Mozilla Firefox for Android 40.0

Overview

Mozilla Firefox for Android is an alternative to the standard Google Chrome web browser app that comes pre-installed on just about all Android devices these days.

The Sharing feature within the settings is adaptive and will provide different sharing options depending on the type of content being viewed.

By default, a mobile site version will be sought when using a smaller Android device. However, there is a “Request Desktop site” feature to request that the server pull in the desktop version of a web page rather than the mobile page.

The Do Not Track feature can advise web sites not to track your movements and activity. This feature can be accessed within the settings.

Private Browsing can be turned on in order to access accounts anonymously. Useful when already logged into a web site as one user and wanting to access the same site either not signed in at all or as a different user (when having more than one account with the web site).

The Guest Browsing feature is also useful to keep web pages separate that a friend, family or partner have used when borrowing your device.

Installation

No extra software is installed when Firefox for Android is installed.

Interface

The interface is largely recognizable for anyone who has used Firefox on their desktop before. The same basic features are present.

The home screen will bring up a useful page with sections (by swiping left or right) for History, Top Sites and Bookmarks. This can quickly get the user to sites they've visited recently, most visited web sites, and their bookmarks.

As per usual, searches can be entered directly into the address box.

Pros

• Familiar, fast tabbed Firefox interface on Android
• Useful sharing feature that changes depending on what content/site is being viewed
• Option to “Request Desktop Site” for web sites, to avoid the mobile version loading
• Do Not Track feature available for more privacy
• Private Browsing to log into web sites more than once with different accounts or re-visit anonymously
• Guest Browsing for users who wish to share their Android device with another person and not mess up the tabs they have open
• Add on support with Mobile-compatible ones
• Low memory usage for the number of tabs opened

Cons

• Small bit of a learning curve for anyone used to another browser.
• Only mobile-ready add-ons will work with Android version

Alternatives

Google Chrome is one of the most popular alternatives. Many of the features are the same but it tends to use more memory for each tab left open and it will track sites visited to change the adverts shown to internet users.

Conclusion

Mozilla Firefox for Android is an excellent web browser for the Android system where many users own mid-range or basic smart phones with slow processors and limited available RAM.