Mozilla releases Firefox 3.5 beta
Mozilla on Monday released beta 3.5 of Firefox, a revamp of the open-source Web browser designed to include better performance, several new Web programming features, and a private browsing mode.
The earlier betas had been numbered 3.1, but Mozilla switched to the version 3.5 name after concluding the changes were more significant than it envisioned earlier. Mozilla has said earlier the fourth beta will the last, with more polished release candidates expected before the final version of Firefox 3.5 is released. You can download Firefox 3.5 beta 4 from CNET Download.com for Windows and Mac.
The software emerges amid what's become a fiercely competitive browser market. Microsoft has released a significant new version, Internet Explorer 8, while Google has entered the market with Chrome and Apple is trying to secure a Windows foothold for its Safari browser. Firefox holds second place in market share to IE.
Among the changes compared with the current Firefox 3.0.x versions are the faster TraceMonkey engine for running Web sites' JavaScript programs; built-in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) technology for exchanging data between servers and browsers; support for tags to describe audio and video content the way images have been available for years; the private browsing mode for leaving no traces on your computer while surfing; support for technology to let permitted applications know the user's location; and support for the Web workers standard for letting a browser perform processing in the background without holding back a Web application's user interface.
There are a number of known problems with Gmail and with AVG SafeSearch v8.0 on Windows, and as usual, many of those extensions that are so popular on Firefox could break. For details, check the release notes.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
good for you
I have 73 addons and about 7 tabs open constantly, and even when I am running Firefox and WoW simultaneously I have no problems with it.
anyhow, I'm definitely waiting for so called Private Browsing! And addons get compatible super fast so its not a big deal!
= )
not to mention 90% of Browser innovation comes from the little company !
Firefox all the way!
i have tested firefox 3.5beta4 using iMac / mac os x ver10.4.11 / 2.1 GHz PPC G5 / 512 MB so far
speed been double than the previous release...
and its twice faster than Safari Version 3.2.1 (4525.27.1)
i hope the competition gets better so that i wont worry about the load time of most heavily scripted site... im happy with the innovation... for firefox
I currently do.
Firefox, Chrome, Opera, IE6, IE 7.
Granted Firefox, Chrome and Opera are easy to write common code for, there have been a minor number of differences. We haven't even begun looking at IE8.
What are these power and usability that you keep talking about that IE8 is supposed to have AND that Firefox seems to lack???
considering that you do agree that Firefox is faster - although Chrome is the fastest BUT speed is not the reason that Makes Firefox the best Browser!
Now the thing I'm surprised about is that Mozilla hasn't taken some of the useful add-ons like Tabs Mix Plus and All-in-one sidebar and had them put in Firefox itself. To many addons does slow down the browser a little bit but if they put some key featrues from TMP and AIOS it will speed up the browser a bit. I would say also add ABP and no script but I don't think they would do that since they get rid of adds.
I hear Chrome will allow ABP and no script addons on their browser, but I think they said its ok only if it doesn't block Google adds...thats just a guess.
Also, what do you do in IE? Firefox has way more "power and usability" than IE. It also installs faster, is safer, doesn't have as many bugs, and my favorite - Add-Ons!
Try going to oleytroop569.org in Firefox and then try it in IE - the IE version of that website sucks, but it looks great in Firefox!
I know many people like the add-ons for Firefox, and I've used them as well. So, if that's what you like, hell yea, use Firefox. Although IE8 does have many new features that have so far blown Firefox clear out of the water.
I don't know how some other people claim Firefox starts faster. Maybe Firefox 3 vs. IE7. Anyhow, I'm not bashing Firefox or IE. I've rarely had any trouble with either. Upgrading to 4 gigs of RAM helped I'm sure.
ya its definitely the addons, but the other reason that i use Firefox is that
1. No active x (not much to say here)
2. easier JavaScript control (preventing websites from changing the browser window, context menu, etc)
3. Super customizable (Add/Remove/Move navigation buttons and stuff)
but ya cant live without my (Quick Drag, Answers, Link alert, tab mix, Google preview, Mediaplayerconnectivity, Themes & like 10+ more addons)
But for emergency browsing purposes, eg e-mail that I am expecting and using facebook and internet forums, Opera is my choice.
IE has only one purpose for me: getting microsoft updates.
**waits for the RC**
- by ofmyony April 28, 2009 1:29 PM PDT
- In this new Firefox beta I have noticed that the pointers spinning circle is gone. I noticed pages loading but no spinning circle. Is this new? I hope so, the spinning circle is annoying.
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- by Silr J May 9, 2009 3:06 AM PDT
- are you referring to that vista spinning blue circle thingy?
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(44 Comments)I agree that the increased speed is great. I have yet to wait before scrolling down a web page. I hope the results I have experienced so far will not change much over time, I like this new beta so far.