Firefox for iOS Soft Launches in New Zealand

Thursday September 3, 2015 5:17 PM PDT by Joe Rossignol
Mozilla released the first public preview of Firefox for iOS on the App Store in New Zealand today. The company aims to collect feedback on Firefox for iOS in the country, and eventually a few others, to help make improvements and add new features to the browser prior to a worldwide launch later this year.

Firefox-for-iOS
The public preview version of Firefox for iOS features Intelligent Search, Firefox Accounts and Visual Tabs.
  • Intelligent Search: Suggested search results and list of search options, including Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Twitter, Amazon and WordPress
  • Firefox Accounts: Firefox browser history, passwords and tabs from your desktop on your iPhone
  • Visual Tabs: A card-based grid of open tabs
To provide feedback within the app, tap the numeric tab icon on the top right, tap the "Settings" menu on the top left and tap on "Send Feedback" under the "Support" menu.

Mozilla was initially opposed to releasing Firefox on iOS because of Apple's policy that requires third-party browsers to use its own WebKit framework and JavaScript engine, but the company reversed course and announced plans to release an iOS app in December 2014. Other third-party browsers include Chrome and Opera.

Tags: App Store, New Zealand, Firefox for iOS, Mozilla
73 comments


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Jessica Lares
52 months ago

I don't need another browser.


I'll still stay with Safari:

1) it syncs perfectly with my Mac and iPad as well as handoff features.

2) it's fast. Generally one of, if not the fastest mobile browser on iPhones.

3) I can't change an app default, so if I click a link somewhere it will automatically open in safari anyway.


You guys do know that there are millions of iOS users that don't have Macs and would like to be able to sync their bookmarks and other browser data with their devices? :rolleyes:
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
AppleFan91
52 months ago
I'll still stay with Safari:

1) it syncs perfectly with my Mac and iPad as well as handoff features.

2) it's fast. Generally one of, if not the fastest mobile browser on iPhones.

3) I can't change an app default, so if I click a link somewhere it will automatically open in safari anyway.
Rating: 7 Votes
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mpavilion
52 months ago

I don't need another browser.


To the tune of Tina Turner's "Beyond Thunderdome" song(?)
Rating: 7 Votes
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BeSweeet
52 months ago
RIP Mobile Safari for me.
Rating: 4 Votes
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mijail
52 months ago

I'll still stay with Safari:

1) it syncs perfectly with my Mac and iPad as well as handoff features.


Yep, let's hope that Handoff will get extended to other apps soon.

Firefox anyway syncs in its own way - and since it's open source there is a chance that its sync mechanism can be tapped by other browsers. Probably the same applies to Chrome too. But Safari rather locks you in because of iCloud-mediated sync and of how the open tabs and bookmarks are accessed by the user.


2) it's fast. Generally one of, if not the fastest mobile browser on iPhones.


Firefox for iOS is being tested now - and you already know that Safari is faster?
Hint: in arewefastyet.com you can see that Firefox in desktop is faster than Safari (and Chrome) in most tests, in most architectures, in most OSes… and that it has been so for a long time already.


3) I can't change an app default, so if I click a link somewhere it will automatically open in safari anyway.


So, you are converting Apple's mandate in your willfull choice? Way to go.
To me that is more like a reason to ask for changes.
Rating: 4 Votes
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BeSweeet
52 months ago

Bah! The one time a decent app is released in my home country first and I can't install it because it needs iOS 8.

Oh well.


Good timing. A 6s awaits you.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Thares
52 months ago

This has been the only app on the iPhone I think I've ever been excited to get

In that case, please sell your iPhone and buy any other phone. This phone is obviously not working for you.
Rating: 3 Votes
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kd8nzg
52 months ago
This has been the only app on the iPhone I think I've ever been excited to get
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
2457282
52 months ago

I'll still stay with Safari:

1) it syncs perfectly with my Mac and iPad as well as handoff features.

2) it's fast. Generally one of, if not the fastest mobile browser on iPhones.

3) I can't change an app default, so if I click a link somewhere it will automatically open in safari anyway.

Exactly the same reasons why I am sticking with Safari. Even if Apple allowed me to change the default, the other two reasons still weigh heavy for me.

You guys do know that there are millions of iOS users that don't have Macs and would like to be able to sync their bookmarks and other browser data with their devices? :rolleyes:

What, are you serious? There are people with iPhones that don't also have an iPad, Mac, appletv and a time capsule? Oh the horror.....

:p
Rating: 3 Votes
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atrevers
52 months ago

You guys do know that there are millions of iOS users that don't have Macs and would like to be able to sync their bookmarks and other browser data with their devices? :rolleyes:


You do know that the other guys were just expressing their personal preference: "I don't need another browser" doesn't mean "I don't think other browsers should be available" :rolleyes:
Rating: 3 Votes
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