Mozilla Working on 'Junior' Web Browser for iPad
Back in mid-2010, Mozilla released Firefox Home, an iOS app designed to sync users' Firefox histories, bookmarks, and open tabs from their desktops to their iOS devices. Several months later, Mozilla acknowledged that it had no plans to bring a full-fledged Firefox browser to iOS, due in part to "technical and logistical restrictions" that would make it difficult to create an acceptable user experience on the platform.
While Mozilla apparently still has no desire to try to replicate Firefox on iOS, The Verge reports that Mozilla has been working on a stripped-down browser known as "Junior" that is intended to simplify and improve the browsing experience on iOS.
Mozilla still has a fair amount of work to do on Junior, and thus it will likely not be making a public appearance for some time, but it could add another notable browsing name for iOS users to consider as Google has also been reported to be bringing Chrome to iOS.
Update: A Mozilla spokesperson has contacted MacRumors to clarify that Junior is still in the experimental stage and may never see a public release.
While Mozilla apparently still has no desire to try to replicate Firefox on iOS, The Verge reports that Mozilla has been working on a stripped-down browser known as "Junior" that is intended to simplify and improve the browsing experience on iOS.
"So here comes the fun stuff," said Alex Limi as he began discussing the prototype iPad browser Mozilla has been working on for several months. "We wanted to make something entirely new. We wanted to look into how we could reinvent the browser for a new form factor," he said.Junior offers a full-screen experience for users that forgoes tabs and relies on a pair of navigation buttons at the side of the screen to access the browser's functions. Navigation is accomplished through a separate page showing recently-visited pages, bookmarks, and a unified address/search bar. Junior also supports the creation of multiple user accounts, recognizing that the iPad is frequently shared among members of a household.
Mozilla still has a fair amount of work to do on Junior, and thus it will likely not be making a public appearance for some time, but it could add another notable browsing name for iOS users to consider as Google has also been reported to be bringing Chrome to iOS.
Update: A Mozilla spokesperson has contacted MacRumors to clarify that Junior is still in the experimental stage and may never see a public release.
Junior is an early-stage experimental project and is not confirmed for development by Mozilla or for a future version of Firefox. All projects and experiments at Mozilla are developed in the open to gather ideas and feedback.
Top Rated Comments
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12 months ago
until Apple allows users to change their default web browser on iOS, no other browser will ever pick up steam.
AND this is something that if Apple doesn't allow soon, I could see becoming a legal issue over the next couple years.
See: Microsoft & IE in the 90's
AND this is something that if Apple doesn't allow soon, I could see becoming a legal issue over the next couple years.
See: Microsoft & IE in the 90's
12 months ago
As much as I'd like to know more, I just can't watch that presentation...the guy's speaking and presentation skills are simply so poor, I can't take it. I'm forced to sit through these at work....not doing it here.
12 months ago
Mozilla has been working on a stripped-down browser known as "Junior" that is intended to simply and improve the browsing experience on iOS.
Really? Safari is too complex? I really don't see how it could be any simpler without it losing vital functionality.
12 months ago
I'd love a browser that syncs my bookmarks with chrome, which I use on my Mac.
I even tried switching to safari on the Mac, but it lacks some really important features.
Like what? I've used Safari for 6 years now and it has more features then all the browsers out there... maybe you don't know how to do what you want to?
Not being rude just saying... most computer issues or complaints are a lack of user knowledge.
12 months ago
Aren't all web browsers for iOS just a wrapper for Safari? What's the point of that?
Ad blocking?
12 months ago
Most web content is financed through ads. In some sense ad blocking is just as unethical as downloading pirate software.
lol okay, i'll keep blocking those annoying bastards the same way i dont watch commercials on tv
12 months ago
There was the odd good idea in here, but I was way too turned off by the lacklustre and completely uninspiring presentation which appeared have been done in the local gym with posters printed on an old Color Stylewriter.
If you really want to sell millions upon millions of iPad users on a whole new concept of browser, Mozilla, then you’re gonna need to spend some money making it look like the cool thing to have. This second rate Powerpoint presentation with it’s "umms", "ahhs" and "is this ons?" just don’t cut it.
Unless they just mis-read something about Apple’s presentation style and decided they needed to set up their own "Really Disjointed Field".
If you really want to sell millions upon millions of iPad users on a whole new concept of browser, Mozilla, then you’re gonna need to spend some money making it look like the cool thing to have. This second rate Powerpoint presentation with it’s "umms", "ahhs" and "is this ons?" just don’t cut it.
Unless they just mis-read something about Apple’s presentation style and decided they needed to set up their own "Really Disjointed Field".
12 months ago
This guy is rude and unprofessional. He is also a very crappy speaker... I won't ever use this browser because of him.
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Junior is also what they call their *"Firemen"!
*South Park Reference
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Do whatever you want, Mozilla. Just don't call it Junior.
Junior is also what they call their *"Firemen"!
*South Park Reference
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