Firefox 5 beta released for desktop, mobile
May 23, 2011 by Katie Gatto
(PhysOrg.com) -- The beta version of Firefox 5, a popular cross-platform web browser, now has release versions ready for both the desktop and the mobile browser user groups. The beta does not have many noticeable differences from the current version of the browser, Firefox 4, aside from the introduction of the channel changer feature and the move of Do Not Track to users privacy settings.
While you may not be able to see the changes in the beta version visually in the browser, this new version does represent two serious upgrades to the browser. The first is to fix the list of bugs the end users found in the current version of the software. The second is to allow for a higher level of support for different types of programming languages and tools such as: HTML5, MathML, SMIL, and CSS animations.
Now, lets take a look at the new features that you would be getting with the beta. The channel changer allows you to switch back and forth between the different versions of the software without putting in a separate installer. So, if you do not like this version you can go back and get the old one without an uninstall and reinstall.
The second issue is the opt-in Do Not Track feature. In the version 5 beta this feature is also being added to the mobile browser. At the first glance it seems like a really cool feature for browsing in stealth mode, but it is worth bearing in mind that this system will not keep you hidden if the sites that you visit do not have the ability to recognize the header code that this feature sends out. So, consider it at best mixed browsing.
The beta will be short lived, since the full version is expected to launch on June 21st.
More information: Firefox 5 release notes
© 2010 PhysOrg.com
-
From lemons to lemonade: Reaction uses carbon dioxide to make carbon-based semiconductor,
32 comments
-
Thioridazine kills cancer stem cells in human while avoiding toxic side-effects of conventional cancer treatments,
3 comments
-
SpaceX private rocket blasts off for space station (Update),
42 comments
-
Climate scientists say they have solved riddle of rising sea,
31 comments
-
Research team claims to have found evidence Lake Cheko is impact crater for Tunguska Event,
18 comments
-
Need a rigid insulation material???
9 hours ago
-
magnets or EMF in car bumpers to protect from fender bender
May 26, 2012
-
length of wire in a coil of known dimensions?
May 25, 2012
-
India Engineering Powerhouse
May 25, 2012
-
electromagnet core dereference between hard and soft iron
May 25, 2012
-
Measuring water pressure in an open tank
May 24, 2012
- More from Physics Forums - General Engineering
More news stories
Browser wars flare in mobile space
The browser wars are heating up again, but this time the fight is for dominance of the mobile Internet.
1 hour ago |
5 / 5 (1) |
1
SpotterRF debuts Radar Backpack Kit (w/ Video)
(Phys.org) -- SpotterRF has announced a special radar backpack kit designed to enhance situational awareness for soldiers on the ground. The company says its special radar is designed for warfighters as part ...
Probability of contamination from severe nuclear reactor accidents is higher than expected: study
Catastrophic nuclear accidents such as the core meltdowns in Chernobyl and Fukushima are more likely to happen than previously assumed. Based on the operating hours of all civil nuclear reactors and the number ...
Technology / Energy & Green Tech
May 22, 2012 |
3.6 / 5 (21) |
56
|
HyperSolar shows dirty water no barrier to power world
(Phys.org) -- The Santa Barbara, California, company, HyperSolar, is set to transparently share the ups and downs of its research experiences toward the companys ultimate vision, successfully producing ...
Tesla to launch electric sedan in US on June 22
Tesla Motors said Tuesday it would begin deliveries of "the world's first premium electric sedan" on June 22, slightly ahead of schedule.
Technology / Energy & Green Tech
May 22, 2012 |
4.5 / 5 (11) |
18
Nvidia trumpets Tegra 3 phone design wins for 2012
(Phys.org) -- Nvidias competitive war paint has a name, Tegra 3. On the heels of Nvidia announcements about lowering costs of its Tegra 3 processors and Nvidia-enabled tablets running Android Ice Cream ...
Scientist: Evolution debate will soon be history
(AP) -- Richard Leakey predicts skepticism over evolution will soon be history. Not that the avowed atheist has any doubts himself.
Dell tablet leak: 10.1-inch display, two-battery choice
(Phys.org) -- Headline after headline talks about vendors tablets in the wings as likely number-one contenders for the iPad. Such claims have justifiably been taken with a grain of salt, considering ...
SpaceX capsule has 'new car' smell, astronauts say (Update)
SpaceX's Dragon cargo vessel smells like a new car, said astronauts at the International Space Station after opening the hatches Saturday following the spacecraft's landmark mission to the orbiting lab.
Thousands of shellfish found dead in Peru
Thousands of crustaceans were found dead off the coast of Lima following the mystery mass death of dolphins and pelicans, the Peruvian Navy said Friday.
Australia hails surprise super-telescope decision
Australia has hailed a surprise decision giving it a role in a radio telescope project aimed at revolutionising astronomy, vowing to draw on its decades of experience in space science.
May 23, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
May 23, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (25)
May 23, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Well, Firefox does not crash on my pc, ever. try disabling your add-on one at a time to see if the problem comes from one of them. There used to be a way to start firefox in safe mode ( where no add-on is loaded ) but I don't see this option anymore. Even if it is not one of the add-on, I am pretty sure it's another piece of software and not firefox.
Jun 01, 2011
Rank: not rated yet