14 DAY TRIAL // Firefox users should be getting ready for an update coming in just a couple of days. Users of the current Firefox 3.6 will get the latest ‘point’ update with the release of Firefox 3.6.4, but Firefox 3.5.10 is also coming for those stuck with the older browser. Mozilla has now made available the Firefox 3.6.4 Release Candidate version, which, barring any last-minute bugs, should be identical to the final release coming June 1st.
“The release candidate build of Firefox 3.6.4 is now available for download and public testing. This version fixes issues found in the previous beta of Firefox 3.6.4. If no issues are found during testing this build will be officially released as Firefox 3.6.4 final in the coming weeks. Users who have already downloaded or opted in to previous betas should receive the latest beta as an automatic update,” Mozilla announced.
Normally, this kind of updates would only address security and stability bugs, things that can’t be delayed for too long. With Firefox 3.6.4, though, comes a big change to the entire Mozilla development process as, along with the regular bug fixes, the latest Firefox will also get the touted Out-of-Process Plugins feature, what Mozilla now calls “uninterrupted browsing.” It would be the first time Firefox receives a new feature with a minor release and Mozilla says it won’t be the last.
Basically, uninterrupted browsing means that Firefox 3.6.4 will relegate all the browser plugins to a new process. This will isolate them from the main Firefox process and should prove a major stability boost. If one of the plugins, Adobe Flash, Java etc., should crash, it won’t take the entire browser with it. The advantages of this are obvious and competing browsers, specifically Google Chrome, have similar approaches.
Firefox 3.6.4 Release Candidate (Beta 6) for Windows is available for download here. Firefox 3.6.4 Release Candidate (Beta 6) for Mac is available for download here. Firefox 3.6.4 Release Candidate (Beta 6) for Linux is available for download here.