Mozilla Releases Firefox 3.5

MacRumors · Jun 30, 2009, 12:18 PM

Mozilla today released Firefox 3.5, a significant upgrade to the world's second-most popular Internet browser. Webmonkey summarizes some of the more important advances in the latest version, including speed enhancements, support for HTML 5, geolocation services, search improvements, and the addition of a private browsing mode.

Quote:

Originally envisioned as a quick follow-up to 2008's release of Firefox 3.0, Mozilla ended up packing in quite a few extra features into its flagship browser and spent months making sure that Firefox 3.5 was the fastest, most powerful Firefox yet.

Firefox 3.5 brings with it entirely new and much faster rendering engines for both static web pages and the JavaScript code that powers today's complex web-based applications. There are new privacy features, new capabilities for playing video and audio files and improved search tools. There are also a handful of other new features that should prove useful for both Firefox devotees and newcomers alike.

Firefox 3.5 is available for OS X (10.4 or later), Windows, and Linux and is available in nearly 75 languages.

Article Link: Mozilla Releases Firefox 3.5

Andy-V · Jun 30, 2009, 12:20 PM

Nice update. Been using the RC for a while.

flapperdink · Jun 30, 2009, 12:22 PM

nice. i recently switched to safari 4 at home because it was faster. hopefully FF3.5 is just as fast...i got very used to FF at work and would go back in a hearbeat at home if it was as fast as safari.

SolRayz · Jun 30, 2009, 12:22 PM

Have they smoothed out the scrolling on 3.5? I like Firefox but the ultra smooth scrolling in Safari keeps me from switching.

kirky29 · Jun 30, 2009, 12:23 PM

Still slow for me.

Safari is king.

FF_productions · Jun 30, 2009, 12:25 PM

Firefox 3.5 is fast as hell...wow, I'd like to see some benchmarks..

ALUOp · Jun 30, 2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF_productions

Firefox 3.5 is fast as hell...wow, I'd like to see some benchmarks..

Try this one.
One of my machines went from 4050ms to 1152ms.
Another one from 2541ms to 951ms.
And it feels much faster in real life too.

http://www2.webkit.org/perf/sunspide...sunspider.html

GimmeSlack12 · Jun 30, 2009, 12:25 PM

So long Safari 4.0, you're fun but you don't switch tabs as easily as Firefox. Safari just doesn't seem as solid as Firefox, I know that's a very scientific fact, but I just am not as comfortable with Safari.

Seriously, if Safari would switch tabs by Cmd-1, 2, 3... it would be tough for me to go back to Firefox (any tips are welcome).

SCMaverick · Jun 30, 2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GimmeSlack12

So long Safari 4.0, you're fun but you don't switch tabs as easily as Firefox. Safari just doesn't seem as solid as Firefox, I know that's a very scientific fact, but I just am not as comfortable with Safari.

Seriously, if Safari would switch tabs by Cmd-1, 2, 3... it would be tough for me to go back to Firefox (any tips are welcome).

Use glims. You can switch between tabs with the , and . buttons. Much easier than the Cmd 1,2,3 scenario.

It also has a lot of other pretty great features too.

Reaperducer · Jun 30, 2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GimmeSlack12

So long Safari 4.0, you're fun but you don't switch tabs as easily as Firefox. Safari just doesn't seem as solid as Firefox, I know that's a very scientific fact, but I just am not as comfortable with Safari.

Seriously, if Safari would switch tabs by Cmd-1, 2, 3... it would be tough for me to go back to Firefox (any tips are welcome).

FWIW, through the magic of the MultiClutch utility, I use a three-finger swipe left or right along the trackpad to change tabs in Safari. It rocks and very quickly becomes second nature.

Even if you end up switching back to Firefox, I suggest looking into it. It should work for Firefox as well, and is a hell of a productivity booster if you keep anywhere from 2-15 tabs open.

goodwilldrums · Jun 30, 2009, 12:27 PM

Firefox 3.5 is the first browser to support open video formats, allowing movies to become part of today’s dynamic web pages without requiring a plug-in.

Also, the best part about FF for me is the recently closed tab. Safari has yet to catch on to this much needed feature. If you accidentally close a tab you didn't mean to in Safari, you have to open a new tab and try to remember which page you were on. In FF, all you do is History > Recently closed tabs, and they're all there.

Love that feature!

