Design ideas show Firefox 4.0 with a Chrome look

This Firefox 4.0 mockup shows a very Chrome-like interface.

(Credit: Mozilla)

Mozilla has released mockups that show how Firefox 4.0 conceivably might look, and two words spring to my mind: Google Chrome.

Last week, Mozilla showed some mockups for the nearer-term Firefox 3.7 that eliminated the browser's title bar, replacing it with two drop-down menu buttons on the right, just like Chrome has had since its September 2008 debut. The Firefox 4.0 mockups show two options, one similar to the 3.7 ideas, and the other taking another step in the Chrome direction.

Specifically, the second Firefox 4.0 mockup shows the browser tabs on top where once there was a window title bar. That's the same approach that Google picked with Chrome, a view of which you can see below.

Mozilla is looking for comment on the designs, which, the browser developer takes pains to note, are "for brainstorming/exploration" and aren't final.

Of the "more contentious Tabs-on-Top concept," Mozilla says advantages include that it saves vertical space and removes visual complexity. On the flip side, it's different, and moving user interface elements confuses people. Also on the negative side, the missing title bar means people see only a truncated Web page title in the tab.

For Firefox, putting tabs on top meshes conceptually with Electrolysis, aka Content Processes, an under-the-covers change that will make each tab a separate computing process. That carries potential performance, stability, and security advantages, but requires more memory.

The Firefox 4.0 mockups also show a combination button to the right of the address bar that changes behavior depending on what the browser is up to. The button can be used to start loading a page whose address has been typed, to stop loading if it's in the process of doing so, and to reload it if it's finished loading.

An example of Chrome's latest interface.

(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

[tipoo_]

That image on top looks pretty slick, actualy.

[Mr. Dee]

An obvious mock up though, because the search button is from OS X, not Windows Vista/7 which the mock up is supposed to be based on. The Address bar needs some simplicity too.

[ca5ter]

I have cracker crumbs in my pocket. I think I'll bookmark them for later.

[ckh1272]

"by Mr. Dee July 27, 2009 4:42 PM PDT
An obvious mock up though, because the search button is from OS X, not Windows Vista/7 which the mock up is supposed to be based on. The Address bar needs some simplicity too."

And they couldn't possibly just replicate that search button now could they?? Pure genius <sarcasm>.

[twolf2919]

I guess I'm one of the few people that hasn't actually tried Chrome (probably due to Chrome not being available on Linux initially), but isn't having this minimal title bar (in the snapshot it doesn't disappear entirely) make it harder to move the browser window around?

[CuttlefishTech]

Under Windows when maximized there is absolutely no title bar. However, when running in normal free-floating mode, the Chrome window gains title bar space equal to the height of the OS's native window controls. Chrome provides a fair bit more room to click and drag than this Firefox mockup does.

[Shankland]

It's no trouble for me to click and drag, but mostly I run my browser windows fully maximized so it's not something I do often. When I do, there's also plenty of grabbable real estate toward the upper right side. Your mileage may vary.

[jemiller0]

I don't like it when apps try change the UI around like this. All Windows apps have a title bar. It's confusing for them not to have a title bar. I think they should focus on security instead of useless changes to the UI.

[jemiller0]

Furthermore, Chrome on XP looks like Vista. In my opinion, it should look like the environment that it's running in.

[Meek-29]

Anyone thinks Opera when he looks at that top picture ?
I do, and it make me sad

[jeromey.shannon]

hahahahaha. What a blatant rip-off.
Chrome is great. It's interface is what got me onto it. It's fast and minimalistic, like most of Google's designs. I actually uninstalled Firefox after Chrome got out of it's buggy start and started working on 64-bit systems. I think Mozilla is a little scared.

[ArchKaine]

Are you aware that Google Chrome is written using Mozilla code as a base? If not, I suggest you read up on it before you call it a rip-off. Also, consider that Google resubmits code to the main Mozilla Firefox code base. Get your facts straight before you rant about things you're not fully aware of.

[Mergatroid Mania]

I think he's refering to the rip off being the look, not the code.

Google has come up with a certain look for Chrome. One I personally am not fond of, and I hope to heck that Mozilla does not go copying that look for FF.

Skins are the way to go so people can make it look however they want.

[mattyc09]

@ ArchKaine I could be mistaken, but IIRC Chrome is off the Webkit base and its own stuff while Firefox is based off Gecko. So if it was "ripping off" anyone there it would be Apple's Safari, but that would be a huge stretch since its just both using Webkit.

