Just over a month after Firefox 13 arrived, Mozilla is back with Firefox 14. This release is largely focused on security improvements, though there are a few feature additions worth noting for both Mac and general users.
Encrypted Google Searches
The headline security change in Firefox 14 is automatic encryption of Google searches made through the browser. Any search you run through the address bar or search field is now sent over a secure connection by default. This is particularly useful for users on wireless networks, where unencrypted traffic is more vulnerable to interception. It is a straightforward improvement that benefits every Firefox user without requiring any setup.
Pointer Lock API and Full Screen Browsing
Firefox 14 adds support for the Pointer Lock API, which gives web-based apps and games improved control over mouse input. As HTML5 content becomes more prevalent, this kind of low-level browser capability matters more than it might seem on the surface. Games in particular benefit from being able to capture and control cursor movement directly.
Mac users also get full screen browsing mode in Firefox 14, bringing the browser in line with Chrome and Safari which have offered the feature for some time. Full screen support was first introduced at the OS level with Mac OS X Lion, so it is good to finally see Firefox take advantage of it properly.
Metro Mode Still Not Ready
One feature that did not make it into Firefox 14 is the Metro browsing mode. Mozilla has shown off the concept of a touch-optimised Firefox interface, but a public release is still not ready. It remains something to watch for in a future update.
Firefox 14 for Android is also available. Click here to read more and download it.
Download Firefox 14