Mozilla's mobile browser gets closer to prime time

Years ago, Mozilla introduced its mobile equivalent of Firefox, then-called Minimo. Minimo unfortunately largely died of boredom within Mozilla. In early 2008, however, Mozilla resurrected Minimo as Fennec, and the heavens rejoiced (though even the heavens couldn't get it installed on [Name your mobile device of choice]).

As recently announced by Mozilla, however, Fennec just hit its second alpha release, with the option to download and install the mobile browser on Mac, Linux, and Windows desktops for testing purposes. (If you want to install it on your mobile device, you're going to need to have a Nokia N810 device on which to install it.)

Alpha 2 has made significant improvements to Fennec's performance (e.g., Faster panning and zooming plus improved responsiveness while pages are loading) and ease-of-use (e.g., Bookmarks, tabbed browsing with thumbnails, etc.)

But Ars Technica picks up on one of the best new "features" of Fennec:

As Fennec development continues to move forward, the value and significance of having the complete Firefox stack in a mobile environment is becoming increasingly apparent. Developers have already started creating innovative add-ons for the new browser that increase its functionality in various ways. For example, the TwitterBar extension allows users to post to Twitter directly from the Fennec address bar. An early Fennec port of Mozilla's Weave framework is also underway.

Like Apple's iPhone rendition of Safari, Fennec may well prove to be most disruptive when replicating and extending the desktop experience in a mobile device. This is where open-source Fennec could leapfrog its proprietary competition, including the iPhone's Safari.

Just as Mozilla's desktop Firefox set the pace for what a desktop browser can be by tapping into a disparate, global community of hackers with their own assumptions as to what a browser should mean so, too, can Fennec become the mobile browser's innovation leader by letting users define the experience, not any single company.

Much as I love Apple, I almost never use its Safari browser. If Mozilla can get Fennec right, I suspect I won't be using Apple's iPhone browser, either.

[lmasanti]

quote:
"If Mozilla can get Fennec right, I suspect I won't be using Apple's iPhone browser, either."

As a "app that executes downloaded code," I think that you won't be able to use it in the iPhone. (The same reason why you cannot use Flash or Java.)

[lightningrob]

Doesn't Safari already "execute downloaded code" when it runs javascript?

[aka_tripleB]

You do know Apple won't initially allow this in the App Store, because the iPhone already has Safari that performs the same function. Then Apple WILL get hit with an anti-competitive lawsuit and ultimately lose (it would be more obvious the Microsoft's IE debacle. Apple actually prevents you from installing programs). Then the flood gates will be open and you'll get all kinds of useless and good (and bad) programs, because Apple will no longer get to pick and choose what you can buy.

[MSSlayer]

What iPhone app doesn't "execute downloaded code,"?

[myles taylor]

Well I use Firefox and Safari and while I love the whole concept, I really like certain features in Safari. I hope that a mobile browser of Firefox comes out soon though and is better. I hope that Firefox gets more and more features and totally kick safari's butt. ;) Better for me that way.

[jumpjetta]

Apple isn't going to allow a competing browser on the phone, especially one that it can't secure. The very reason you'd want a Firefox-like browser on the iPhone -- plug-ins -- is the reason it'll not make it there.

[Penguinisto]

Apple (like everyone else) will have full access to the source code, which means that Apple can secure it at any time.

...next? ;)

[Marchioly_Torma]

Fennec isn't going to make much headroom unless it gets onto the iPhone.

With Mozilla's popularity, I wonder if they can push Apple to accept it onto the App Store.

[chrisfrary]

i hope there is an adblock type addon. Especially for paying up the ass for very limited data plans. Could end up saving money.

[Jyakotu]

I'd rather use the Opera Mini browser. It's fast, simple, and elegant.