Download Firefox 3.6.4 and Firefox 3.5.10

After quite a long wait and a plethora of interim testing releases, the final versions of Firefox 3.6.4 and Firefox 3.5.10 are now available for download. Fact is that, even if Firefox 3.5.10 had been wrapped up earlier, it was still joined at the hip with Firefox 3.6.4 in terms of a launch deadline. With the two releases tied together, Mozilla simply postponed the availability of Firefox 3.5.10, synchronizing it with Firefox 3.6.4. Of course, while version 3.5.10 is nothing more than a standard security and stability update, Firefox 3.6.4 is much more than just a refresh because it brings to the table a new feature, which comes with the promise of delivering uninterrupted browsing for users, namely Out of Process Plugins (OOPP).

OOPP is designed to deliver crash protection for Windows and Linux users by divorcing third-party plugins from the open source browser. With Firefox 3.6.4., Mozilla covers a limited number of plugins, having focused on the most popular including Adobe Flash, Apple QuickTime and Microsoft Silverlight. The promise from the browser vendor is that it will introduce support for additional plugins and for Mac OS X future Firefox releases.

“Results from our beta testing show Firefox 3.6.4 will significantly reduce the number of Firefox crashes experienced by users who are watching online videos or playing games. When a plugin crashes or freezes while using Firefox, users can enjoy uninterrupted browsing by simply refreshing the page,” Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's director of Firefox, explained.

OOPP means that, even if Adobe Flash, Apple Quicktime or Microsoft Silverlight act up whenever Firefox 3.6.4 users will visit a certain website, whether symptoms involve crashes or poor performance, the open source browser and the users’ experience would not be negatively impacted.

At the same time, Firefox 3.6.4 offers stability enhancements and a range of patches. With the 3.6.4 update, Mozilla has plugged no less than seven security holes, four of which are considered to be critical.

Similarly, Firefox 3.5.10 is focused on resolving stability issues as well as patching vulnerabilities. According to Mozilla, no less than nine security holes were plugged with Firefox 3.5.10, no less than six of which were considered Critical in nature. Firefox 3.5.10 does not bring to the table new features, and it won’t in the future either, with Mozilla’s focus now on Firefox 3.6 and the upcoming Firefox 4.0.

UPDATE: Added more download links.

Firefox 3.6.4 for Windows is available for download here.

Follow me on Twitter @MariusOiaga.