.
• WebAPIs: There are now more than 30 Mozilla-pioneered WebAPIs, which unlock more functionality and features in the Web platform.
• asm.js and Emscripten: asm.js is a Mozilla-pioneered subset of JavaScript that can run at near-native speed for games and other performance-intensive applications. Specific asm.js optimizations in Firefox mean it currently runs asm.js-style code faster than any other browser. Using asm.js and Emscripten, we helped Epic Games and Unity add the Web as another export option to their hugely popular game engines without the need for plugins.
• Web Audio API: With Web Audio API, developers can now build robust audio engines capable of new features like positional audio and support for effects such as reverb, which can create immersive audio experiences on the Web, which is especially important for game developers.
• CSS Flexbox: The integration of CSS Flexbox in Firefox makes it easier for developers to build user interfaces that adapt to the size of the browser window or to create elastic layouts which adapt themselves to the font size. This is helpful when developers are trying to create a consistent user interface to their Website or Web app across desktop and mobile.
• App Manager: Brings the Firefox Web developer tools to mobile app developers, simplifying mobile Web app development with live prototyping and debugging of apps on Firefox OS phones directly from the desktop.
• Extension APIs: Developers using the Add-on SDK can now use the new button and toolbar APIs to easily integrate their add-on with Firefox’s new customizable toolbar.

For more information:

• Firefox press kit – screenshots, features guide
• Download Firefox for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Release Notes for Firefox for Windows, Mac and Linux
• More information on Firefox for Android
• Web We Want

Source: https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/...able-firefox-ever-with-an-elegant-new-design/

 

[Sarris]

Ugly FireChrome with the new (not) Asstralis look.

Not only have they dumbed down the interface, they've screwed all the desktop users in favor of touchscreen and mobile devices.

I have been and continue to use Pale Moon. The dev says he's keeping the old GUI, customizations, add-on bars, status bars, etc. and he has has a x64 version as well.

FireChrome is a bad joke.

Their intro article and blog is total rubbish

 

[Boozad]

These are the four buttons I use on Firefox (apart from switching or closing tabs) so the look or functionality don't bother me.

 

[ThrashZone]

Funny did Firefox merge with Chrome

 

[scr]

Funny did Firefox merge with Chrome

Same question came to mind when I looked it over this morning.

Like Sarris posted I'll stick with Pale Moon as well.

 

[Bertison]

Well I like it so far, what exactly is the problem? The looks? does it work in some way that upsets you?

It works fine for me, and my missus loves it, what she knows or cares about computers does not go past the shopping, outings and activities and email. Has very little computer knowledge but took to FF 29 right away.

Horses for courses, what are the technical objections?

 

[stormy13]

This may come in handy for those that don't like the new look,

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/classicthemerestorer/

 

[C-11]

Yep, I installed Classic Theme Restorer yesterday.
How to turn the new Firefox 29 into the old Firefox | gHacks Technology News

 

[Phone Man]

Yep, I installed Classic Theme Restorer yesterday.
How to turn the new Firefox 29 into the old Firefox | gHacks Technology News

I have some add-ons that use the add-on bar and that is gone. Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

Did you have to do this recommendation?

It is recommended to switch to a new clean profile (or at least delete 'localstore.rdf' from profile folder) to avoid UI issues after upgrading from Firefox 28 (and older) to Firefox 29 (and newer).

 

[stormy13]

Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

Could do it the way I have always done it. Just right click somewhere on the page and select "Bookmark this page", that is still there in the context menu.

 

[C-11]

Yep, I installed Classic Theme Restorer yesterday.
How to turn the new Firefox 29 into the old Firefox | gHacks Technology News

I have some add-ons that use the add-on bar and that is gone. Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

Did you have to do this recommendation?

It is recommended to switch to a new clean profile (or at least delete 'localstore.rdf' from profile folder) to avoid UI issues after upgrading from Firefox 28 (and older) to Firefox 29 (and newer).

No, I did not do that. I have had no problems.
I'll get back to you on the bookmarks.

 

[Sprockett]

Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

Could do it the way I have always done it. Just right click somewhere on the page and select "Bookmark this page", that is still there in the context menu.

Dragging the tab still works as well. The only thing that annoyed me at all so far is I can't seem to set up an open bookmark sidebar button on the taskbar, only the drop down one. Ctrl-b still works though.

 

[crawfish]

Yep, I installed Classic Theme Restorer yesterday.
How to turn the new Firefox 29 into the old Firefox | gHacks Technology News

I have some add-ons that use the add-on bar and that is gone. Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

FWIW, I create Bookmarks mainly by dragging URLs out of the Address Bar and into the Bookmarks Sidebar, which gives me complete control over where they go. I've always done that.

Did you have to do this recommendation?

It is recommended to switch to a new clean profile (or at least delete 'localstore.rdf' from profile folder) to avoid UI issues after upgrading from Firefox 28 (and older) to Firefox 29 (and newer).

I did not.

 

[margrave]

I'm running Firefox 20. Why change?

 

[C-11]

Yep, I installed Classic Theme Restorer yesterday.
How to turn the new Firefox 29 into the old Firefox | gHacks Technology News

I have some add-ons that use the add-on bar and that is gone. Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

Did you have to do this recommendation?

It is recommended to switch to a new clean profile (or at least delete 'localstore.rdf' from profile folder) to avoid UI issues after upgrading from Firefox 28 (and older) to Firefox 29 (and newer).

No, I did not do that. I have had no problems.
I'll get back to you on the bookmarks.

Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

Could do it the way I have always done it. Just right click somewhere on the page and select "Bookmark this page", that is still there in the context menu.

Dragging the tab still works as well. The only thing that annoyed me at all so far is I can't seem to set up an open bookmark sidebar button on the taskbar, only the drop down one. Ctrl-b still works though.

I got mine up there yesterday.

Ctrl + D to bring up page bookmarked, then select where to save.
I have dragged & dropped for years.

 

[Phone Man]

Also can't find out how to bookmark a site and save it where I want. It just sticks in bookmarks then I have to move it. Maybe I am missing something.

Could do it the way I have always done it. Just right click somewhere on the page and select "Bookmark this page", that is still there in the context menu.

That's what I wanted. Thanks. There use to be a "STAR" button that did that but it got changed.

Thanks, Mickey for the Ctl-D option.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[A Guy]

I'm running Firefox 20. Why change?

Firefox 20 is insecure. A Guy

 

[Phone Man]

Here is a my screen shot of FF29. Clean and simple.



Jim

 

[ThisIsMadness91]

I haven't customised Firefox much, so it's mostly the same for me. It may take some time for me to get used to the menu button being relocated to the right. For the time being, the noticeable changes don't concern me but don't seem necessary either.

 

[mjf]

I'm finding Firefox a little sluggish with age. Someone I know uses Chrome and it appears more responsive.