Tech Olive

Firefox 4 is getting closer and closer to a final version, and since the 7th beta of Firefox 4 is complete as far as the features go, this 8th beta focuses on last-minute bug fixes and touch-ups. Hopefully we should see a release candidate of Mozilla’s new browser real soon and the final version thereafter, which would be a great way to start off the new year.

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It’s been a while since we’ve taken a survey of our readers on what web browser is the favorite amongst the majority. Now it’s that time again where you get to vote and throw in your thoughts on the ongoing browser wars.

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Hey-Oh! The first beta of the new Firefox 4 is up and ready for usage. It seemed like yesterday when Firefox 3.0 came about and already we’re seeing Firefox 4.0 at full beta throttle. Sadly, this first beta is Windows only. If you’re a Linux or Mac OS X user, sorry about your luck, but hopefully they’ll have something for you shortly.

EDIT: This first beta is out for all three platforms, but only Windows users get the new UI.

As always, use the beta version at your own risk. Most of your add-ons probably won’t work and you might encounter a few bugs here and there, but if you’re feeling ambitious, feel free to hit up the download link and let us know what you think!

[Download Firefox 4 Beta 1]

I’m a man of multiple browsers and I’m sure many of you are too. Sometimes Firefox doesn’t always cut it and I have to move over to Chrome for a while. A big downfall with using multiple browsers is that your saved passwords and bookmarks on your favorite browser aren’t with another browser that you might switch over to every once in a while. This becomes a huge pain in the rear end, but the guys over at Tested mention a quick and painless way to sync your bookmarks and saved passwords using Xmarks. This powerful, yet simple plugin can sync bookmarks, saved passwords, and even opened tabs over multiple browsers and even over multiple computers. The plugin currently works with Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari. We recommend you give it a try.

via [Tested]

Firefox Director Mike Beltzer presented his plan of the next big version of Mozilla’s browser, Firefox 4, on his personal website. According to the presentation, Mozilla will focus on simplifying the browser’s UI and make it easier to personalize and customize the browser. They’re also going to take some ideas out of Google Chrome’s book by putting the tabs above the address bar. Now, before you call copycat on Mozilla, both Opera (in 10.5) and Safari (4.0 beta) have done this.

For all the devs out there, Mozilla will improve support for HTML5, including CSS3, SMIL and CSS Transitions. Firefox 4 will also include more developer tools that can be used for debugging and analyzing webpages. The new version will also offer hardware-accelerated Direct2D rendering and obviously a faster JavaScript engine.

Mozilla’s plan is to start the beta program in late June with a release candidate in October and a final version shortly following. However, Beltzer made clear that this schedule is subject to change.

via [CNET]

After last week’s Pwn2Own browser-hacking competition, Google Chrome was the only one left standing. The rest were hacked to oblivion, including Firefox 3.6, where there was a little bit of a security flaw noticed. Mozilla was on that and released a 3.6.3 patch, which you’ll get automatically sometime soon (if you haven’t already been updated) or you can manually check for updates via the Help menu.

[Mozilla Links]

For those lazy Firefox slackers that still haven’t done themselves a favor and updated to 3.6, Mozilla will send out reminders to those running older versions that they have the option to update to the latest version, which includes many new, useful features.

Since its release back in January, Firefox 3.6 has been downloaded over 130 million times (at the time of this writing) and that’s not including automatic updates.

[Mozilla]

According to NetMarketshare.com, Google Chrome is slowly stealing the limelight from Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox. Chrome grew by 0.57-percent to claim 5.2-percent of the browser market share. On the other hand, IE fell by 0.51-percent and Firefox dropped 0.2-percent to end at 62.18- and 24.41-percent, respectively. Both Safari and Opera made little moves, changing by less than a tenth of a percent.

These are all just small changes, but it could be a spark that soon ignites a new browser war.

via [Mashable]

Well folks, it’s finally here after many delays. It’s been a long journey, so get your dose of the new Firefox here.

Now that that’s all taken care of, where’s 4.0? Come on Mozilla, hurry it up!

Also, join us after the break for a short video about all the new things you’ll find it Firefox 3.6

UPDATE: Firefox 3.6 Portable is now available. Get it here.

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According to Mozilla’s release schedule, Firefox 3.6 will be coming tomorrow, not the 26th like we thought. Come tomorrow at 9:30 AM PST, get that F5 key warmed up and ready to download the newest Firefox release.

via [Lifehacker]