8 ms·

Firefox for iOS 32

53 points by pzmarzly 6y ago

emptyparadise 6y ago
Why?
- MrMid 6y ago
  Because Google is a major source of funding for Mozilla. I don't remember details, but they tried to be funded by other search providers. It didn't provide enough funding, though. I guess promoting Google search is essential for them to keep building great products. And guard net neutrality. If we don't like it, we are probably not donating enough.
  - emptyparadise 6y ago
    I love Firefox, it's still a great browser, but it's really sad to have "management made us add this trash feature so Mozilla can keep the lights on" updates every couple of months.
  - gogopuppygogo 6y ago
    I buy their VPN but can’t use it due to lack of Mac support. Nice way to support them and show them they can build useful services we will pay for simultaneously.
    - sampling 6y ago
      Mozilla VPN is now available on Mac![1] As of December last year I believe [2] [1] https://vpn.mozilla.org/ https://vpn.mozilla.org/ [2] https://www.engadget.com/mozilla-vpn-mac-linux-201939740.html https://www.engadget.com/mozilla-vpn-mac-linux-201939740.htm...
      - robin_reala 6y ago
        …in only a handful of markets. As a user in Sweden I wouldn’t complain too much, if it weren’t for the fact that the VPN platform they’ve built on is literally Swedish.
    - NilsIRL 6y ago
      Shameless plug! You can use MozWire[0] to generate wireguard configuration files for Mozilla VPN. [0]: https://github.com/NilsIrl/MozWire https://github.com/NilsIrl/MozWire
  - emaro 6y ago
    The reason I think about a Pocket Premium subscription. However I'd prefer paying 20$ a year with no perks (or let's say just the premium fonts) over paying 50$ for features I don't need.
  - Shadonototro 6y ago
    money goes to mozilla, not firefox [1] doesn't seems to be well spent [2] [1] https://www.pcmag.com/news/mozilla-signs-lucrative-3-year-google-search-deal-for-firefox https://www.pcmag.com/news/mozilla-signs-lucrative-3-year-go... [2] http://calpaterson.com/mozilla.html http://calpaterson.com/mozilla.html
katmannthree 6y ago
This is rather perplexing, adding a link to Google on the homepage was worth a major version number? There’s not even the standard changelog courtesy line about various bugs being fixed.
- ferdek 6y ago
  Hey Mozilla, interrogative: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? You want to tell us you're in bed with Google now?
  - eznzt 6y ago
    News flash: Google has almost completely funded Mozilla since forever.
    - ferdek 6y ago
      <insert astronauts meme>
      - kiepski 6y ago
        It Was Agatha All Along
    - spyridonas 6y ago
      Yeah,just like Intel saved AMD from bankruptcy. And Microsoft saved Apple.
- sydd 6y ago
  I think they are on a release train, AKA they will make a major release every X weeks if there is anything to ship. I guess they are either starved of resources (see recent layoffs) of are working on something big
- uallo 6y ago
  Compare v31 with v32: https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/firefox-ios/compare/v31.0...v32.0 https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/firefox-ios/compare/v31.0....
Tomte 6y ago
I thought with the new iOS and its support for alternative default web browsers I'd switch over in a heartbeat. I didn't. There's one thing I absolutely demand and which I hadn't thought they would leave out: support for ad blocking. I'm using Firefox Focus as my ad blocker in Safari. Why can't I use it (another Mozilla product!) in Firefox?
- sydd 6y ago
  You can in Android. If its not available in iOS its because Apple forces them to use Safari's Webkit and it does not have the API for it.
  - intellirogue 6y ago
    You can use the Firefox Focus browser in iOS, which has ad blocking built in, but can't use it as an adblocker for the main Firefox browser. I suspect that's due to the app sandboxing - there's no way for Focus (as a standalone app) to intercept and modify requests for Firefox (another standalone app). Mozilla could ship a copy of regular Firefox with the Focus features built in, but seem to want people to just use the Firefox Focus Browser instead (though that lacks the full feature set of Firefox).
    - Tomte 6y ago
      I think Chrome can use Focus for ad-blocking. Am I wrong? I thought the content blocking API was open to other browsers.
- emaro 6y ago
  I'm using Firefox Focus as my default browser. It's really nice, because when I use global search or just click on a link, in 99% I want to quickly check sth and then forget about it. Firefox Focus suits that use case almost perfectly. Sadly it's a bit buggy.
- mattlutze 6y ago
  Firefox for iOS has a suite of tracking protection features built in, including a strict ad blocking service. I've not gone to compare them both -- are you sure that what's in Firefox Focus for iOS isn't also in Firefox?
PostThisTooFast 6y ago
Doesn’t Apple force all browsers to use WebKit on iOS? If so, there’s basically one browser with different skins. And all the same bugs.
thatgerhard 6y ago
Howe about fixing the losing of pinned tabs bug that seems to plague this browser. I switched back to chrome after a couple of months of firefox. I was just done with starting over every morning.
laurensr 6y ago
Unfortunately all alternative browsers on iOS are forced to use Safari's webview. So they can't fix rendering issues or, e.g. support newer WebRTC features than stock Safari does.
- mcfedr 6y ago
  It's quite amazing no one is suing apple on this front yet. It would seem to be an easy case to make given the microsoft IE history
  - suprfnk 6y ago
    Apple is not a monopoly and can do what it wants.
    - mhh__ 6y ago
      Trust != monopoly
      - selectodude 6y ago
        Apple isn't a trust either.
  - dmitriid 6y ago
    Suing Apple for what, exactly? And no, as a user, I don't want Chrome on iOS. Here are just some of the reasons: https://webapicontroversy.com https://webapicontroversy.com
    - seppel 6y ago
      > And no, as a user, I don't want Chrome on iOS. Then don't install it. Seems to be quite simple.
      - cyrksoft 6y ago
        Then don't buy an iPhone. Seems to be quite simple ;)
captn3m0 6y ago
What I'd like to see in a soon-release: - Time limits on websites. Despite being forced to use Webkit, Firefox doesn't support this somehow. - Support for content blocking via third-party extensions
- markdown 6y ago
  > - Time limits on websites What would this look like?
  - codethief 6y ago
    I suppose GP is referring to something like Leechblock[0] but baked directly into Firefox (and, if I may add a wish, with full Firefox Sync support). [0]: https://www.proginosko.com/leechblock/ https://www.proginosko.com/leechblock/
  - djxfade 6y ago
    Safari already supports this through the Screen time feature
  - captn3m0 6y ago
    https://www.guidingtech.com/block-safari-screen-time-ios-12/ https://www.guidingtech.com/block-safari-screen-time-ios-12/
mattlutze 6y ago
I'd really like to see it support native iOS password manager new credential storing and credential updating. The feature in Safari to ask and store a new account makes using the password minder much easier, and being locked into "use our Firefox one or you can only read from others" is really lame.
wooger 6y ago
Sadly Safari is the only useable iOS browser, as it's the only one where Content Blockers work for ad blocking.
- j0hnml 6y ago
  DNS-level ad blocking is a pretty good alternative, and it works well for non-Safari apps in my experience. I use nextdns and recommend it. You can tailor the blocklists to your liking as well.
jonplackett 6y ago
I wonder if iOS will live to see version 32.

