Firefox version 52.0 released earlier today, and with it comes a slew of new features. Most notable among the additions to the browser is support for WebAssembly which allows for vastly improved performance in web-based apps.
WebAssembly is a new standard that “brings near-native performance to Web-based games, apps, and software libraries without the use of plugins.” Essentially, this means that developers using WebAssembly may see their web apps perform as well as an app that’s installed and runs directly on the user’s local hardware. This could be a boon for web developers and browser plugins as the performance will be on par with installed software and could lead to the end of the download and installation of apps.
Storage is a typical concern on smartphones, and apps are getting increasingly larger. Using WebAssembly, developers could bring the same app experience over the internet without requiring the user to install any kind of software.
We’ve already seen something similar in Google’s Native Client API (think: Google’s Chrome App Store). However, in keeping with Mozilla’s emphasis on community development and open-source tools, WebAssembly is non-proprietary and open-sourced. This update also makes Firefox the first browser to support the new standard.
Some other additions and changes include improved security features. Firefox will now warn users when they attempt to use a login field on non-HTTPS secured sites. There are a few other tweaks and changes that you can read about here.
Version 52.0, first offered to Release channel users on March 7, 2017
We'd also like to extend a special thank you to all of the new Mozillians who contributed to this release of Firefox!
new
Added support for WebAssembly, an emerging standard that brings near-native performance to Web-based games, apps, and software libraries without the use of plugins.
Added automatic captive portal detection, for easier access to Wi-Fi hotspots. When accessing the Internet via a captive portal, Firefox will alert users and open the portal login page in a new tab.
Added user warnings for non-secure HTTP pages with logins. Firefox now displays a “This connection is not secure” message when users click into the username and password fields on pages that don’t use HTTPS.
Implemented the Strict Secure Cookies specification which forbids insecure HTTP sites from setting cookies with the "secure" attribute. In some cases, this will prevent an insecure site from setting a cookie with the same name as an existing "secure" cookie from the same base domain.
Enhanced Sync to allow users to send and open tabs from one device to another.
Sam Medley - Senior Tech Writer - 1336 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2016
I've been a computer geek my entire life. After graduating college with a degree in Mathematics, I worked in finance and banking a few years before taking a job as a database administrator. I started working with Notebookcheck in October of 2016 and have enjoyed writing news and reviews. I've also written for other outlets including UltrabookReview and GeeksWorldWide, focusing on consumer guidance and video gaming. My areas of interest include the business side of technology, retro gaming, Linux, and innovative gadgets. When I'm not writing on electronics or tinkering with a device, I'm either outside with my family, enjoying a decade-old video game, or playing drums or piano.