Mozilla launched Firefox 23 for Windows, Mac and Linux Tuesday with a redesigned logo, new security features, social share functionality and also updated the Android version of the app.
Looks like browsers have been getting a lot of attention of late. In July, Microsoft launched a developer preview of IE11 for Windows 7 and Google also released the Chrome Beta for Android with WebRTC support and Video Chat from the device browser. Mozilla joins the competition with its latest update for Firefox. The California-based software company not only redesigned the Firefox ball logo, but also made several changes to attract new internet users.
The latest update introduces mixed content blocking, which protects users "from man-in-the-middle attacks and eavesdroppers on HTTPS pages." In addition, Mozilla also integrated a share button into the browser toolbar, which allows users to share content with friends in one click without leaving the current webpage. The feature currently works with Facebook Messenger for Firefox and Cliqz but will expand its support to other websites soon.
"There is endless potential for integrating social networks, e-mail, finance, music, to-do lists, sports, news and other applications into your Firefox experience," the company said in its official Mozilla blog post.
Next up is the new Network Monitor in the toolbar, which monitors the time taken to load individual website components. The update includes several changes that are listed in the Firefox Notes. The upgraded browser also has an option to switch the search provider across the entire browser and some security fixes to ensure better performance overall.
The Android version of the browser also got a major face lift, including a new logo and a new personalized page called "Awesome Screen," which features auto-complete option while typing a URL. Firefox for Android introduces "Switch to Tab," which eliminates duplicate tabs and switches to the tab that you are looking for from the Awesome Screen.
Auto-hide toolbar has finally made its way to Firefox for Android, similar to Chrome and default mobile browser, which hides the tool bar as you scroll the page down. Mozilla also introduced a new option where users can long press the Reader Mode icon to add articles to the Reading List. The new RSS reader automatically detects RSS feed. Similar to the desktop version, the mobile app features many other updates that are listed in the Notes page.
The Firefox 23 is available for download on Google Play Store for Android devices and from the website for desktops.