Firefox for iOS 32

53 points by pzmarzly 6y ago

emptyparadise 6y ago

Why?

MrMid 6y ago
Because Google is a major source of funding for Mozilla. I don't remember details, but they tried to be funded by other search providers. It didn't provide enough funding, though. I guess promoting Google search is essential for them to keep building great products. And guard net neutrality. If we don't like it, we are probably not donating enough.
- emptyparadise 6y ago
  I love Firefox, it's still a great browser, but it's really sad to have "management made us add this trash feature so Mozilla can keep the lights on" updates every couple of months.
- gogopuppygogo 6y ago
  I buy their VPN but can’t use it due to lack of Mac support. Nice way to support them and show them they can build useful services we will pay for simultaneously.
  - sampling 6y ago
    Mozilla VPN is now available on Mac![1] As of December last year I believe [2] [1] https://vpn.mozilla.org/ https://vpn.mozilla.org/ [2] https://www.engadget.com/mozilla-vpn-mac-linux-201939740.html https://www.engadget.com/mozilla-vpn-mac-linux-201939740.htm...
    - robin_reala 6y ago
      …in only a handful of markets. As a user in Sweden I wouldn’t complain too much, if it weren’t for the fact that the VPN platform they’ve built on is literally Swedish.
  - NilsIRL 6y ago
    Shameless plug! You can use MozWire[0] to generate wireguard configuration files for Mozilla VPN. [0]: https://github.com/NilsIrl/MozWire https://github.com/NilsIrl/MozWire
- emaro 6y ago
  The reason I think about a Pocket Premium subscription. However I'd prefer paying 20$ a year with no perks (or let's say just the premium fonts) over paying 50$ for features I don't need.
- Shadonototro 6y ago
  money goes to mozilla, not firefox [1] doesn't seems to be well spent [2] [1] https://www.pcmag.com/news/mozilla-signs-lucrative-3-year-google-search-deal-for-firefox https://www.pcmag.com/news/mozilla-signs-lucrative-3-year-go... [2] http://calpaterson.com/mozilla.html http://calpaterson.com/mozilla.html

katmannthree 6y ago

This is rather perplexing, adding a link to Google on the homepage was worth a major version number? There’s not even the standard changelog courtesy line about various bugs being fixed.

ferdek 6y ago
Hey Mozilla, interrogative: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? You want to tell us you're in bed with Google now?
- eznzt 6y ago
  News flash: Google has almost completely funded Mozilla since forever.
  - ferdek 6y ago
    <insert astronauts meme>
    - kiepski 6y ago
      It Was Agatha All Along
  - spyridonas 6y ago
    Yeah,just like Intel saved AMD from bankruptcy. And Microsoft saved Apple.
sydd 6y ago
I think they are on a release train, AKA they will make a major release every X weeks if there is anything to ship. I guess they are either starved of resources (see recent layoffs) of are working on something big
uallo 6y ago
Compare v31 with v32: https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/firefox-ios/compare/v31.0...v32.0 https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/firefox-ios/compare/v31.0....

