Firefox 2.0, the next version of Mozilla Firefox has officially been released. I assume that the automated Firefox Update system should prompt Firefox 1.5.x users to upgrade over the next few days, although it currently seems to be unaware of the update.
For those who don’t want to wait (like me), Firefox can be downloaded from Mozilla.com [1].
I’ll leave the question of “what’s new?” to the Mozilla Press Release
What’s New in Firefox 2
Improvements to the user interface, security tools and options for customization, combine to deliver a rich, engaging, safer and more productive Web browsing experience for all.
Tabbed browsing. Firefox popularized tabbed browsing, enabling multiple Web sites to be viewed as separate tabs contained within a single browser window, and improving people’s efficiency by helping them better organize their desktops. In Firefox 2, tabbed browsing has been further improved with the addition of individual close buttons on each tab, enhanced tab navigation features, and a session restore system that automatically restores previously-open windows and tabs when a new browsing session is started.
Spell checking. Modern Web sites are increasingly complex with the rollout of new, rich Internet applications, such as word processors, spreadsheets and blogging tools. Inline spell checking in Firefox 2 automatically checks for spelling errors and suggests corrections as users interact with Web sites, bringing a common desktop feature to the Web.
Search. Search is one of the most frequently used features of the Web. With Firefox 2, Mozilla improves the browser’s integrated search capabilities, making it even easier for users to find the information they are looking for. The new Search Suggestions feature dynamically updates a drop-down list of suggested search terms as users enter text into the search bar for Google, Yahoo! or Answers.com search engines.
Web feeds. Firefox users can now take better advantage of the frequently updated content offered by Web sites, with increased options for handling Web feeds. Users now see a preview of the content being offered and are given the option to subscribe to a feed as a Live Bookmark, using a Web service such as Bloglines, My Yahoo!, or Google Reader, or with a desktop application.
Identity theft protection. In addition to its award-winning safeguards for blocking drive-by installation of spyware and unwanted pop-up windows, Firefox 2 helps protect users from identity theft by quickly informing them when they surf to a questionable Web site. To protect users’ privacy, Phishing Protection is active by default with a local blacklist that updates hourly, rather than sending information to an external online service. An enhanced mode is available where users may optionally elect to have Firefox check the validity of Web sites with a third-party Web service, such as Google, prior to loading the site. Phishing Protection provides warnings, advice and guidance when Firefox encounters a Web site that appears to be fraudulent or malicious.
Proven security model. Mozilla’s open and transparent community-driven security model helps ensure Firefox provides the safest possible online experience. Thousands of security experts and technical contributors from around the world examine and analyze the Firefox source code, uncover potential threats and vulnerabilities, and work together to quickly identify and address emerging threats. This open, distributed, innovative approach to security puts people’s interests first and delivers the safest Web experience possible.
Customization. No other browser can be customized like Firefox 2. With thousands of add-ons that enhance the browser’s functionality and features, Firefox lets users personalize their Web browsers to fit their interests and style.
For more information on Mozilla Firefox 2 and how it delivers an easier, faster and safer online experience, visit www.mozilla.com/firefox/features.html [2].
Mozilla Firefox 2 is available now as a free download from www.getfirefox.com [3].
Oh, and Microsoft released Internet Exploder 7 rather recently…hardly worth a mention really!
Samuel
Comments Disabled To "Firefox 2.0"
#1 Comment By Jey On October 26, 2006 @ 5:11 pm
Thanks for letting us know, Sam.
#2 Comment By Jey On October 29, 2006 @ 9:08 pm
Do you find this version is a little bit faster?
If you have broadband it probably wouldn’t be something that’s noticed, but I have dialup and it really seems that it’s faster.
I really don’t know how much influence a browser can have over speed though.
#3 Comment By Samuel On October 29, 2006 @ 9:17 pm
I’ll be honest…I’ve only upgraded one computer and it’s not the one I usually use. I’m waiting for Firefox to get the automatic update on my main computer as a matter of curiousity.
I can, however, assure you that Firefox 2.0 is faster than Internet Explorer 7, mainly due to the way each browser has implemented scam detection. Firefox grabs a list of known dodgy sites from Mozilla every now and then (probably more regularly than it sounds) and stores it on your computer, whilst Internet Explorer checks each website against Microsoft’s online listing. The latter takes longer, and has the effect of telling Microsoft (I don’t know whether or not they are keeping records) about each website you visit.
#4 Comment By Jey On October 30, 2006 @ 10:21 am
Good to know that I’m not imagining things.