Firefox browser will soon waiting for big changes

In this article you will find a list of innovations that are expected to make in the next version of the Firefox browser. Some of them have been actively tested in pre-release versions of the program, and you can try them on their own, while others are so far only discussed.

If we look at the charts of popularity of different browsers in the last few years, no one will not have discrepancies in their evaluation. Chrome is fast and has steadily increased its share of eating competitors one by one. In an effort to survive the development team other browsers are taking desperate measures. In Mozilla came up with his plan of salvation ordinary Firefox, and it looks quite unexpectedly.

1. Release of the 64-bit version of Firefox for Windows

Windows users have long been waiting for the output of 64-bit version, while on Linux it has already left a little earlier. This is a major update to the browser, which will bring the following benefits to users:

• The browser will be able to make better use of memory, which will make it possible to run directly in Firefox pretty heavy game. It has already been claimed to support in the browser Unreal game engine and published by the relevant demovideo.

• 64-bit structure improves The security of the browser by optimizing ASLR (address space layout randomization).

• In Firefox will run JavaScript faster. Preliminary testing shows the performance gains at the level of 8-17%.

2. Daylight multiprocessing architecture

Technology start of each tab and browser extensions in a separate process first appeared in Chrome, and has since become the industry standard. In Mozilla has long announced start of Electrolysis project, within which is preparing the transition to the new architecture, but due to the difficulties of adaptation, this process lasted for almost a year. Now it appears that he is nearing completion, and in mid-September, we can see Firefox 42 with separation technology processes in memory.

3. Install only signed additions

In Chrome, some time ago, it was completely blocked the installation of extensions from third-party sources. Firefox comes in the same way and will allow us to only those add-ons that have been signed in Mozilla. This feature appears only in a stable and beta version of Firefox 42, and test nightly builds the ability to install extensions from third-party sources yet remain.

4. Firefox moves to a new API for add-ons compatible with the API for Chrome

This is the most recent news, Which prompted me to write this note. Yes, Mozilla decided nevertheless to give up their own add-ons system and move to a new standard already used in Chrome and Opera. This does not mean that the extension of the Chrome Web Store can be installed in Firefox in a single click. No, it simply means that developers will be easier to create and to port extensions for different browsers. In fact, it will be enough just a small code changes and repackaging the expansion, so that it could work in Firefox. New WebExtensions API is already available in the nightly builds of Firefox and will appear in a stable version since the release of Firefox 42.

As you can see, the changes in Firefox planned large. In fact, we are witnessing an attempt to developers gradually adapt their browser to the standards set by the Google Chrome, but with preservation of the native features of Firefox. Some of the functions described above are already available in a test version of Firefox, you can download here.

Will it have the Mozilla this trick? How do you assess future changes in the Firefox browser? Express their opinion in the comments.