Meet Firefox Quantum browser: 2x faster and 30% less memory
What's the story
Google Chrome has always been the go-to search engine for the majority of internet users. To change this scenario, Mozilla has now released "Firefox Quantum", the biggest and most exciting update to Firefox browser in 13 years. Firefox Quantum is a completely revamped version of the original 2004 Firefox. The brand-new browser is blazing fast and will outpace Google Chrome, claims Mozilla. Read more!
Information
Latest version now available to download
Windows, macOS, and Linux users can now download the latest Firefox version, Quantum or Firefox 57, on their computers. Firefox for Android and iOS has also been updated, but the latest mobile version doesn't reportedly come with many changes.
Browser Tabs
Can manage browser tabs better than Chrome
Launching the new version, Firefox Quantum, Mozilla said that the browser is at least twice as fast as its previous versions. Even in the memory usage department, Quantum outperforms Google Chrome, which has always been known to be a memory hog. Mozilla said that Quantum uses 30% less memory than Chrome to handle an equal number of accumulated browser tabs.
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Browser speed tests
The lighter Quantum also renders pages quickly. Mozilla claimed Firefox 57 is twice as fast as Firefox 52 in Speedometer 2.0. But it didn't compare Quantum's speed with Google Chrome. However, some found that Quantum exceeded Google Chrome's performance in browser speed tests.
Features
Other exciting features of Firefox Quantum
Firefox's user interface (UI) also got a total make-over to include fresh themes, menu items, and tab designs. The overhaul is part of Mozilla's Photon initiative to unify and modernize all Firefox products' appearance. Apart from the sleek UI, there is a toolbar customization option, Pocket bookmarking app recommendations/favorite topics on every tab, Private Browsing with tracking protection, and Night Mode among other features.
Information
Improved search feature
Another impressive feature of Firefox Quantum is "quicker search". When users type something in the address bar, the browser instantly shows search suggestions and options to use any search engine. However, Google remains Quantum's default search engine.
Partnership
Mozilla wants Google as default search provider
Meanwhile, Mozilla also canceled its deal with Verizon Communications' Yahoo to make Google the default search engine provider for Firefox again. However, Google would be the default search engine only in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Mozilla and Yahoo signed a five-year deal in 2014, but the former terminated the contract two years early. Google was Firefox's default search engine from 2004-14.
Quote
Mozilla Chief Legal/Business Officer on terminating Yahoo contract
Mozilla's Denelle Dixon stated: "We exercised our contractual right to terminate our agreement with Yahoo! based on a number of factors including doing what's best for our brand, our effort to provide quality web search, and the broader content experience for our users."