by Robert Abby

Created on: November 11, 2010

Mozilla has been tinkering away in its fabled 'Labs', and Firefox 4 is the latest release that we get to tinker with.  Let's start off by saying wow, this browser is fast!  You can tell immediately that Firefox has done well to learn where it's shortcomings became apparent when standing next to Google Chrome, and have adjusted appropriately.  Mozilla has done an excellent job up until now, but this is easily one of the biggest releases of their famous web browser yet.  There is a proverbial laundry list of updates and improvements to cover, but we will just knock out some of the most notable.

♦ Firefox Sync

The implementation of Firefox Sync allows you the user to save your browsing history, passwords, queries, and even open tabs for use on the go.  Leave up whatever tabs you like active on your desktop PC, and once you step out of the house, log on with your Firefox Mobile app for iPhone or Android and pick up exactly where you left off.  All you need to do is register an account with Firefox sync, and receive your Firefox Sync Key, which you will enter into whatever PC or mobile device you want to be synced with your web browsing behavior.

♦ Panorama View

Panorama is a revolutionary new way to manage your tabbed browsing atmosphere.  Click the icon next to your tabs, or press ctrl+space, and launch your browser into a new world of tab management.  Drag and drop open windows into specific groups, and name your groups accordingly.  You can effect size, and "pile" your tabs, or do landscape view for more detail.  Custom group names allows you to stay more productive, and regimented with how you compile your information, and either perform research, or respond to your five Twitter accounts.

♦3D Support

That's not a typo.  True, honest-to-God 3D will be coming to web browsing, and Mozilla is going to pave the way with Firefox 4.  As stated on Mozilla's Firefox Beta Page, "WebGL brings 3D graphics to Firefox, opening the door for developers to create vivid games and new kinds of visualizations and experiences for the Web."

With speed tests breaking the sound barrier, and complete integration of HTML 5, Firefox is raising the bar of web browsing, yet again.  There is a ton of space for this piece of software to grow and mature with the times, and stay current with the digital trends.  With the vastly improved screen real-estate, and intuitive new interface, and a mobile application for both Android and iOS, there is no excuse for you to not get in line for Mozilla's latest toy.  Cheers!

This list just scratches the surface of what Firefox 4 will be capable of.  To learn more about the new features of Mozilla Firefox 4, or to download the Beta, just head on over to http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/beta/features/

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