14 DAY TRIAL // Mozilla has just released a new version of Firefox for Android in Google Play Store. Firefox version 42 comes with many new features and improved performance in certain scenarios.
The most important change included in this version of Firefox is a redesigned Private Browsing, which now features Tracking Protection.
According to Mozilla, the Tracking Protection feature is meant to block certain Web elements that could be used to record users' behaviors across site and send them to third-parties.
Essentially, this is an ad-blocker which can be enabled and disabled whenever the user feels like it. There are no additional settings or other options that you can use. You can either take advantage of Tracking Protection as Mozilla included it, or turn it off.
Firefox 42 also comes with support for direct voice input for searching from the URL bar. Also, family-friendly browsing for Android is available when users create a restricted profile on tablets.
Scrollable tabs for panel navigation is mentioned in the official changelog as well, along with the option to open external URLs from Android app in the background.
A few HTML5-related changes have been added too
Mobile login manager (about:logins) will now list all saved logins and should allow users to view/edit or delete logins.
Mozilla has also confirmed they have improved performance on interactive websites that trigger a lot of restyles.
Some HTML5-related changes have been implemented too, such as ES6 Reflect, support for ImageBitmap and createImageBitmap(). Media Source Extension for HTML5 video is now available for all sites.
Lots of security fixes have also been added. Last but not least, developers will be pleased to know that remote website debugging over Wi-Fi (no USB cable or ADB needed) is now available.
You can now download Firefox for Android 42 for free via Google Play Store. The application should be fully compatible with all devices powered by Android 4.0 and up.