Cassie · Jun 30, 2009, 12:29 PM

Apparently it upgraded itself for me...when my computer was off, because it doesn't show I'm using the beta anymore?

str1f3 · Jun 30, 2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodwilldrums

Firefox 3.5 is the first browser to support open video formats, allowing movies to become part of today’s dynamic web pages without requiring a plug-in.

Also, the best part about FF for me is the recently closed tab. Safari has yet to catch on to this must needed feature. If you accidentally close a tab you didn't mean to in Safari, you have to open a new tab and remember which page you were on. In FF, all you do is History > Recently closed tabs, and they're all there.

Love that feature!

The Glims plugin for Safari can do that and a lot more for Safari including easier tab switching. I understand what you're saying in that it would still be nice if it was built in.

morespce54 · Jun 30, 2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodwilldrums

Firefox 3.5 is the first browser to support open video formats, allowing movies to become part of today’s dynamic web pages without requiring a plug-in.

Also, the best part about FF for me is the recently closed tab. Safari has yet to catch on to this much needed feature. If you accidentally close a tab you didn't mean to in Safari, you have to open a new tab and try to remember which page you were on. In FF, all you do is History > Recently closed tabs, and they're all there.

Love that feature!

Well, you could always use the "Reopen last closed window" and "Reopen all windows from last session" options...

If you didn't use the "private browsing" option, that is...

TBDNET · Jun 30, 2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodwilldrums

Firefox 3.5 is the first browser to support open video formats, allowing movies to become part of today’s dynamic web pages without requiring a plug-in.

Also, the best part about FF for me is the recently closed tab. Safari has yet to catch on to this much needed feature. If you accidentally close a tab you didn't mean to in Safari, you have to open a new tab and try to remember which page you were on. In FF, all you do is History > Recently closed tabs, and they're all there.

Love that feature!

Never knew about that... doesn't sound like a huge savings over clicking on a page from the history but saving seconds adds up at the end of the day.

Mr Maui · Jun 30, 2009, 12:28 PM

Hopefully it will stabilize Firefox a bit. Ever since I upgraded from Firefox 3 to Firefox 3, my browser crashes with regularity. I use to love Firefox, but use Safari more these days because Firefox 3 has nice features, but crashes regularly.

mathcolo · Jun 30, 2009, 12:30 PM

Dang, Firefox 3.5 is extremely fast. I'm not sure about switching, however, since Safari 4 gets a perfect 100 on the Acid3 test and Firefox doesn't.

I do like Open Video though...

Speedy2 · Jun 30, 2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Maui

Hopefully it will stabilize Firefox a bit. Ever since I upgraded from Firefox 3 to Firefox 3, my browser crashes with regularity. I use to love Firefox, but use Safari more these days because Firefox 3 has nice features, but crashes regularly.

You might want to start fresh with a new profile.
Firefox is stable as a rock.

DELLsFan · Jun 30, 2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirky29

Still slow for me.

Safari is king.

I'm starting to think this too. Safari 4.0 is just awesome. Although I kinda miss a few Firefox extensions, I sure don't miss them enough to do without the TOP SITES feature in Safari. It's way too cool to give up.

xUKHCx · Jun 30, 2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DELLsFan

I'm starting to think this too. Safari 4.0 is just awesome. Although I kinda miss a few Firefox extensions, I sure don't miss them enough to do without the TOP SITES feature in Safari. It's way too cool to give up.

Firefox addon: Speed Dial which is essentially Top Sites.

Jayomat · Jun 30, 2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolRayz

Have they smoothed out the scrolling on 3.5? I like Firefox but the ultra smooth scrolling in Safari keeps me from switching.

hehee, i used safari for the exact same reason... but after some time, i really missed the features firefox has to offer and safari is lacking (e.g. intelligent "search-in-navigation-bar" (best feature ever

).... now im back at FF, and honestly, i think the scrolling has become a little smoother! at least smooth enough to come back to my beloved firefox

ITMacRN · Jun 30, 2009, 06:03 PM

if only Safari had sidebar bookmarks like Firefox, I'd happily switch to Safari full time.

Amdahl · Jun 30, 2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayomat

and honestly, i think the scrolling has become a little smoother! at least smooth enough to come back to my beloved firefox

It does seem a little better, but I'll have to try it on G5 w/Geforce 6800 or x1900. It is my benchmark.