Tomte 6y ago

I thought with the new iOS and its support for alternative default web browsers I'd switch over in a heartbeat. I didn't. There's one thing I absolutely demand and which I hadn't thought they would leave out: support for ad blocking. I'm using Firefox Focus as my ad blocker in Safari. Why can't I use it (another Mozilla product!) in Firefox?

sydd 6y ago
You can in Android. If its not available in iOS its because Apple forces them to use Safari's Webkit and it does not have the API for it.
- intellirogue 6y ago
  You can use the Firefox Focus browser in iOS, which has ad blocking built in, but can't use it as an adblocker for the main Firefox browser. I suspect that's due to the app sandboxing - there's no way for Focus (as a standalone app) to intercept and modify requests for Firefox (another standalone app). Mozilla could ship a copy of regular Firefox with the Focus features built in, but seem to want people to just use the Firefox Focus Browser instead (though that lacks the full feature set of Firefox).
  - Tomte 6y ago
    I think Chrome can use Focus for ad-blocking. Am I wrong? I thought the content blocking API was open to other browsers.
emaro 6y ago
I'm using Firefox Focus as my default browser. It's really nice, because when I use global search or just click on a link, in 99% I want to quickly check sth and then forget about it. Firefox Focus suits that use case almost perfectly. Sadly it's a bit buggy.
mattlutze 6y ago
Firefox for iOS has a suite of tracking protection features built in, including a strict ad blocking service. I've not gone to compare them both -- are you sure that what's in Firefox Focus for iOS isn't also in Firefox?

PostThisTooFast 6y ago

Doesn’t Apple force all browsers to use WebKit on iOS? If so, there’s basically one browser with different skins. And all the same bugs.

thatgerhard 6y ago

Howe about fixing the losing of pinned tabs bug that seems to plague this browser. I switched back to chrome after a couple of months of firefox. I was just done with starting over every morning.

laurensr 6y ago

Unfortunately all alternative browsers on iOS are forced to use Safari's webview. So they can't fix rendering issues or, e.g. support newer WebRTC features than stock Safari does.

mcfedr 6y ago
It's quite amazing no one is suing apple on this front yet. It would seem to be an easy case to make given the microsoft IE history
- suprfnk 6y ago
  Apple is not a monopoly and can do what it wants.
  - mhh__ 6y ago
    Trust != monopoly
    - selectodude 6y ago
      Apple isn't a trust either.
- dmitriid 6y ago
  Suing Apple for what, exactly? And no, as a user, I don't want Chrome on iOS. Here are just some of the reasons: https://webapicontroversy.com https://webapicontroversy.com
  - seppel 6y ago
    > And no, as a user, I don't want Chrome on iOS. Then don't install it. Seems to be quite simple.
    - cyrksoft 6y ago
      Then don't buy an iPhone. Seems to be quite simple ;)

captn3m0 6y ago

What I'd like to see in a soon-release: - Time limits on websites. Despite being forced to use Webkit, Firefox doesn't support this somehow. - Support for content blocking via third-party extensions

markdown 6y ago
> - Time limits on websites What would this look like?
- codethief 6y ago
  I suppose GP is referring to something like Leechblock[0] but baked directly into Firefox (and, if I may add a wish, with full Firefox Sync support). [0]: https://www.proginosko.com/leechblock/ https://www.proginosko.com/leechblock/
- djxfade 6y ago
  Safari already supports this through the Screen time feature
- captn3m0 6y ago
  https://www.guidingtech.com/block-safari-screen-time-ios-12/ https://www.guidingtech.com/block-safari-screen-time-ios-12/

mattlutze 6y ago

I'd really like to see it support native iOS password manager new credential storing and credential updating. The feature in Safari to ask and store a new account makes using the password minder much easier, and being locked into "use our Firefox one or you can only read from others" is really lame.

wooger 6y ago

Sadly Safari is the only useable iOS browser, as it's the only one where Content Blockers work for ad blocking.

j0hnml 6y ago
DNS-level ad blocking is a pretty good alternative, and it works well for non-Safari apps in my experience. I use nextdns and recommend it. You can tailor the blocklists to your liking as well.

jonplackett 6y ago

I wonder if iOS will live to see version 32.