Firefox Quantum
Mozilla Firefox is a popular browser choice for surfing the internet. Furthermore, Mozilla’s mission statement is to “ensure the Internet is a global public resource, open and accessible to all”. As a matter of fact, since its original launch as Phoenix in 2002, Firefox has maintained that commitment.
The latest version of the popular browser is Firefox Quantum. Not to mention, Quantum engaged the input of over 700 code contributors, along with 80 voluntary contributions. However, the expertise of the brightest coding minds are responsible for Quantum. For example, here’s a list of Firefox features that set it apart from other browser options.
What Makes Firefox Different
- Mozilla is a non-profit entity with a focused objective towards maintaining a globally accessible internet. Tech people often refer to Firefox as the people’s browser.
- From the very beginning, Firefox has concentrated on user privacy. Unlike most commercial browsers, mechanisms can encrypt data and stop data mining.
- Toolbars, especially bookmarks, are one of the hugely popular features that set Firefox apart from other browsers. The level of customization of these browser tools is extensive.
- The Open Web ideology is the motivation behind Firefox apps and extensions. With this intention, users can include apps and extensions, that transfer to all synced devices without having to repurchase.
- The Flash Player plug-in is not built-in to the Firefox browser.
- Firefox includes the option for a full menu bar that includes – File, Edit, View, History, Bookmarks, Tools, and Help.
What’s New for Firefox Quantum
- The biggest improvement Mozilla made with the launch of Firefox Quantum was speed. Uniquely, making Quantum twice as fast as previous versions.
- Toolbar customization has long been a priority for Firefox. However, the Quantum release has widened an already pronounced gap. For instance, there are 265,252,859,191,742,656,903,069,040,640,000 different ways to personalize the Firefox Quantum toolbar.
- Quantum has expanded choices for search providers. As a matter of fact, Google is still the default search engine. However, users can include over 60 search options in more than 90 languages.
- Changes were made to enhance the User Interface (UI). Consequently, through an initiative called Photon, Firefox Quantum their speed to improve the UI across every type of device.
- Built-in support for WASM and WebVR to meet today’s and the futures gaming and virtual reality needs.
- There were a number of improvements made at the browser’s core. In fact, a new CSS engine called Stylo has been optimized, even further reducing the power consumption. Finally, Firefox took the best rating for power consumption and made it even better.
The Bottom Line
Internet surfers who want a browser that uses less memory, speed and efficiency at their fingertips, need to take the Quantum leap. In other words, remove speed and performance from the equation and Quantum stands alone with respect to privacy and security.
Bugs are a natural part of any new release. However, experience proves that Mozilla will aggressively address all problems for the user experience, not their own bottom line.
So all the improvements, the speed, the lightness of the latest firefox and flash is completely gone on this. Instead all you get is a link to html5 player and snowy video screens. Firefox is aggravating. Flash is dead but guess what? Firefox won’t play html5 either. What a reward for the longtime firefox user.
What is the difference between Quantum and ESR? I have both on my MacBook. Is one better than the other for specific tasks?