BERLIN: Mozilla has given Firefox a feature update, with browser version 153 bringing new PDF editing functions, containers for greater privacy while browsing and additional protection mechanisms for locally stored files and networks.
An AI mode called Smart Window is also coming soon.
Also new is the ability to play high-contrast (HDR) videos on Windows: to do so, HDR mode must be enabled in the operating system's display settings.
Instead of sharing long web addresses, users can now share an open webpage via QR code. A right-click on the relevant tab and the selection of "Share/Generate QR Code" is all it takes. The QR code can then be sent or used in printed materials.
The PDF editor built into Firefox has been expanded with direct editing functions for PDF documents in the browser's PDF sidebar. Users can now merge different PDFs or individual PDF pages, insert images as new pages into PDF documents, or extract and save individual pages from PDFs.
Tab 'containers' for busy browsers
Firefox 153 also introduces so-called tab containers, which allow different areas of digital life – such as work, shopping, private browsing or banking – to be organised in separate, colour-coded tabs within the same browser window. Cookies remain isolated between individual containers and advertising tracking is separated between them.
Tab containers must first be enabled in the settings under "Tabs and Browsing/Tabs." Pages can then be opened via right-click as "Open link in new tab in container."
From Firefox 153, extensions are no longer allowed to access local files by default. There is now a separate permission for this, which users can grant or revoke independently of general access to website data.
Restrictions on access to local networks are also now enabled by default: websites must ask permission if they want to connect to devices on the local network or to applications and services on the user's own device.
AI mode tabs
Starting with version 135, a new AI mode tab called Smart Window is being rolled out to some users. It allows various AI models to be used directly and also includes the classic address bar.
It may be some time before Smart Window appears for all users. Those who have enabled "Block AI improvements" in the "AI settings" will not see Smart Window at all.
Firefox now also highlights the location icon in the address bar in red as soon as a website is able to access the user's location. And finally, the update closes more than 60 security vulnerabilities, according to Mozilla.
Users can check which browser version is installed in the settings menu under "Help/About Firefox." An update can also be triggered manually there once it is available. – dpa
