Mozilla the first trial release of the Firefox Preview browser, developed under the codename Fenix and targeted at initial testing by interested enthusiasts. The release is distributed through the directory , and the code is available at . After stabilizing the project and implementing all planned functionalities, the browser will replace the current version of Firefox for Android, with the release of new updates ceasing starting from the September release of Firefox 69 (only corrective updates for the ESR branch of Firefox 68 will be published).
Firefox Preview The GeckoView engine, built on Firefox Quantum technologies, and the set of libraries , which are already being used to build browsers and . GeckoView is a variant of the Gecko engine presented as a separate library that can be updated independently, and Android Components includes libraries with standard components that ensure the operation of tabs, input autocompletion, search suggestions, and other browser features.
Key features of Firefox Preview:
- High performance: Firefox Preview is up to twice as fast as the classic Firefox for Android. Performance enhancements are achieved through optimizations applied during the compilation stage based on profiling results (PGO - Profile-guided optimization) and by incorporating the IonMonkey JIT compiler for 64-bit ARM systems. In addition to the ARM builds, GeckoView is now also being compiled for x86_64 systems;
- Enabled by default are protections against tracking and various parasitic activities;
- A universal menu that allows access to settings, the library (favorites, history, downloads, recently closed tabs), selection of site display mode (displaying the desktop version of the site), text search on the page, switching to private mode, opening a new tab, and navigating between pages;
- A multifunctional address bar with a universal button for quickly performing operations such as sending links to another device and adding sites to the favorites list.
Clicking on the address bar launches a fullscreen hint mode that offers relevant input options based on browsing history and search engine recommendations; - Use of the collections concept instead of tabs, allowing users to save, group, and share favorite websites.
After closing the browser, remaining open tabs are automatically grouped into a collection that can later be viewed and restored; - The homepage features an address bar combined with global search functionality, displaying a list of open tabs or, if no pages are open, a list of sessions grouping previously opened sites based on browser sessions.
Source: opennet.ru
