Firefox for Android pre-alpha updated, gets nightly builds

By Jerry Hildenbrand
last updated

Blogger and Tech Lead of Mozilla's mobile devices team Stuart Parmenter has slipped out a new pre-alpha build for Android 2.x users.  He still warns that it's likely to be very buggy and isn't even close to ready for prime time, but for us curious types he has posted it on his blog here to download and play with.

It's considerably better running and a bit smaller (the download is 9.6 MB, and the install is now 25MB versus 30MB in size) than the last build.  I put it through the paces a little bit and found it to be quite a treat, especially knowing that it's still an early development version.  And interestingly enough, it outscores the native Android browser on the Acid3 test (opens in new tab).  If you're feeling adventurous head over to Stuart's blog and give Fennec a spin.  [pavlov.net] 

Jerry Hildenbrand
Jerry Hildenbrand
Senior Editor — Google Ecosystem

Jerry is an amateur woodworker and struggling shade tree mechanic. There's nothing he can't take apart, but many things he can't reassemble. You'll find him writing and speaking his loud opinion on Android Central and occasionally on Twitter.

12 Comments
  • Wonder if I should try this over Dolphin..
  • Installed it, uninstalled it. It kept locking up and causing forced closings. My N1 is rooted, which might be part of the issue. Staying with Dolphin HD.
  • 9.6MB is the download size. The installed size has been reduced from 30MB to about 25MB.
  • True that. Updated the post. Thanks, Matt!
  • Works great
  • Hmmm... can't get it to work on my Incredible. Forced close after it froze and didn't respond. Anyone else?
  • For those of you that this works on your phone could you post what phone you have and the os ? That might help the rest of us and the developer. Just a thought.
  • Does anyone know what Jerry is using to show his battery status on the status bar. I can't figure that one out. As for fennec, I can't tear myself away from Dolphin HD.
  • he mentioned in the last podcast...custom rom.
  • I am going to have to root. Maybe that is the final push.
  • Yep. It's a function from a custom rom (CyanogenMod)
  • Well Mozilla is finally starting to gather it's poop in a group. Good for android owners everywhere, and TAKE THAT, APPLE! I can't wait til they get it running up on a Samsung Moment so I can play with it too :3 (unless, of course, a miracle occurs and I win that Evo!)