Mozilla’s next incarnation of Firefox, version 2.0, currently in beta, is tentatively due for release on September 26. With that release, expect some nice upgrades to the browser’s RSS and XML reader capabilities, among other functions, that will keep it on par with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7.
Mozilla has been inching up the charts in terms of market share, with the most recent reports placing Firefox at 13 percent worldwide. This makes Firefox a credible threat to Microsoft’s hold on the market as the only competing browser to reach that level of saturation in recent history.
Reviews of the upcoming Firefox release have compared the built-in RSS and XML feed-viewing functionality to that of IE 7. Its Choose a Feed Reader option allows configuration of desktop or Web-based readers, and offers the user the option of setting one reader to default for any added subscriptions.
Also included among feed reader upgrades is a preview functionality that lets the reader see headlines and descriptions in advance. PC World called the capability a “newspaper-like presentation.” If the preview is acceptable, Mozilla has added a “Subscribe Now” button
As listed at Mozilla’s developer page, here are more features to be added:
Inline spell checking for text areas lets you compose with confidence in web forms.
Microsummaries provide a way to create bookmarks that display information pulled from the site they refer to, updated automatically. Great for stock tickers, auction monitoring, and so forth.
Extension Manager user interface has been enhanced.
Search engine manager lets you rearrange and remove search engines shown in the search bar.
Tabbed browsing enhancements include adding close buttons to each tab, adjustments to how Firefox decides which tab to bring you to when you close the current tab, and simplified preferences for tabs.
Autodetection of search engines allows search engines that offer plugins for the Firefox search bar to offer to install their plugins for you.
Search suggestions allow search engines to offer suggested search terms based on what you’ve typed so far in the search bar.
Anti-phishing feature to warn users when the web site you’re looking at appears to be a forgery.
