Mozilla launches new Firefox today

Fudzilla ^ | 11/15/2017 | Nick Farrell

[Elderberry]

Quantum it is rather good

Mozilla today launched Firefox 57, branded Firefox Quantum, for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. We have been running it for a month or so and it is rather good.

Mozilla calls Quantum “by far the biggest update since Firefox 1.0 in 2004”, but even ignoring the hyperbole it does bring much needed performance improvements and a visual redesign to the Firefox stable.

Firefox 57 for the desktop is available for download now on Firefox.com, and all existing users should be able to upgrade to it automatically. The Android version is trickling out slowly on Google Play, and the iOS version - which is usually updated separately from the other platforms - should eventually arrive on Apple’s App Store.

Mozilla says that Firefox Quantum is twice as fast as Firefox was six months ago, and according to the still in development) Speedometer 2.0 benchmark, it also uses 30 percent less memory than Chrome.

While Firefox has historically run mostly on just one CPU core, Firefox Quantum finally takes advantage of multiple CPU cores on desktop and mobile. Firefox Quantum features a faster CSS engine written in Rust that runs quickly, in parallel across multiple CPU cores, instead of running in one slower sequence on a single core.

Firefox Quantum prioritizes the tab being used before other tabs you have open in the background. It includes a new CSS engine called Stylo, which takes better advantage of multiple CPU cores that are optimised for low power consumption.

[Elderberry]

I discovered that I had auto-update on my Firefox.

Yesterday afternoon I discovered it had updated my Dell Optiplex780. My machine didn't like it one bit. I promptly restored to 56.0.2 and turned off updates.

[SubMareener]

Thanks! I just updated and it does seem faster.

[CedarDave]

Here is an older thread that details the damage the new version will do. The main problem is that the new version automatically will make just about ALL extensions obsolete. Only a small number have been rewritten and available for use with this new browser configuration.

Mozilla Will Kill Legacy Firefox Add-Ons in Exactly Three Months (Now November 14, 2017)

[Red Badger]

Already installed!

It does seem faster........but it scrambled all my tools and buttons...............Now I have to learn where everything is all over again, like when they remodel the grocery store.....................

[backspace]

Been using FF for years. Love it. But this new version won’t remember custom text size settings for Free Republic

:(

[uncbob]

Mine updated automatically today and now I am all screwed up
How can I go back to the previous version

[Skooz]

Hard to believe anyone here still uses Firefox after they booted their founder for supporting traditional marriage.

When they did that, I deleted it from my computer, loaded Pale Moon and never looked back.

I’m currently enjoying Brave. The fastest browser I’ve ever used.

[rxsid]

I had stopped using FF a while ago because it had become sluggish and often issues with running up my CPU while on sites using flash.

This newest version seems to be a huge performance and stability boost. Thanks for posting!

[steve86]

Mostly critical -ANGRY- reviews on Android Play Store.

[CatOwner]

I discovered that I had auto-update on my Firefox.

Yeah, I don't like surprises. Every PC I've built/purchased I end up setting each application to notify me of a new update but require me to accept the update.

In this case, I have some Firefox add-ons like classic themes and toolbars that won't be ported to Firefox 57+. I decided to take the time to check out other browsers (Opera, Vivaldi, Brave) since I'm being forced to learn a new interface anyway. I've been locked into Firefox since 2004 (Firefox 0.8).

[goldstategop]

Just install FF ESR 52.05 or the equivalent in Cyberfox and you can keep using legacy FF extensions through next summer.

[Augie]

Great. Now the thread loops and memory leaks will happen twice as fast.

[Enlightened1]

Firefox is now using the Google platform.

It runs like Google’s Browser Chrome in other words.

[knarf]

MY computer has been a piece of shit for about a month.

I've cleaned it, everything but restored it (can't find the CD) and today, FIREFOX is updated, faster, and my computer is healed.

I thought I was under FBI, CIA, LMNOP attack.

OS people need to notify us with ... "WE'VE even notioced our shitty OS ... be patient ... we're working on it" ...

or something

[Elderberry]

Mine updated automatically today and now I am all screwed up How can I go back to the previous version

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-older-version-of-firefox

[PAR35]

I’ve been blocking updates since they said they were going to be killing the add-ons that made Firefox better than IE. And I’ve been slowly converting myself to Brave.

[Bob434]

Anyone running into problems with the addon adblock plus?

[goldstategop]

Yup. I’m not sure what the point of the redesign is - if I want to use Google Chrome, I’ll run it.

With 57, I lose all the customizability that gave FF an advantage in return for a speed boost.

And my broadband connection is plenty fast.

[knarf]

All my settings seem to be the same (I have 133% font for FR and it came back that way).

The refresh button went from right to left and that's about all.

The NEW TAB icons are a little smaller and lined up rather than "blocked" ... no biggie as far as I'm concerned

[PAR35]

The performance issues were intentional to force you to the new spyware version of Firefox.