Firefox 4.0, Better Performance, More HTML5 Support, Improved Security

[0veR]

While end users might choose to focus on palpable features for the next version of Mozilla’s open source browser, such as the overhauled graphical user interface, fact is that Firefox 4.0 will bring to the table much more than the revamped UI. And there are new features bound to make little sense to the vast majority of the Firefox audience. This, however is not valid for developers, no matter whether they choose to focus on the browser itself or on building web experiences. Just as Microsoft has the new IETestDrive website, an online destination dedicated to web developers (much as the Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) Platform Preview releases), so too Mozilla offers a nook for devs interested in the evolution to Firefox 4.0.

“Firefox 4, due to enter beta in late June, enhances performance, adds more support for HTML5 and other evolving Web technologies, and further improves security. This article provides initial information about this upcoming release and what features are available for Web developers, add-on developers, and Gecko platform developers alike,” an excerpt from the website reads.

According to the open source browser vendor, developers should keep revisiting the webpage in question, for additional content will be added as Firefox 4.0 begins to take shape. The online destination also features an impressive enumeration of Firefox 4.0 features set up especially for web developers. And as devs will be able to see, there are a number of focus points, such as HTML, CSS, graphics and video, DOM, Security, and JavaScript.

At the same time, Mozilla reveals the changes that will impact developers of Firefox 4.0 add-ons. Extensions are a very important part of the overall Firefox experience, and, with version 4.0, the open source browser will sport: tabbrowser (gBrowser) changes, new JavaScript code modules, XUL modifications, but also changes to storage and memory management.

Source: Softpedia

[oZ.]

i can't wait until a whole new version of firefox

[JessicaLeigh]

Me too. The thing I'm looking forward to most, is testing the new plug-in code (I believe that was covered in another FF story a month or two ago). I'm curious to see in what way they are an improvement over the current code. I'm hoping the browser is quicker starting up under the newer add-ons functionality (I currently use anywhere from 10 to 14 add-ons, and it's quite noticeable as to how it slows the installed browser; even worse using the portable version of FF 3.6.3). I'm also wondering if the current add-ons can/will be grandfathered into the FF 4.x browser add-ons, or will they all have to be rewritten for FF 4.x. If I had to guess; I'd say they'll all have to be re-written in order for them to be usable in FF4. It's exciting for me! See? Told ya' I'm a geek! :) LOLz

[Bizarre™]

@JessicaLeigh:

I'm using a custom build of 3.6.4 Build 6, and I've gotta say it's pretty stable ^_^

[oZ.]

Me too. The thing I'm looking forward to most, is testing the new plug-in code (I believe that was covered in another FF story a month or two ago). I'm curious to see in what way they are an improvement over the current code. I'm hoping the browser is quicker starting up under the newer add-ons functionality (I currently use anywhere from 10 to 14 add-ons, and it's quite noticeable as to how it slows the installed browser; even worse using the portable version of FF 3.6.3). I'm also wondering if the current add-ons can/will be grandfathered into the FF 4.x browser add-ons, or will they all have to be rewritten for FF 4.x. If I had to guess; I'd say they'll all have to be re-written in order for them to be usable in FF4. It's exciting for me! See? Told ya' I'm a geek! :) LOLz

i would say ya they have to re write all the addons because it's whole new version