Mozilla Firefox browser for desktop and Android users has been updated with a number of new features as the browser reaches version 50.

Here’s a look at the new features for desktop users on Windows, Mac and Linux, as well as changes for Android users and developers.

New Firefox features for desktop, Android and developers

Desktop

• Built-in emojis: For operating systems, like Linux and Windows 8 or lower, that don’t include a native emoji font, Firefox 50 introduces built-in emojis.
• Keyboard shortcuts: There are updated keyboard shortcuts in Firefox 50. To view a web page in reader mode, press Ctrl+Alt+R (Windows users) or Command+Alt+R (Mac users). Users can also set a preference to have Ctrl+Tab cycle through tabs based on the order that they were recently viewed.
• Limit “Find” tool to whole words: Firefox 50 provides the option to limit a search to only whole words when using the Find tool.
• WebGL: The availability of WebGL has been increased for users running Firefox on Windows 7 or newer. WebGL is now available to more than 98 percent of users.
• Download protection: Firefox 50 also adds download protection for a long list of executable files for Windows, Mac and Linux users.
• WebM EME Support: Firefox 50 offers support for WebM EME on Windows and Mac allowing for streaming video on more sites without plugins.
• Improved SDK performance: FireFox 50 offers improved performance for software development kit extensions and extensions using the SDK module loader.
• Support for the Guarani language (locale)
• Security fixes: In Firefox 50 there are also various security fixes, you can view the full list here.

Android

Changes in Firefox 50 for Android users are minimal. A new feature for Firefox Android users is support for HTTP Live Streaming video through a player overlay. While the Firefox team has also combined the Recent Tabs and History panels to simplify the user interface.

Developer

Firefox 50 also brings various new features for developers, to view the full list of changes go to the Mozilla developer site.

Download Firefox 50

If you are new to Mozilla Firefox you can download a fresh install of Firefox 50 on the Mozilla Firefox site. If you are an existing desktop Firefox user you can update your browser to version 50, by clicking “?” icon (Help Menu button) at the bottom of the list > click “About Firefox.” The browser will update automatically and then request a software restart.    

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