14 DAY TRIAL // On Friday, Mozilla unleashed the first Alpha flavor of the long expected Fennec browser for Google's Android operating system, a solution also compatible with the Maemo-based Nokia N900 smartphone.
The new mobile browser packs the same technology as the Firefox 4 beta application for desktop computers does, while also bringing to the mobile space a series of highly appreciated features of this solution, including Firefox Sync, Add-ons and the Awesome Bar.
We've already reported on the launch of this application, but a closer look at its features and capabilities is required, especially since this is the first official release Fennec sees for Android-based devices.
As previously reported, the new solution is mainly aimed at delivering stability enhancements, along with increased responsiveness, not to mention that there are some new features that should offer users the possibility to customize the solution in accordance to their needs.
Basically, the solution should enable heavy Firefox users to get their web with them while on the go.
Fennec synchronizes one's Firefox history, is the first mobile Web browser to support add-ons, sports a customizable start page, and boasts a Touch Friendly UI, among other.
According to the development team, the new solution comes with a wider range of personalizations than before, some of which include: - Firefox Sync synchronizes your Firefox history, bookmarks, passwords and tabs between your desktop and mobile - Add-ons are available to customize the features, functionality and look of your Fennec Personalized Start page lets you pick up where you left off on your desktop - Awesome Screen gets to know you and takes you to your favorite websites with minimal typing - Pinch-to-zoom (Android), double-tab, or use the volume rocker (Nokia N900) to zoom in and out - Tabbed browsing in thumbnail view lets you easily see and select the site you want - Location-Aware Browsing gives you content and info relevant to your location - Save to PDF, Find In Page, Forget Password, Send Page and Add Search Engine located in the Site Menu all help you manage your preferences and options for each site you’re on - Context Menu lets you Open in New Tab and Share by long tapping and holding a link
But that it not all, since a series of under the hood enhancements are also there, including a JavaScript engine, the Firefox 4.0 browser engine, leading Web compatibility, great optimization for use on ARM processors, Location-Aware Browsing, and the inclusion of a series of HTML5 technologies into the mix.
“Fennec alpha provides a platform for creating rich mobile applications. Use the latest Web technologies like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript to innovate faster, more easily and extend your reach. You can build great sites and apps by tapping into the device capabilities of the phone,” Mozilla notes.
The Fennec 2.0 Alpha 1 is available for download for Android handsets and for the Nokia N900 from Softpedia too, via this link.
In case there are some of you interested to give it a try but do not have an aforementioned handset, they can download the versions Mozilla released for Windows, Linux and Mac OS. These flavors are also great for development purposes.
