Mozilla Firefox 3.6 AKA Namoroka is on the Way!

Web browsers are ever competing with each other. One of a number of widely used web browsers, Mozilla Firefox, is very apparent in this online race. Looking at Mozilla's developments, it's evident that it doesn't get left behind with its updates. After Firefox 3.5, code named "Shiretoko" is released the next version, Firefox 3.6 is going to be developed under a project with the code name "Namoroka". However, the project might also be introduced as "Firefox.next". The 3.6 version should not be recognized as the last for Firefox because some reliable sources announced that Mozilla has already begun to explore new features for Firefox 3.7 and 4.0. Nevertheless, Firefox 3.6 will come with a bunch of new features and improvements.

The intended release date of Firefox 3.6 is planned for early-to-mid 2010. Its development began on 1 December 2008. This release will use the Gecko 1.9.2 engine and will contain several interface enhancements, like new graphical tab-switching behavior, which was eliminated from 3.5 with Beta 2. Speed is the main aim, especially with regard to user interface improvements, startup time and tab handling. In addition, a better integration with the host OS and web apps, new personalization and customization features as well as souped up tabs management are included in development of Firefox 3.6. Moreover, an all-new task-based navigation should delight users. One testing version of Mozilla Firefox 3.6 is Firefox 3.6a1pre. Below are registry keys related to Mozilla Firefox 3.6a1pre:

Table 1.  Registry keys related to Mozilla Firefox 3.6a1pre

The first two key features of the forthcoming Firefox 3.6 are Performance and 'Personalization & Customization'. With regard to performance, observable enhancements in user-perceptible performance metrics like startup, time to open a new tab, and responsiveness while interacting with the user interface will be evolved. Also, common user tasks will be noticeably faster and more responsive. As concerns Personalization & Customization, the development, discovery, installation and management of browser customization as well as functional extension, are going to be simplified. Where possible, a custom fit user experience based on a user's interaction history will be offered.

The next three features include Task Based Navigation, Web Application Support and System Integration. Task Based Navigation enables users to organize their tabs, history, downloaded files, and other resources according to the task they were trying to perform. It also provides support to carry out common web-based tasks and mash-up style without having to visit a website. Web Application Support enables users to blur the distinction between web and desktop applications, providing web developers with the tools needed to create rich application experiences for a user who is connected or disconnected from the Internet. System Integration allows users to integrate with the look and feel of the host operating system, which contains data-level interactions with current system services like dictionaries and Web applications. Some of the files related to Firefox 3.6a1pre include but are not limited to the following:

Table 2.  Files related to Mozilla Firefox 3.6a1pre

Namoroka is going to apply a highly iterative, milestone based development process which will be based on feedback from developers, testers and users to assure that Mozilla is investing time and resources properly. The initial exploration phase is going to be used for development cost and benefit investigation, as well as creation of user interaction prototypes. This will come with an alpha development phase for early user testing and feedback. After that, a beta phase for broader compatibility testing will follow. As Mozilla Firefox 3.6 is still in the process of development, there are evidently no vulnerabilities to announce and analyze. However, it's possible that a variety of vulnerabilities will emerge when it's released officially. Mozilla Firefox 3.6 could become a great new target for malicious users. So, for now let's just hope we will face as few as possible vulnerabilities as compared to the earlier versions of Mozilla Firefox.