Jayomat · Jun 30, 2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amdahl

It does seem a little better, but I'll have to try it on G5 w/Geforce 6800 or x1900. It is my benchmark.

it IS better

dwd3885 · Jun 30, 2009, 12:26 PM

I haven't used firefox since safari 4. But I'll check it out again. On a side note, They should make Firefox for the iPhone, although I'm not sure it would be accepted into the app store

Jun 30, 2009, 12:22 PM	#3
flapperdink macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2009	nice. i recently switched to safari 4 at home because it was faster. hopefully FF3.5 is just as fast...i got very used to FF at work and would go back in a hearbeat at home if it was as fast as safari. __________________ 13" Unibody, 4GB RAM, 160GB HD; 32GB 3GS; AEBS w/ 1TB WD Ext. HD.

Jun 30, 2009, 12:22 PM	#4
SolRayz macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Netherlands	Have they smoothed out the scrolling on 3.5? I like Firefox but the ultra smooth scrolling in Safari keeps me from switching. __________________ MacBook Pro 15" SR 2.4GHz, 4GB, 320GB BlackBook 13" Penryn 2.4GHz, 2GB, 250GB Snow Leopard 10.6.2, AEBS, 1TB WD Elements External HD, iPhone 8GB

Jun 30, 2009, 12:25 PM	#6
FF_productions macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mt. Prospect, Illinois	Firefox 3.5 is fast as hell...wow, I'd like to see some benchmarks.. __________________ Mac Pro, Quad 2.66, 11 GB ram, 4.5 TB's, 7300GT PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0 1.5 GB 23" Cinema Join The World Community Grid! Also Visit My Site

Jun 30, 2009, 12:25 PM	#8
GimmeSlack12 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco	So long Safari 4.0, you're fun but you don't switch tabs as easily as Firefox. Safari just doesn't seem as solid as Firefox, I know that's a very scientific fact, but I just am not as comfortable with Safari. Seriously, if Safari would switch tabs by Cmd-1, 2, 3... it would be tough for me to go back to Firefox (any tips are welcome). __________________ iMac 24" [Al] iBook 12" G4 iPhone 3GS iPod Classic

Jun 30, 2009, 12:27 PM	#11
goodwilldrums macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma City	FF is king Firefox 3.5 is the first browser to support open video formats, allowing movies to become part of today’s dynamic web pages without requiring a plug-in. Also, the best part about FF for me is the recently closed tab. Safari has yet to catch on to this much needed feature. If you accidentally close a tab you didn't mean to in Safari, you have to open a new tab and try to remember which page you were on. In FF, all you do is History > Recently closed tabs, and they're all there. Love that feature!

Jun 30, 2009, 12:20 PM	#2
Andy-V macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2007	Nice update. Been using the RC for a while.

Jun 30, 2009, 12:23 PM	#5
kirky29 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, England	Still slow for me. Safari is king.

Jun 30, 2009, 12:29 PM	#12
Cassie macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maybe a better place, soon...	Apparently it upgraded itself for me...when my computer was off, because it doesn't show I'm using the beta anymore? __________________ MR's PPC Fangirl eMac 1.42 GHz - 10.5 iBook G3 300 MHz - OS 9 StickLife \| Flowers

Jun 30, 2009, 12:28 PM	#16
Mr Maui macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002	Hopefully it will stabilize Firefox a bit. Ever since I upgraded from Firefox 3 to Firefox 3, my browser crashes with regularity. I use to love Firefox, but use Safari more these days because Firefox 3 has nice features, but crashes regularly. __________________ *UPCOMING APPLE PRODUCTS - The NEW "iWantItAll" and "iWantItNow"* Big brother Gates is watchin' ... an' he ain't likin' ... 8.5% market share!

Jun 30, 2009, 12:30 PM	#17
mathcolo macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: /home/US/Colorado/Denver	Dang, Firefox 3.5 is extremely fast. I'm not sure about switching, however, since Safari 4 gets a perfect 100 on the Acid3 test and Firefox doesn't. I do like Open Video though... __________________ Polycarbonate MacBook - 2.16Ghz - 500GB HDD - 2GB RAM Mac OS X and iPhone Developer

Jun 30, 2009, 06:03 PM	#22
ITMacRN macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Denver, CO	if only Safari had sidebar bookmarks like Firefox, I'd happily switch to Safari full time.

Jun 30, 2009, 12:26 PM	#25
dwd3885 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2004	I haven't used firefox since safari 4. But I'll check it out again. On a side note, They should make Firefox for the iPhone, although I'm not sure it would be accepted into the app store

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