14 DAY TRIAL // Fennec, the mobile version of the popular Firefox browser, has been updated once again. While until now Windows Mobile users were able to enjoy the Alpha 1 release of the software solution, the Alpha 2 version has been released into the wild, and is now available for download. At the same time, the development team also updated the Fennec version for Maemo, as well as those for Windows and Linux PCs and for Macs.
The Windows Mobile Fennec, now in Alpha 2, comes with improved panning performance, newly designed themes, the JavaScript error console is now built in, improved add-on support, numerous bug fixes, and an improved UI polish. This might not look too much for some, yet we should still keep in mind the fact that the browser is in Alpha, and that progress towards releasing a beta version is made at all times.
The previous versions of Fennec for Windows Mobile also came with a series of improvements, as well as with some nice features, such as bookmarks, including tags, a smart URL bar, tabbed browsing with thumbnail images, integrated Web search – built into the URL bar, or easy access to multiple search engines. The browser also allows users to zoom in and out on pages, comes with a popup blocker, with certain service integration features, and with an add-on manager, which enables users to directly find and install add-ons.
Those who own a mobile phone running under Windows Mobile 6.0 or higher can try out the new Alpha 2 version of Fennec for free, yet they should keep in mind that it has been released for testing purposes, so that the development team would be able to get wider feedback on their approach to the user experience, to engage Mozilla community teams, including localizers, and testers, get feedback from Web developers and to encourage add-on developers to port existing add-ons and invent new ones for mobiles.
The Fennec version for Maemo has been updated as well, and now the Beta 2 version is available, which comes with about the same improvements as the Alpha 2 version for Windows Mobile. The release can be downloaded for the Nokia N810 Internet Tablets, yet those that do not own such a device but would like to take a look at the browser should know that they can try it on their desktop PCs. The browser is available on Softpedia as well, just follow the links. Download Fennec 1.0 Alpha 2 for Windows Mobile
Download Fennec 1.0 Beta 2 for Windows PCs Download Fennec 1.0 Beta 2 for Mac
Fennec 1.0 Beta 2 for Maemo and Linux PCs can be downloaded from here.