Mozilla recently launched Firefox 112 for desktop OS and Firefox 112 for Android, focusing primarily on security updates for the latter.
While the update is mainly centered around security enhancements, there are two notable new features that enhance the mobile browsing experience for users.
Users running Firefox on Android can update their browser through Google Play, with no option to expedite the process. Those who installed Firefox from another source will receive the update from that same source.
To check the current version of the browser, users can navigate to Menu > Settings > About Firefox.
Enhancements in Firefox 112 for Android
Mozilla introduced two key changes in Firefox for Android. Firstly, they added the “pull-to-refresh” gesture, allowing users to swipe down on a page to trigger a reload.
This common mobile browser feature is now available in Firefox for Android, complementing the traditional reload option found in Menu > Reload.
This gesture simplifies the reload process, offering users a convenient way to refresh pages without navigating through menus.
Secondly, Firefox now better handles websites that attempt to redirect users to their mobile applications. Websites often push users towards their apps for increased control over content delivery.
However, Firefox prompts users when such redirection attempts occur, allowing them to choose whether to proceed with launching the app or cancel the action. This feature prevents intrusive practices commonly seen on many websites.
While Mozilla’s implementation is effective, it’s worth noting that the Brave browser recently introduced a new filter list on its mobile version to block intrusive prompts outright. Firefox users utilizing uBlock Origin can also activate Fanboy’s Annoyance list in the browser settings to automatically hide such prompts for supported sites.
Apart from these new features, Firefox 112 for Android addresses various issues, including fixing playback problems with 10-bit videos and rectifying an error causing YouTube videos to switch to portrait mode during quality or speed adjustments.
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