Mobile Firefox (Fennec) Gets Official Beta

Category: Mobile
Posted: March 18, 2009 04:10PM
Author: jammin

It was around this time last year that we first heard that Mozilla would be working on a version of its Firefox web browser for mobile phones. Back then it was hoped that we might see the browser appearing on devices by the end of 2008. Though that obviously hasn't happened, Mozilla has just released Fennec beta 1, which you can install on your phone, providing you happen to own a Nokia N810 (currently the only supported phone platform). You can also download a version for desktop PCs should you still want to experiment with the browser that way. Naturally the user interface for the new browser differs quite a bit from the Firefox you are used to, in order make it usable on much smaller screens. However, there are still familiar features that let you know where the browser's origins lie. For example, navigation and search revolve around a screen incorporating a version of the Firefox 3 smart location (or "awesome") bar.

Navigating web content itself makes the most of your mobile's screen real estate by hiding tools and controls such as bookmarks until you want to use them. Bringing up these controls is achieved by panning "past content" to either side of the screen and gives you access to tabs, browser controls such as back and forward buttons along with a button to access further settings. You'll also be happy to know that flash video such as YouTube works in the browser (how smoothly, we don't know). Browser add-ons are also present, a smart move considering it is a large reason why so many use Firefox on their desktops.

You can view a quick run through of the browser with the user experience lead for Fennec, Madhava Enros on Vimeo. If you happen to have a Nokia N810 and have been trying out Fennec for yourself, we would love to hear about your experiences (particularly with regard to flash performance).