Mozilla's latest version of its Firefox browser comes with new features focused on privacy, accessibility and customization. Before Google Chrome became the runaway leader among web browsers on desktops and mobile, Firefox was taking over from Internet Explorer as the browser of choice for most internet users. The first beta version of Firefox was released 20 years ago in 2002, and as of 2022, it is the fourth-most popular browser on desktops after Chrome, Edge and Safari. Firefox is widely considered to be one of the best browsers for privacy-conscious users and has taken the lead in rolling out several privacy-oriented features.
Firefox is a free and open-source (FOSS) web browser developed and marketed by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation. It is available on all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and more. It is also available for various Unix and Unix-like operating systems, including FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, Illumos, and Solaris. Firefox is also bundled as the default browser in many Linux distros and underpins other privacy-focused browsers, such as the TOR Browser.
The highlight feature in Firefox 106 is the 'View' feature that lets users check up to 25 recently closed tabs within each window. It also has a sync mode that allows users to see the last three active tabs that were opened on other devices. Firefox View is currently available only on desktops, with no word on when it will be available on mobile devices.
New Features In Firefox 106
Another notable new feature in the latest version of Firefox is a new private browsing shortcut that can be pinned to the desktop to make it easy to open up a Private Browsing window. Until now, the private browsing mode could only be accessed by clicking on the hamburger menu in the top-right corner of a Firefox window or by right-clicking the Firefox icon on the Windows taskbar. Additionally, Mozilla has also given the private browsing mode some design updates, including a new logo and an automatic dark theme that the company says will help users more easily differentiate between standard and private modes.
Firefox now also has a couple of new productivity features, including a PDF editor shortcut with access to direct editing capabilities. Thanks to the new feature, users can fill in PDF forms and documents directly within the browser and add their signatures before printing. There's also a text recognition feature for users of macOS 10.15 and higher. According to Mozilla, the feature will allow users to copy any text from images (like memes or screenshots, for example), so that they can share it without having to manually retype it. Finally, Firefox also gets a limited edition Colorways and wallpapers collection designed by streetwear and sneaker designer Keely Alexis, best known for her work on Nike's Air Jordans.
Source: Mozilla