Software update: Fennec M9 / alpha 1

Mozilla released the first public test version of its new mobile browser Fennec this week released. This first alpha version is fully usable and mainly intended to subject the user interface to a thorough test. What is special about Fennec’s user interface is that it appears by sliding the browser screen to the left or right. Fennec is based on the same browser engine as Firefox 3, which means that almost all websites are displayed properly. Flash is not yet present in Fennec, as it caused stability issues, but that issue will be resolved at a later date.

The intention is that the first final version of Fennec will be on the market in mid-2010. That release is intended for various portable Internet devices, such as Nokia’s Internet tablets and Windows Mobile handhelds. The iPhone and Android will not be supported. At the moment Fennec is only available for the Nokia N810, Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. The following features are present in this Fennec release:

Easy navigation to Web content:

• Bookmarks, including tags
• Smart URL bar (“awesome bar”)
• Tabbed browsing with thumbnail images
• Integrated Web search – built into the URL bar
• Easy access to multiple search engines

Web content:

• Maximize content by auto-hiding controls and URL bar
• Zoom in and out

Security:

• Instant Web Site ID (“Larry“)
• password manager
• popup blocker
• Clear private data

Device services integration:

• Click on a phone number to initiate a call
• JavaScript API to get device location
• popup blocker
• Clear private data

Also:

• Searchable download manager
• Preferences pane