The new version of Firefox (Quantum) is now available for macOS users. With significant improvements, the browser deserves a second chance at becoming your default web browser, and here’s why.
1. Faster
Mozilla, the company behind Firefox, calls Firefox Quantum (as the update is called) the biggest improvement since the introduction of the browser. A lot of work has been done to the code of the web browser, making it a lot faster. According to Mozilla, Firefox is significantly faster than Chrome, which is the most used worldwide. How the browser compares to Safari in terms of speed, the company leaves open. Firefox also uses 30 percent less RAM than Chrome and loads multiple tabs faster at the same time.
A nice improvement is the integration with the Read Later service Pocket. When you open a new tab, you’ll see three stories from Pocket that you might find interesting. If you see something interesting, you can click directly to the article. It is also good to know that many old extensions no longer work in the new version, until a new variant of the extension becomes available.
2. More beautiful
Also striking about Firefox 57 is the new ‘Photon’ interface. The web browser looks a lot more modern and especially minimalist than previous versions. In addition, the developers have made sure that Firefox looks good on all screens; it does not matter whether you use an iPhone or Mac (Book).
Also interesting: support for WebVR has been added. This is an accessible way to experience virtual reality through the web browser. You don’t have to download separate apps, just go to the correct web address and check a virtual reality application.
3. Download now for macOS and iOS
If you already use Firefox on your Mac, you will automatically receive an update to the Quantum version. If you want to try the browser, you can use it through this link download for free. The iOS version of Firefox recently got an update to version 10.1, which includes the new interface. Other improvements will be rolling out to iOS soon.
→ Download Firefox for iOS from the App Store (free)