Recientemente Mozilla released Firefox Quantum 68.0 as well as Firefox for Android 68.0 and Firefox ESR 68.0 (extended support version). Mozilla Firefox ESR is for organizations that manage their customers' workstations, including schools, businesses, and other institutions that want to offer Firefox.
The new version promises improvements in the discovery and security of the extensions, improves dark mode on screen, extends protection against encryption and adds support for updating BITS for Windows, allowing Firefox to update even when the main application has been closed.
Main new features of Firefox Quantum 68.0
In this new version default plugin manager included (about: addons), which is completely rewritten using HTML / JavaScript and standard web technologies as part of an initiative to remove the browser from XUL and XBL-based components.
In the new interface, for each addition in the form of tabs, it is possible to view a complete description, change settings and manage access rights without leaving the main page with a list of plugins.
Instead of separate addition trigger control buttons, a context menu is offered. The disabled plugins are now clearly separated from the active ones and are listed in a separate section.
As well we can find a new section with recommended accessories for installation, the composition of which is selected based on installed plugins, settings and statistics on the user's work.
Plugins are accepted into the contextual recommendation list only if they meet Mozilla's requirements in the field of security, usability, and convenience of work, and efficiently and effectively solve real problems of interest to a wide audience. Proposed additions go through a full security review with each update.
On the other hand we will find the new implementation of the address bar of the Quantum Bar, that outwardly and in its capabilities is almost identical to the old address bar but is distinguished by a complete reworking of internals and code rewriting, replacing XUL / XBL with the standard web API.
The new implementation greatly simplifies the process of expanding functionality (creating plugins in the WebExtensions format is supported), removes links to browser subsystems, makes it easier to connect new data sources, has higher performance and interface responsiveness.
In strict mode of blocking inappropriate content, In addition to all known motion tracking systems and all third-party cookies, the JavaScript inserts that mine cryptocurrencies or user tracking using hidden identification methods now they are also blocked.
Previously, these locks were enabled through an explicit selection in a custom lock mode. Blocking is done by additional categories (fingerprints and cryptocurrency) in the Disconnect.me list;
The phased inclusion of the Servo WebRender composition system, written in the Rust language and which brings the page content rendering operation to the GPU, continued.
When using WebRender, instead of the composition system built into the Gecko engine that processes the data using the CPU, the shaders are run on the GPU to perform summary rendering of the elements on the page, allowing for a significant magnification in drawing speed and reduce the load on the CPU.
Firefox 68 was the last version, with which the update of the classic edition of Firefox for Android was generated.
Starting with Firefox 69, expected on September 3, new versions of Firefox for Android will not be released, and the fixes will be delivered as Firefox 68 ESR updates.
The new mobile browser developed by Fenix will replace the classic Firefox for Android and the use of the GeckoView engine and the Mozilla Android set of component libraries.