AfterDawn: News

Firefox to dump XUL tech in Android apps

Mozilla Director of Firefox Engineering Johnathan Nightingale has announced this week that the Android version of their platform will dump the XUL technology used in all desktop Firefox editions.

"Firefox on Android is a critical part of supporting the open Web, and this decision puts us in a position to build the best Firefox possible," added Nightingale.



While Firefox has over 20 percent market share on PCs, it has yet to meaningfully break into the mobile market which is controlled by Apple's Safari and Android's Chrome variant.

By moving away from XUL and into a native Android interface, the browser should use less memory and have a much faster boot time, stuff even the average Joe user cares about.

Concludes Nightingale: "After substantial discussion, we have decided to build future versions of Firefox on Android with a native UI [user interface] instead of the current XUL implementation."

Under the hood, the browser will still use the Gecko processing engine, says Cnet.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 15 Oct 2011 16:00

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• 11 comments

• Morreale

  Anyone use the Mozilla browser over the regular Opera browser on Android?
  
  Or does anyone really stick with the stock Chrome? lol
  

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  15.10.2011 19:55 #1

• 3MUK

  I use Dolphin HD as my default browser. I only use firefox to view whats on my desktop using firefox sync. Thats all. Overall its to slow.
  

  "You can lead a fool to wisdom but you cant make him think"

  15.10.2011 21:31 #2

• DVDBack23

  I use Dolphin HD also, but the stock Chrome on 2.3.4 is very good, as well.
  

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  15.10.2011 23:46 #3

• Xplorer4

  Opera is very good now. It used to be pretty bad at rendering but the last major update resolved this. It's not my favorite, but it is the fastest. Dolphin is good, and offers lots of add ons, but in my experience xScope Browser is the fastest(Opera excluded for obvious reasons) and does the best job rendering pages.
  

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  16.10.2011 00:34 #4

• KillerBug

  I gave FF for Android a chance...but there is no Flash...I might as well be using a f**king iPhone!

  16.10.2011 00:57 #5

• Mysttic

  I don't even use my smartphone for the net much. I really only access Market Place and that's it. Browsing, I can do at home or on my laptop, easier on the eyes to read.

  16.10.2011 01:48 #6

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by Mysttic: I don't even use my smartphone for the net much. I really only access Market Place and that's it. Browsing, I can do at home or on my laptop, easier on the eyes to read.
  What a waste of a data plan.
  

  
  

  16.10.2011 11:40 #7

• Mysttic

  Quote:What a waste of a data plan. It is, I admit that; it honestly is, but at the same time my plan that i pay for is cheaper than getting one with no data plan at all lol. And Canada doesn't have very good plans, US definitely has better than us.

  16.10.2011 13:13 #8

• Morreale

  Originally posted by Mysttic: Quote:What a waste of a data plan. It is, I admit that; it honestly is, but at the same time my plan that i pay for is cheaper than getting one with no data plan at all lol. And Canada doesn't have very good plans, US definitely has better than us. Wind has decent plans if you live within coverage :)
  
  I always use my phone for web browsing either when I'm bored or when I don't feel like turning on a computer to check something. Phones are pretty capable these days.
  

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  16.10.2011 14:40 #9

• Mysttic

  I don't live within coverage of Wind, but I am well aware of their plans, as my wife used to work for them not but a month ago.
  
  Phones are capable, but i just don't feel like straining my eyes to browse the web is all I saying, even tho yes most phones can zoom in, it's quicker and easier to just see everything on 1 screen without needing to wave my hand through it to continue reading something.
  
  What'd I'd like to see with this firefox is a way to integrate my bookmarks from my PC. May be worth my time getting then.
  
  I can understand how it'd be good for other consumers tho.

  16.10.2011 19:24 #10

• KillerBug

  With a modern phone you really don't have to strain your eyes...the browsers automatically zoom every page so that the text is just a little smaller than it would be on a 22" monitor...and since you naturally hold the phone closer to you, the text actually looks bigger.
  
  I guess I can understand not liking to surf if your connection sucks...but even with my old 3G phone, things were nice and fast here in Florida...I can get a whole day worth of news while I am waiting a few minutes for an appointment, and I can go and watch videos on the escapist or whatever when I am early for my next appointment. (The curse of an MR2 Spyder...you always get there 10 minutes before google says you should...unless you leave 10 minutes later; then you get stuck in traffic and are 20 minutes late).
  

  
  

  17.10.2011 05:19 #11