Archive for April, 2011
Google Chrome Blocks Java
Java and security vulnerabilities go together like bread and butter and fortunately for some users, it is now blocked in Google Chrome.
In case web page tries to access Java plug-in, the following message will be displayed:
“The Java plug-in needs your permission to run.”
After such popup, user can select whether he or she wants to run plug-in this time only or whitelist site all together.
For those who would like to disable protection, all you have to do is add –always-authorize-plugins command line flag.
Good news, nonetheless.
Source: Google Chrome Help.
Download Firefox 4.0.1
Here comes the first stability and security update for Firefox 4 web browser as well as update for both, Firefox 3.6 and 3.5 branches.
Firefox 4.0.1 includes 3 security patches (2 of them are marked as critical) and just over 50 bug fixes, 55 to be exact.
As for Firefox 3.6.17 and 3.5.19 releases, both versions patch 6 security vulnerabilities (3 critical) and 17, 19 bug fixes respectively.
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Firefox 5 to Receive Huge Performance Improvements
Thanks to various tweaks and improvements, the upcoming Firefox 5 release, which is scheduled for the July 2011 release, will see a big jump in performance.
The first in the list are: a new JavaScript compiler codenamed IonMonkey and rendering engine improvements, which should offer a significant performance boost in hardware acceleration and web pages rendering.
According to Mozilla, a new JavaScript interface algorithm that they’ve been working on is already 40% faster than its own TranceMonkey or Google’s Crankshaft.
Furthermore, due to the recent Firefox criticism on heavy memory usage, the new version will have key improvements in this area as well.
Firefox 5 does indeed look promising and we can’t wait to give the Beta version a test drive.
Download Google Chrome 11 Final
Good news,
Google Chrome 11.0.696.57 has been just pushed to the stable channel and can be downloaded here.
The latest release patches various bugs and brings a handful amount of security fixes, rewarding bug hunters with a total of $16,500 in cash.
In addition to that, Google Chrome 11 now includes the speech input through HTML feature, allowing you to translate what you say (via microphone) with Google Translate.
Firefox Aurora Lacks Users
With the recent introduction of the new channel structure, it looks like Mozilla is not receiving the users it originally anticipated.
How so? Matt Brubeck, the software engineer for the Firefox Mobile has tweeted the following:
We need more Firefox users to join the Aurora channel, and start testing Firefox 5 features like CSS3 Animation: http://firefox.com/channel
As of today, the Beta release of Firefox 5 web browser is scheduled for the May 17 with the final release target set to June 21st.
Weekly Browsers Recap + Bonus Links, April 25th
FavBrowser.com
- Microsoft Starts Bug Warnings For Third Parties
- Mozilla Introduces New Channel Structure for Firefox
- Google Chrome Theme for Firefox 4
- Google Chrome Has 120 Million Users
- Chrome Called Out By FTC Over Do Not Track
- Opera: Disable Auto Image Fit to Screen / Pictures Resizing
- Safari to Receive Do Not Track Feature
- Maxthon Theme for Firefox 4
- Block Visitors That Block Ads?
Firefox 4 Tops 100 Million Downloads
It has been a month since the launch of Firefox 4 and Mozilla has decided to disclose that the browser has already managed 100 million downloads. Nevertheless, according to StatCounter, a web analytics company, the introduction of Firefox 4 has not managed to boost Firefox’s overall share in the browser market.
Firefox 4’s average share up until the 24th of April accumulated to 7.3% which is more than double the average Firefox 4 had achieved in March. The Mozilla browser has since exceeded 8%.
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Mozilla Introduces New Channel Structure for Firefox
With the upcoming Firefox 5 release, Mozilla has introduced a new release structure for its web browser, designed to speed up the software development cycle.
As you might remember, Firefox used to have the following release channels:
Nightly Test Builds
Firefox Beta
Firefox Final Release
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Chrome Called Out By FTC Over Do Not Track
Google was singled out by Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Liebowitz this week due to not yet having detailed any plans for integrating the Do Not Track feature. What this particular privacy feature does is let consumers opt out of online tracking by Web sites and advertisers, Google belonging to both of these categories.
Apple just announced they’re going to put it in their Safari browser. So that gives you Apple, Microsoft and Mozilla. Really the only holdout — the only company that hasn’t evolved as much as we would like on this — is Google.
