Firefox 9 Released: Faster JavaScript Performance

Firefox 9 Released: Significant Performance Enhancements

Mozilla has recently launched the newest iteration of its widely-used Firefox browser. This update incorporates enhancements to the JavaScript rendering engine, potentially resulting in performance gains of up to 30% compared to the prior version.

Mozilla states that the newly implemented Type Interface within the SpiderMonkey JavaScript engine works in conjunction with the current compiler. This integration facilitates the delivery of more efficient code execution in a reduced timeframe.

Key Features and Improvements

Beyond the core performance boost, several other notable features have been added. Mac OS X Lion compatibility is now included, with Firefox for OS X introducing a two-finger swipe gesture for seamless website navigation.

The Mac version also benefits from a refined user interface designed to be more consistent with Lion’s aesthetics. This update also simplifies web browsing across multiple monitors.

Mobile Updates for Android

Users of Android devices will also receive an update to the browser’s mobile application. The latest release is specifically optimized to leverage the larger screen real estate offered by tablet devices.

This optimization includes support for swiping gestures, a user interface tailored for tablets, and the addition of new HTML5 form validation capabilities.

Under-the-Hood Enhancements

The desktop version of Firefox has undergone numerous internal refinements. It is now possible to detect a user’s ‘Do Not Track’ preference utilizing JavaScript.

Furthermore, support for CSS, HTML5, and MathML has been significantly improved. A comprehensive list of all changes can be found in the Firefox 9 release notes.

Download: Firefox Desktop (Windows, Mac & Linux) @ Mozilla.org

Download: Firefox for Android @ Android Market

Source & Image: Mozilla Blog