For all those Android users that are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Fennec, a mobile app version of Firefox web browser, there is now a pre-alpha version offered for Droid handsets. This early preview is available thanks to a fan-compiled download that was posted on an Android developers forum.
This early version of Fennec came from the creative mind of German developer Martin Schirr, and the Android has been chosen as the test subject because it has the hardware-based keyboard and the touch input needed to support the new web browser. Since this early version of Fennec is 41 MB in size, tends to freeze and is prone to bugs, it is important to remember that this is just a testing stage and developers are aware that there are still a lot of kinks to work out. On the other hand, this pre-alpha mobile app does allow users to test out features like tabbed browsing, browser add-ons and tab synchronization between desktop and mobile devices.
Mozilla first announced their plans to bring Fennec to Android about nine months ago when Google released a new Android that used the same programming language as Firefox — C/C++ programming languages. Followers who have been anticipating the launch of the Fennec are wondering what’s taking Mozilla so long to create this mobile app. Although this pre-alpha version is available, the quality of the program is disappointing to fans who were hoping a high quality version would be out by now.
Other mobile app web browsers have already started gaining popularity since the time that Mozilla first announced plans to bring Fennec to Android. Additionally, Windows has announced that they will launch a new mobile operating system by the end of 2010 — the Windows Phone 7 Series. The updated version of the Internet Explorer Mobile app on the new Windows system will directly compete with Fennec and offer its users many of the same features including multi-touch gesture support and tabbed browsing.
As of today, Mozilla is expected to release a fully functioning version of Fennec around the same time Windows releases their new mobile operating system. So for now, the pre-alpha Fennec is available as a preview for all the Android users that are too anxious to wait for the actual release by Mozilla. Just keep in mind that pre-alpha Fennec is not meant for daily use.
Written by Jackie M.