14 DAY TRIAL // Mozilla has updated the Firefox Sync add-on which adds bookmark, history and open tab sync to the popular browser. Firefox Sync 1.5 is now available for download and comes with several updates which should make the whole experience more seamless for users.
One change that should make quite a few users happy is the drop of usernames. Sync now only requires an email address when first signing up for the service.
There is also a refreshed setup wizard which aims to get people going as fast as possible.
There are a few updates under the hood as well, but the focus is on smoothing out the rough edges and lowering the entry barrier for users.
Here's a full list of changes and updates in Firefox Sync 1.5:
- Improved and simplified setup wizard; - Sync no longer asks for a user name on sign up, just an email address; - Show a strength meter for custom Sync Keys; - Memory and performance improvements; - Sync now syncs which engines are enabled across all clients; - Added support for server-side quota; - Improved default client name on mobile devices; - Enable bookmark and tabs sync on Seamonkey.
There is a good reason for focusing on the interface and the UX part of the application, Sync will be built into Firefox 4. As such, the feature has to reach a level of quality and usability that is on par with the rest of the browser.
Sync, formerly known as Weave, has been in the works for more than a year and has been labeled as experimental for much of that time. Sync is a product of Mozilla Labs which handles advanced projects for the open-source outfit.
Now that it's set to become an integral part of the Firefox experience, the feature is getting the finishing touches before being introduced to the world. Meanwhile, Firefox 3.5 and 3.6 users can use the add-on to access the features available in the Firefox 4.0 Beta.
Firefox Sync 1.5 is available for download here.