Firefox 1.0 Preview Release Available

Mozilla.org has updated its standalone browser, Firefox, with a 1.0 Preview Release. This new version includes Live Bookmarks (RSS feeds in the form of bookmark folders), a new Find toolbar and better IE compatibility, among other changes and bugfixes. Firefox 1.0 PR is a test version of the upcoming 1.0 release. From the release notes:

  • Live Bookmarks

    You can now subscribe to and read RSS feeds in your Bookmarks. When you visit a page that advertises a RSS feed by using a <link> tag, a RSS icon will appear in the status bar. Click it to view a list of feeds the page is offering. Click one to subscribe - this adds a Bookmark Folder that contains all the recent posts from the feed.

  • Improved Find

    Find is easier and more powerful now with our new Find toolbar. The Find toolbar (which shows at the bottom of the browser window) automatically highlights text in the page as you type and has a useful highlight feature.

  • Managing Annoyances and Protecting Security

    You can now open blocked popups, and the Extension install system now blocks all attempts to install software from sites other than update.mozilla.org. Users can add other sites to a list that allows them to offer software, but software is never automatically installed. In addition to these steps, several other measures have been taken to prevent phishing attacks and to highlight when a page is being viewed over a secure connection.

  • Better Bookmarks

    Numerous improvements to bookmarks including more reliable presentation of Site icons, and a split pane view in the Bookmarks window.

  • Strong Encryption For Passwords Available

    Passwords saved with the Password Manager can now be more easily encrypted with strong encryption by creating a "Master Password". If you create a Master Password, you are prompted once per session to enter the Master Password so that Password Manager can automatically fill in site logins. A useful feature for people who share computers with others and want improved security.

  • Improved Compatibility for IE users

    Undetectable document.all support for site compatibility and improved compatibility for keyboard accelerators further smooth the transition for IE users

  • Better System Integration for GNOME users

    You can now configure Firefox as your Default Browser on GNOME, and Firefox will adhere to your GNOME settings for edit field key bindings, etc.

  • And a horde of other bug fixes...

Mozilla Firefox 1.0 PR is available for Mac OS X, Linux and Windows. Downloads are available at the Firefox website.