Also I would imagine he was talking about the design, not the code base anyway...

[Shankland]

@ArchKaine: Chrome employs the WebKit rendering engine (also the basis of Safari) and Google's own V8 JavaScript engine. It's not based on Mozilla.

[pentest]

mmmmm Chrome, just what I need, more spyware.

[El_Segfaulto]

In some way, every redesign is going to rip off some look. The developers of Chrome obviously found a good UI and of course others are going to use their discoveries. I would love Chrome if only there was a simple way to get AdBlock. Until then I'm sticking with Firefox.

[queticomn]

Just remember all Thank the KDE team for getting webkit off the ground.

The code that would become Webkit began in 1998 as the KDE project?s HTML layout engine KHTML and KDE's JavaScript engine (KJS).

Cant wait to try KDE 4.3 on Linux.

[FF2009]

looks freaking cool...better than Chrome design for sure.!

[the Otter]

That shot of Chrome is actually halfway decent. Not great, mind you, but halfway decent. The Firefox shot, though, is just plain ugly?must like Firefox has always been.

Of course, Safari 4 beta also had tabs on top and ditched them in the GM because they sucked, but that?s primarily because Apple?s implementation was uncharacteristically lousy.

[albertsoler]

Does anyone else see the trend towards more of the browser's screen being dedicated to actual content?

Toolbar developers should take note:

"We hates toolbars! They takes up too much screen!"

(As Smeagol would put it.)

[Mergatroid Mania]

I'm fine with the little tiny amount of screen realistate the menubar takes up at the top of the screen.

Just what do you think you're going to fit in that little tiny space that's so important? I also like being able to SEE the options I use right in front of me without having to go looking for them. If you don't like them, then remove them. Most browsers have that ability.

I would rather waste screen realistate (as you say) than waste my time looking for functions I use or need.

[james0071st]

If you want more content to be shown in you browser, I would invest in a BIGGER monitor. Unless you're one of those types who shuns desktops in favor of the laptop or netbook.. If that's the case then you just have to deal with it. Life sucks, get a helmet.

[SteveMcQwark]

Its more about screen clutter than actual space. Your eyes scan the screen as you work. The more clutter there is, the longer it takes for your brain to process what you are seeing. A minimal UI makes it easier to focus on what you are doing.

[srosenblatt]

Just out of curiosity, does anybody find the titlebar useful anymore?

[albertsoler]

Not since tabs were introduced.

[empirestatebuddy]

I like a Title bar. In an emergency, it's nice to know where to go. Although, admittedly, I don't use it much. Maybe one should be able to toggle it on or off.

[baconstang]

Since I started using tabbed browsing it's become redundant.

[ddesy]

Even with tabs, I still like the titlebar. It provides a handy reference to the current page being displayed, especially when the browser is minimized.

[Seaspray0]

Yes, for me. But I also end up having to do alot of configuring on other people's browsers in a corporate environment. Even at home, I have no complaints about the title bar... it's still a quick way to access the underpinnings of the browser when changes are wanted.

[SX10 IS]

Need the title bar

[Mergatroid Mania]

Don't do it Mozilla team! Do you know how many of us have not downloaded Chrome because we're happy with Firefox the way it is? Please do not move or remove the menu bar, I use it ALL the time!

Don't copy some other browsers look! We Firefox fans don't use chrome for a reason (a few actually), one of them being that we're happy with how FF looks!

A better idea would be to allow people to use skins. We could then make FF look how ever we want it to look, and those of us who are happy with the current look can keep it the way it is. Those people who think the way a browser looks should be their deciding factor in which browser they use can down-load a skin to make it look like MSIE for all I care!

I for one am tired of having to hunt for the common functions I use every time I update my software!

Don't jump on the bandwagon and just copy the look of someone elses software the way other companies do (ahem...MS).

After all, if you make it like Chrome, then why shouldn't we just use Chrome if we want that look?

Would you buy a Mustang if it looked exactly like a Toyota Corolla or would you just buy the Corolla?

[Shankland]

If any browser is customizable, it's Firefox. I'm sure that even if Firefox offers this as the default option for 4.0 (and don't hold your breath for that arriving) there will be some option to use the older interface or some extension to restore it. So I wouldn't panic.

[phalco]

I agree completely. I tried Chrome but did not care for the bland,sterile appearance. And as far as the 2 tenths of a second faster that Chrome claims to load pages--so what? I am old enough to remember when it took days and possibly weeks to find and research the kind of material that is available almost instantly today.So,Firefox ,just keep on keeping on--we love it just as it is.

