Firefox 52: A Look Inside Mozilla’s Latest Release

We always keep an eye out for updates and new releases in the browser and testing community. As one of the top browsers, Firefox 52 promises a few new features that will surely excite developers.

Highlights include:

• Inclusion of WebAssembly – The most noteworthy feature of Firefox 52, in our opinion, is the added support for WebAssembly, a low-level programming language that will increase the performance of Javascript apps to make them run at “near-native speed.” WebAssembly has been in development since 2015 with contributors from Apple and Microsoft, so it must be good. We look forward to WebAssembly bringing improved performance to complex web apps, software libraries and intensive gaming like VR and augmented reality without needing plugins.

• Exclusion of NPAPI plugins – Goodbye insecure Netscape Plugin API including Java, Silverlight and Acrobat, though this should come as no surprise since Mozilla has been telling everyone it would happen since October 2015. Flash will still be supported in 52, but we have a feeling Firefox will follow Safari’s lead and fade that out soon, too.

• New Security Updates – Firefox 52 is also working towards patching up 28 critical security vulnerabilities (don’t get those numbers confused). Non-secure HTTP pages now display a distinct “This connection is not secure” note when you click to login or enter credit card information. Additionally, the Strict Secure Cookies specification ensures “Untrusted Connection” will show up if you encounter websites with certifications tied to the insecure SHA-1 algorithm to prevent cookies that are falsely attributed as secure. Thanks for the heads-up.

• An Answer for Captive Portals – Trouble accessing WiFi? Firefox’s update promises improved WiFi login to captive portals at mobile hotspots to answer hard to find login pages that aren’t being detecting by your OS. Now, those portals will be detected automatically and you’ll be notified to log in.

• Matching Developer Interests – Firefox 52 enabled CSS Grid Layout, which defines 18 new CSS properties and is a more simple way to code layout patterns, while boasting to open “a world of new possibilities for graphic design.” Bonus points: the Grid Inspector Tool and a redesigned Responsive Design Mode tool will be popular features, as well.

To view a complete breakdown of Firefox 52.0’s new, fixed, changed and unresolved features, take a look at the Release Notes.