Mozilla outs Firefox 8, updates Android browser

Mozilla on Tuesday revealed two newly updated browsers, the final version of Firefox 8 for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems, along with an update for Android devices (free, Android Market). Either update is said to make web browsing easier and give developers greater control of customizing the way they interact with the Internet. Firefox 8 for desktops now includes Twitter as a search option.

This feature makes it easier for Twitter users to find new topics, hashtags and usernames. The search is thus far available in four Firefox languages, including English, Portuguese, Slovenian and Japanese, though other languages will be added in subsequent updates.

The tab loading capability of Firefox 8 lets users pick which ones to load and makes restoring windows with many tabs much faster. Add-ons that accompany third-party software and install themselves without permission will be disabled, allowing users to opt-in rather than the other way around.

Also newly supported is Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) that lets developers load 3D WebGL textures from other domains and keep them secure.

Devs also get a simple HTML5 mark-up that lets them customize options users have when right-clicking.

The Android app brings with it a new Firefox Master Password that protects all saved usernames and passwords to keep info private even when devices are lost. Likewise new are HTML5-based Web apps that create a shortcut to a bookmarked website or Web app to the home screen.

Firefox 8

Firefox for Android

By Electronista Staff