14 DAY TRIAL // With Firefox 3.5 out of the way, Mozilla is focusing on the evolution of its open-source browser. In the Weekly Status Meeting on July 20, 2009, two successors of Firefox 3.5 are mentioned, namely versions 3.6 and 3.7. Both releases have been referenced on Mozilla's proposed product roadmap, with emphasis on proposed. In this context users must understand that nothing is by any means set in stone. However, the product roadmap does indicate that Mozilla plans to release Firefox 3.6 in the fall of this year while Firefox 3.7 will follow it in the spring of 2010.
Mozilla already revealed that codename Namoroka would be the successor of Firefox 3.5. Namoroka is also currently referred to as Firefox 3.6, but the moniker might prove to be just temporary. Users can of course recall that Firefox 3.5 started off as Firefox 3.1 codename Shiretoko. Mozilla currently plans to “release Firefox 3.6 mid-to-late fall, potentially as minor update.” As a minor refresh, Firefox 3.6 would make perfect sense. At the same time, these are nothing else but initial plans. When it debuted into development, Firefox 3.1 was also designed as a minor update planned for availability by the end of 2008. Instead it evolved into a major update, and Firefox 3.5 was released in June 2009, over a year after the introduction of Firefox 3.0.
According to current plans, Firefox 3.6 will be based on Gecko 1.9.2, with the rendering engine version 1.9.2 branch scheduled to be created on August 1st, 2009. By November 1st, Mozilla is looking to have already built the Mozilla-1.9.3 branch. For next year, current plans read: “maybe a Firefox 3.7 for late spring 2010.” “Maybe” of course adds a lot of uncertainty on top of what already is a far from definitive product roadmap.
Mozilla has already made public one aspect of its vision for Firefox 3.7, namely a redesign of the graphical user interface to better tailor the open-source browser for the Windows platform. In this regard, Firefox 3.7 will embrace operating systems such as Windows 7 in terms of look and feel, all the bells and whistles of Windows Aero, and in regard to the natural user interface.
Firefox 3.5.1 for Windows is available for download here.
Firefox 3.5.1 for Linux is available for download here.
Firefox 3.5.1 for Mac OS X is available for download here.