Since the beta of Firefox 29 launched earlier this year, Mozilla fans have been rushing to test out the new web browser. With Firefox 29 now out in its final release version, it's clear why, with Mozilla having added a host of improvements that make the browser on paper one of the most advanced and flexible currently available.
User interface
Firefox 29 features a completely redesigned user interface designed to help users browse the web more efficiently.
The most obvious changes include the the bookmark manager's move to be next to the bookmark star in the Firefox toolbar, the migration of the Firefox menu button to the right corner of the toolbar and a redesigned home page that gives you one-click access to key functions such as "Downloads", "Bookmarks" and "Add-ons".
Past this, Firefox 29 also features a number of more subtle changes that, while small, make using the browser more pleasant. One of the biggest of these is the new tab page, which automatically displays thumbnails of frequently visited sites.
Firefox 29 also adds a new Customise option that lets users tweak the browser's interface by manually dragging and dropping commonly used features into the UI.
Synchronisation
Firefox 29 adds Mozilla's reworked Firefox Sync service. The new synchronisation feature is similar to that seen on Google Chrome and requires users to set up a Firefox Account. The account stores and synchronises information from various Firefox services like bookmarks, history, and any open tabs across any device the user is logged into.
Add-ons and extras
As well as its reworked interface, Firefox 29 adds several useful under the hood technical upgrades. These include the ability to open and read PDF files without having to install a third-party add-on, as well as new WebRTC framework support. The WebRTC framework adds direct support for in-browser audio and video chats.
Firefox 29 also features all the standard essential features including a powerful search bar, pop-up blocker, integrated web search functionality and RSS feed reader.
Security and privacy
Outside of Firefox 29's productivity upgrades, Mozilla's also worked hard to improve the browser's security and privacy services. Firefox 29 features a new private browsing tab option, which offers similar services to Google Chrome's "incognito" mode. The option opens up a private tab that doesn't save any browser or search activity carried out in it.
The browser also includes options that will instruct Firefox 29 to block known malicious sites and alert its user if it detects nefarious activity, like an add-on or site instructing it to do something like change the default search provider without permission. Firefox 29 can also be set up to block outdated web plugins such as Flash and Java from opening content, reducing the users' chance of being hit by hackers targeting older exploits in the services.
Overall
Our opening time with Firefox 29 has been positive. Featuring a significantly more user-friendly, customisable interface and variety of under the hood productivity and security upgrades, Firefox 29 is a solid choice for any web user. However, with many of the features already having appeared on competing browsers, like Google Chrome, some users may struggle to find any reason to jump ship to Firefox.
User interface
Firefox 29 features a completely redesigned user interface designed to help users browse the web more efficiently.
The most obvious changes include the the bookmark manager's move to be next to the bookmark star in the Firefox toolbar, the migration of the Firefox menu button to the right corner of the toolbar and a redesigned home page that gives you one-click access to key functions such as "Downloads", "Bookmarks" and "Add-ons".
Past this, Firefox 29 also features a number of more subtle changes that, while small, make using the browser more pleasant. One of the biggest of these is the new tab page, which automatically displays thumbnails of frequently visited sites.
Firefox 29 also adds a new Customise option that lets users tweak the browser's interface by manually dragging and dropping commonly used features into the UI.
Synchronisation
Firefox 29 adds Mozilla's reworked Firefox Sync service. The new synchronisation feature is similar to that seen on Google Chrome and requires users to set up a Firefox Account. The account stores and synchronises information from various Firefox services like bookmarks, history, and any open tabs across any device the user is logged into.
Add-ons and extras
As well as its reworked interface, Firefox 29 adds several useful under the hood technical upgrades. These include the ability to open and read PDF files without having to install a third-party add-on, as well as new WebRTC framework support. The WebRTC framework adds direct support for in-browser audio and video chats.
Firefox 29 also features all the standard essential features including a powerful search bar, pop-up blocker, integrated web search functionality and RSS feed reader.
Security and privacy
Outside of Firefox 29's productivity upgrades, Mozilla's also worked hard to improve the browser's security and privacy services. Firefox 29 features a new private browsing tab option, which offers similar services to Google Chrome's "incognito" mode. The option opens up a private tab that doesn't save any browser or search activity carried out in it.
The browser also includes options that will instruct Firefox 29 to block known malicious sites and alert its user if it detects nefarious activity, like an add-on or site instructing it to do something like change the default search provider without permission. Firefox 29 can also be set up to block outdated web plugins such as Flash and Java from opening content, reducing the users' chance of being hit by hackers targeting older exploits in the services.
Overall
Our opening time with Firefox 29 has been positive. Featuring a significantly more user-friendly, customisable interface and variety of under the hood productivity and security upgrades, Firefox 29 is a solid choice for any web user. However, with many of the features already having appeared on competing browsers, like Google Chrome, some users may struggle to find any reason to jump ship to Firefox.
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