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Firefox 4 beta 3 for Android hands on: Mozilla browser hits the Market
So what's new in Firefox 4 beta 3?
- Improved support for both software and hardware keyboards
- Android-style menus
- Better integration with other apps when opening a link
- A save page-as-PDF option
- Improved Firefox Sync with new 'add a device' feature
- Full screen video and improved audio support
- Copy and paste support in the URL bar
- Developer access to a localStorage API and orientation events
Firefox 4 is also a bit of a space hog, currently consuming about 21MB -- ten times more than Dolphin Mini. And while I dig the desktop-to-mobile Firefox 4 synchronicity, I'm not sure it's enough to make me switch just yet. If I start doing more mobile surfing (which would make Sync more useful to me) and Mozilla kicks up the speed and trims a little fat, Firefox 4 will definitely be a strong contender for the coveted default browser crown.
Check out the gallery, or if you want to jump right in, use the QR code after the break. For more information, release notes and troubleshooting tips, check the Firefox Beta for Mobile website.
Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsSilverWaveDec 22nd 2010 9:40PM
Love it :-)
Easy Reading makes Firefox usable, the sooner it is built-in the better.
Add-ins:
Easy Reading
Readability
Reading List
Bigger Text
Phony
Only major outstanding issue is the lack of Master Password feature and it doesn't recognise the installed flash :-( so no BBC iPlayer.
Odd as Flash works OK on the default webkit though.
Sync is the killer app.
Notes:
running a HTC Desire. Android 2.2 (2.29.405.2)
Good write-up here:
http://madhava.com/egotism/archive/005053.html
Oh and uninstall any old version first -)
SilverWaveDec 22nd 2010 9:55PM
@SilverWave
:-|
Firefox Support Forum: http://support.mozilla.com/de/questions/767909
"I wish to view videos on you tube using adobe flash player from my HTC Desire running android 2.2, but need to know if this browser supports adobe flash player.
79 people have this problem 30 new this week
Solution Chosen by brysil
mbrubeck
mbrubeck 3
Sorry, Firefox 4 for Android is not compatible with the Flash plugin. We hope to support Flash in a future version, but we don't yet know when that will be ready."
SilverWaveDec 22nd 2010 10:03PM
@SilverWave
Should have RTFM:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/4.0b3/releasenotes/index.html
* Users who have a large desktop profile using Firefox Sync may see some performance issues. We are working to improve this in future releases.
* Major changes to Firefox for mobile have been made which have resulted in multiple add-ons to break. Developers, please see the Electrolysis and Add-ons wiki and the Add-ons Training Week documentation to help you make your add-on compatible with Firefox.
* Adobe Flash and other plugins are not supported. Currently, enabling the Flash plugin results in a compromised user experience across Firefox for mobile.
User Interface:
* Text does not wrap to fit the screen after zooming in, as it does in the Android browser (bug 578179). The Easy Reading add-on has some proof-of-concept code to do this.
Known Bugs:
* 602252 - Loading some pages in Firefox causes long freezes on some Motorola phones, especially the Motorola Droid (or “Milestone”).
* 606194 - Firefox fails to start on some Acer Liquid and Dell Streak devices.
* 601222 - Firefox's JIT compiler is disabled on Samsung Galaxy S phones running Android 2.1 because of stability problems. JavaScript performance in Firefox 4 Beta will be slower on these phones than on other devices.
* 535793 - Firefox for mobile will load an error page in place of the desired page while connecting to a network and loading a page at the same time
David LevineDec 23rd 2010 8:57AM
I wish Mozilla would bring Firefox to the iPhone.
billydixDec 23rd 2010 3:45PM
I have a Captivate and I can't find it in the market place. Where is it?