Mozilla has just released the latest version of Firefox browser for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android devices. As expected, it was released with the IonMonkey JavaScript complier which it says provides faster JavaScript performance for web games and other long lived web applications. IonMonkey replaces SpiderMonkey JavaScript engine which had been its JavaScript booster in previous versions. Mozilla says IonMonkey outperform SpiderMonkey by more than 25%.
For more on this release, please click here.
To show off how IonMonkey performs, Mozilla is highlighting BananaBread, a 3D web game developed by its Developer Network in HTML5, WebGL and JavaScript.
To get Firefox 18 in Windows and Mac, go to the download page on Mozilla.org and download a copy. Or open your current version and go to Firefox –> Help –> About Firefox to get updated. Android devices can get it from Google Play Store.
In Ubuntu, you may have to add addition software sources, which I will show you later. In a few days, you may be able to get it just by updating your system.
Here are some of the new features added to Firefox 18:
- Faster JavaScript performance via IonMonkey compiler
- Support for Retina Display on OS x 10.7 and up
- Preliminary support for WebRTC
- Support for new DOM property ( windows.devicePixelRatio )
- Improvement in startup time through smart handling of signed extensions certificates
- Support for W3C touch events implemented, taking the place of MozTouch events
- Improved responsiveness for user on proxies
To install it in Ubuntu, press Ctrl – Alt – T on your keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the commands below to add its PPA.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-mozilla-security/ppa
Finally, run the commands below to update your system and upgrade Firefox.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to download Firefox 18 for Windows and Mac?
To download Firefox 18 for Windows and Mac, visit the download page on Mozilla.org and get a copy. Alternatively, open your current version of Firefox, go to Firefox -> Help -> About Firefox, and update from there.
What are the new features in Firefox 18?
Some new features in Firefox 18 include faster JavaScript performance with IonMonkey compiler, Retina Display support on OS X 10.7 and up, preliminary WebRTC support, new DOM property windows.devicePixelRatio, improved startup time, support for W3C touch events, and enhanced responsiveness for users on proxies.
How to install Firefox 18 on Ubuntu?
To install Firefox 18 on Ubuntu, open the terminal by pressing Ctrl - Alt - T on your keyboard. Then, add the PPA by running 'sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-mozilla-security/ppa', followed by 'sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade' to update your system and upgrade Firefox.
Which browser engine does Firefox 18 use?
Firefox 18 uses the IonMonkey JavaScript compiler as its engine, replacing the SpiderMonkey engine used in previous versions. IonMonkey is designed to provide faster JavaScript performance for web games and long-lived web applications.
What is BananaBread in relation to Firefox 18?
BananaBread is a 3D web game developed by Mozilla's Developer Network in HTML5, WebGL, and JavaScript. It is used by Mozilla to showcase the performance of the IonMonkey JavaScript compiler in Firefox 18.
How does Firefox 18 improve JavaScript performance?
Firefox 18 improves JavaScript performance by implementing the IonMonkey JavaScript compiler, which Mozilla claims outperforms the previous SpiderMonkey engine by more than 25%. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for web games and long-lived web applications.
Where can Android users get Firefox 18?
Android users can download Firefox 18 from the Google Play Store. Simply search for Firefox 18 in the store and download it to your Android device to enjoy the latest features and improvements.
What is the smart handling of signed extensions certificates in Firefox 18?
In Firefox 18, the smart handling of signed extensions certificates contributes to an improvement in startup time. This feature ensures that signed extensions certificates are efficiently managed, leading to a faster and smoother startup process for the browser.
