Mozilla is almost ready to unleash its new vision for Firefox onto the world. Called Firefox Quantum, this is designed to see Firefox reborn as a serious challenger to Google Chrome. Firefox Quantum is faster, more efficient, and better looking. And the beta is now available for you to try.
Google Chrome practically owns the web browser market right now. Google's ever-impressive browser boasts a 55 percent share of the market, with Safari a long way behind in second place. Firefox is, well, even further behind. Which is why Mozilla has pulled out all of the stops for Firefox 57.
Firefox 57 Is Firefox Quantum
According to the Mozilla Blog, Firefox 57 offers such vast improvements over previous versions that it needed a new name. Which, if you hadn't already guessed by now, is Firefox Quantum. This isn't an incremental update, but a new version of Firefox built from the ground up. And it shows.
Firefox Quantum has been improved on the surface level and under the hood. It features a rebuilt user interface called Photon, with a modern, minimalist design, square tabs, and smooth animations. But it's under the hood where Mozilla has really gone to town, with Quantum using multiple CPU cores, and a new CSS engine built in Rust.
With Google Chrome being the browser to beat, Mozilla is making much of how Quantum beats Chrome across various metrics. Mozilla is particularly keen to point out that when comparing the two, "Firefox Quantum is often perceivably faster" than Chrome, all "while consuming roughly 30% less RAM".
Firefox Quantum is set to launch on November 14, with anyone already using Firefox being automatically upgraded to it. However, if you're keen to try the beta version of Firefox Quantum you can download it right now on desktop (Windows, MacOS, and Linux), on Android, and on iOS.
Quantum Competition for Chrome
I'll be honest and admit that looks count for little with me when it comes to browsing the web. I don't care whether tabs are rounded or square, or how much graphical razzmatazz has been added for effect. I want speed, efficiency, and features I'll actually use. And on first viewing Firefox Quantum looks to be offering all of that and more. Which means Chrome may have some competition.
Which web browser are you currently using? Why do you favor that browser over the competition? Do you already use Firefox across all of your devices? What do you make of Firefox Quantum? Are you likely to give the beta a try? Please let us know in the comments below!