Mozilla has released the first 64-bit version of the popular browser Firefox. Google has long realized the 64-bit architecture in the browser Chrome, and Microsoft has implemented it in the Edge. What advantages does it have compared with the 32-bit and where they are able to open up?
Firefox has always been available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. Starting with version 43.0 will separate 64-bit version of Firefox for Windows and Linux, the corresponding bit. Browser interface is translated into 89 languages. The distribution in the desired localization, you can choose from the download page.
Typically, the transition to a higher digit is needed to control the large amount of memory (in this case – more than 4 GB) and support for new processor instructions. However, this press release is not a word. In it only indicates that the first effect of the transition to 64-bit version of Firefox users will appreciate Windows 7 and newer (although the browser officially supports Windows Vista and 64-bit).
The official blog wrote that the noticeable increase in performance when running in a browser of the latest applications and games. Maybe so, but the distribution is looks strange. If only because it is sewn directory \ win64 size zero. Inside there are sub directories pointers different languages, but also empty. All files in the installation package (unpacked any modern archiver) established on 9 December. Why release came a week later and found a half-empty – a mystery.
Fortunately, out of the ordinary revision history shows that innovations are not limited to changing the bit. At the API level it has been improved video playback format m4v. In private browsing mode, there is an additional protection against tracking, custom blocking cookies and other advanced tools. The address bar that Firefox developers like to call the Awesome Bar had more features. Now it displays tips from various search engines.
Now, on touch screen devices running Windows 8 and above by placing the cursor in the text entry box Firefox can automatically display the onscreen keyboard.
We improved in the forty-third version of Firefox, and developer tools. Syntax highlighting is now highlighted in the navigation chain all the nodes to which were applied the selected pseudo-elements. To the left of them appear orange dot.
In the “Inspector” context menu now contains a new paragraph “Use the console.” With it, you can store the selected items as variables. Team GCLI now allows select permission to save screenshots. Fixed minor bugs in the Developer Dashboard. ‘Pipette’ tool now works correctly when zooming.
Fixed sixteen vulnerabilities, four of which – critical. They related to cross-site scripting, privilege escalation through an attack on API support extensions incorrect closing transmission channel streaming in WebRTC and leaks in memory.
If you change platforms always have to sacrifice something because of the backward compatibility issues. With Firefox 43.0 64-bit will not work some browser add-ons and plug-ins, so make sure that their new versions before upgrading Firefox.
Also, developers are advised that until the end of next year will be completely dropped support for plug-ins, created on the basis of Netscape plugin API (including Silverlight, and Java). The need for the proposed NPAPI features disappeared with the advent of HTML5.
NPAPI support already been discontinued in other browsers. For example, with Google Chrome it removed the first of September this year. The reason for such haste is called numerous security problems that arise when using NPAPI.
In late 2009, Google began to develop another version of the application programming interface – Pepper Plugin API, which provides advanced features (in Chrome already used 107 different). Plug-ins based PPAPI are becoming more popular and are considered safer, but their support in Firefox still remains questionable.