[24notcen]

very funny that comparison and true !!! i tried google chrome , after 5 minutes i went back to firefox , goo.chr. is completly a nude browser with ******* !!

[selfkill]

I agree with the OP. Hopefully if the devs are smart they will make these interface changes a skin with the "old" skin we're all used to available as well. I stopped using Internet Explorer over Firefox long ago because I could customize Firefox's interface and the functionality the way I wanted to. If this is forced down our throats we might as well all start using Chrome or Opera. I don't just want another "me too!" browser, I want the plain old Firefox I'm used to.

[dwinks]

Seriously, what's with the negative comments? The only redeeming aspect of Chrome is it's minimalist title bar. I'd love to have the extra 20 pixels of space that Chrome gives me in Firefox. Sure, it's a "rip off" but then again, so is tabbed browsing, and address bar, etc etc. If it's a good idea (not needlessly wasting screen space is always a good idea), then implement it.

The first thing I do on every Firefox I use is install a mod to auto-hide the file menu, then rearrange the other bars to fit everything on the navigation bar, etc. I guess some people like having to scroll over and over and over and over every page they visit, I sure don't.

[albertsoler]

Yeah. The "Next' button always seems to be 20 pixels below the bottom of the screen.

[quirK]

Wow, so much exaggeration. Being anonymous on the web sure has its perks.

[d4nowar]

Very funny. Soon I can choose Mozilla Chrome or Google Chrome!

[tbbabq]

Today is the age of new technology, it is time for change and advancements.....People aren't willing to part from past layouts and enhancements, they would rather stick with old title and menu bars.....it is in most cases in our human nature to stick with familiarity and not change, most of us are scared of present changes and we are not willing to move on to bigger and better things, well since today is the age of new technology, I think it is great that Mozilla is willing to change what is old and turning it into the new, I actually like the new layout that they have shown here, I say go for it Mozilla....your new layout of your browser looks nice, practical and sleek....I say make these changes.

[pentest]

There is no new tech here. There is nothing tech-y about layouts.

[quirK]

Yeah, theme authors, compile these changes into a nifty theme for tbbabq to use!

I see they've copied Internet Explorer's idiotic placement of the reload button far away from every other navigational button. Firefox just continues to get worse. I'm glad Opera still rocks as much as it always has.

[Shankland]

Bear in mind these are mock-ups and there were several ideas presented. Like or dislike the mockups as you wish, but they are designs meant to provoke discussion, not the final look.

[orlandorr]

Nooo! Not the title bar and the search field!!! :O

[redwall_hp]

What do they think they're doing? There's no menu bar! It's a basic UI feature that's been proven to work well. It's idiotic to put it under a Chrome-style button to the right of the location field.

[ddesy]

The removal of the menu bar, a long term staple of the GUI, seems to be a common thing these days. Instead of nice, simply text menus everyone is pushing more and more graphics. I've always dreaded the day this happens.

Hopefully this idea gets left behind when they actually get past the mock-ups.

[ayeng98]

HAH? Mozilla 4.0? just downloaded and upgraded to Mozilla 3.5 now theyre talking Mozilla 4.0 OMG turnover rate for browser tech nowadays are so fast that you cant hardly cope up!

it all boils down to little tweek here and there and voila new version of a browser!

[knowles2]

From what I understand 4.0 will not be out until middle of 2010 at the earliest, probably more like 2011 given the delays we have to endure for 3.5

[ArnoldKristopher]

I think this looks very nice!
I am actually pretty excited for this. I like when the browsers look simplistic and yet you know it will
still be pretty great/complex/customizable, considering it's Firefox.

[Smoaky]

I like Firefox GUI just the was it is thank you !!!!!
Now if 4.0 will give us all the themes then I might consider installing FF 4.0
If it is going to wind up looking like Chrome which IMHO looks like something out of the 70's then I will pass and go with something more modern looking like...OPERA??

[ibelieve01]

That picture is almost a complete ripoff of Opera 10......not so much Chrome.

[a_flores]

Yes, you are right, except that Opera 10 keeps the title bar and does not have omnibar.

[dburr13]

I like being able to see the menu bar all the time...I don't like having functions hidden for aesthetic purpose...Putting form over function can go too far...I don't use Chrome and i don't use Opera or IE either...Making Firefox more like them will not make me happy...

[FF2009]

I like the menu bar visible too.....and I don't like the tabs on top like Chrome does.