Skip to main content

Fennec Beta 1 Release Notes



This is the twelfth development milestone and the first beta release of the mobile version of Firefox, for testing purposes only, intended to:

* get wider feedback on our approach to the user experience
* engage Mozilla community teams, including localizers, and testers
* get feedback from Web developers
* encourage add-on developers to port existing add-ons and invent new ones for mobile

The initial focus of Fennec development was on building a new user experience that reflects Firefox's design principles, adding touch screen support and other interactions appropriate for mobile phones and other handheld devices, while preserving leading features like the Smart URL Bar ("awesome bar") and support for add-ons.

For beta 1, we continued to focus on performance and responsiveness. TraceMonkey, Mozilla's new JavaScript engine, is now included in Fennec, greatly improving performance. Many other performance improvements were made to panning, zooming, responsiveness and application start-up, some of which are listed below.

To help out, visit the Mozilla mobile page to learn about our public weekly meetings, how to find our community on IRC, and more.

These Release Notes provide a "quick start" for the impatient, some highlights of what's included in this version, download and installation instructions, known issues, and frequently asked questions. Please read these notes and the bug filing instructions before reporting bugs to Bugzilla.
Quick start

This release is available for the OS2008 ("Maemo") software platforms that runs on the Nokia N810 Internet Tablets. If you're viewing this on an N810, install Fennec.

Don't have an N810? Don't worry, you can still experiment with Fennec, provide feedback, write add-ons, and get involved by installing a version of Fennec for your desktop PC:

* Windows
* Mac OS X
* Linux

The idea behind releasing the package for PCs is to give people who don't have a Nokia Internet Tablet the ability to localize, experiment and build add-ons. Note: The desktop version of Fennec is not a supported product.
What's in this version?

New for Beta 1:

* TraceMonkey, Mozilla's new JavaScript engine
* Faster application start-up time
* Faster panning
* Faster zooming
* Initial implementation of bookmark folders and bookmark editing
* Support for plug-ins

This builds upon the feature set of the alpha releases:

Easy navigation to Web content:

* Bookmarks, including tags
* Smart URL bar ("awesome bar")
* Tabbed browsing with thumbnail images
* Integrated Web search - built into the URL bar
* Easy access to multiple search engines

Web content:

* Maximize content by auto-hiding controls and URL bar
* Zoom in and out

Security:

* Instant Web site ID ("Larry")
* Password manager
* Popup blocker
* Clear private data

Devices services integration:

* Click on a phone number to initiate a call
* JavaScript API to get device location

Also:

* Searchable download manager
* Preferences pane
* Add-ons manager, including ability to directly find and install add-ons

Installing Fennec

System requirements:

* Nokia N810 Internet Tablet running OS2008 ("chinook" or "diablo")

Installation:

* If you're viewing this on an N810, click here to install Fennec
* Read here for step by step instructions

Install a version of Fennec for your desktop PC:

* Windows
* Mac OS X
* Linux

Tips and tricks

* to use the full screen for browsing, click the button on the left hand side on top of the device (to the left of the -/+ buttons)
* swipe left to expose back/forward/bookmark buttons and the URL bar; swipe right to dismiss them
* swipe right to expose tabs; swipe left to dismiss them

Known issues

* Bug 458741: Allow panning/scrolling in iframes - Websites that display large amounts of content in IFrames, including Google Mail and Reader, will be very hard, if not impossible, to use.
* Plugins may not work in some of the desktop builds.

Give us feedback

* Comment in our newsgroup
* File bugs in Bugzilla. Read these instructions first.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sony Ericsson MW600 Review

If you're someone who regularly finds themselves driving, or cycling, or skiing, or cooking, or cleaning, or doing anything - for that matter - which requires your hands and at least a portion of your concentration, then you'll know the value of a Bluetooth headset. But in the more energetic of the aforementioned pursuits, you'll find that a regular ol' one-eared headset won't do. They fall out. When you're halfway down a Colorado piste, or leaning over your stew, the last thing you want that little bit of expensive plastic to do is fall out. Enter Sony Ericsson's MW600 - a teeny-tiny device with a big clip that lets you turn any pair of headphones into a Bluetooth headset. But is it worth shelling out your hard-earned cash for? Do you really need the MW600 in your life? Look down at your little finger on your left hand. The MW600 is about the same size as that. It has a clip on the back that reaches two-thirds of the w...

The Use of Generator

As the name suggests generators are for generating electricity, thereby ensuring that all your electricity requirements are met. There are several types of generators available in the market differing in their wattage capacity. These generators differ in their price, portability, fuel efficiency, voltage ratings as well as fuel type. Standby generators are a common type of generators that are used to provide backup in offices as well as home. Their wiring is inculcated along with the house wiring. When electrify goes off, the generator unit turns itself on and provide uninterrupted power supply. Go for the one that uses natural gas or propane as it offers you clean, safe and long lasting supply of power. Like other electrical units, generator creates a lot of heat and requires a cooling system so as to main the temperature. These generators can be either liquid cooled or air cooled. Liquid cooled systems are much more dependable as well as quite than the air cooled system. However, the...

LG KS360

The LG KS360 is a slide opening mobile phone which comes with a convenient slide out QWERTY keyboard for all you text & messaging users on the move. The slide out QWERTY keyboard provides an accurate & quick method when writing messages & also has a numeric keypad which is highlighted by a coloured section in the full QWERTY keyboard for when the user wishes to use enter numbers at high speed. The KS360 comes with a touch screen dialling which allows the user to make calls easily with minimal effort. The phone is available in a selection of colours which include black & silver, black & red, white & soft pink or titanium & bright blue. The colour options available are fun & fashionable which will suit all users of this stunning handset but the colour option is your choice. The casing weighs 108 grams & is 16.8mm deep by 101.5mm tall by 51mm wide which allows the user to slip this phone into their pocket or bag when not in use. The screen is 2.4 Inches...