Reinventing Firefox for Android (blog.mozilla.org)

Article summary

Mozilla has released a preview of its new Firefox browser for Android, built on the GeckoView engine, which promises faster performance and improved privacy features. The new browser is currently available for testing and is expected to be released in a feature-rich version later this year. The GeckoView engine allows for greater flexibility in terms of privacy and security features, and the browser includes features such as tracking protection and collections for organizing bookmarks. The current version of the browser does not support add-ons, but this is expected to be added in the future.

Main themes

• Firefox for Android
• GeckoView engine
• Privacy features
• Add-on support
• Browser performance

What commenters say

• The lack of add-on support, particularly for ad blockers, is a major drawback for many users.
• The new browser's performance and privacy features are significant improvements over the current version.
• Mozilla's decision to prioritize mobile optimization over add-on support is seen as a mistake by some users.
• The inclusion of tracking protection by default is a positive step towards improving user privacy.
• Some users are willing to wait for the final version of the browser, which will include add-on support, before switching from their current browser.
• Others believe that ad blockers are a critical feature that should be included in the minimum viable product.
• The browser's current limitations make it unsuitable for extended use, but it shows promise for the future.
• Mozilla's approach to privacy and ad blocking is seen as inadequate by some users, who compare it unfavorably to other browsers like Brave.