Firefox 29 Pulls from Google Chrome's Playbook, Works Well

This week, many of us are kicking the tires on the new version 29 of the Firefox browser, which is more than just an incremental release falling within Mozilla's rapid release cycle. Version 29 includes the Australis interface, which has been in the works for five years and gives the browser several features similar to the ones found in Google Chrome. So far, I like version 29, and its updated look and feel are impressive.

Australis featues redesigned tabs, which have the rounder corners found in Google Chrome, and Firefox version 29 also serves up a menu on the right side of the screen similar to the one that you can pull up in Chrome. When you update to version 29, you also get offered a tab that includes a guide to the new browser.

Mozilla has also served up a video, available here, which summarizes some of version 29's new features. According to Mozilla's announcement:

"The first thing you’ll notice in Firefox is the beautiful new design that makes it easy to focus on your Web content. The tabs are sleek and smooth to help you navigate the Web faster. It’s easy to see what tab you’re currently visiting and the other tabs fade into the background to be less of a distraction when you’re not using them."

"The Firefox menu has moved to the right corner of the toolbar and puts all your browser controls in one place. The menu includes a 'Customize' tool that transforms Firefox into a powerful customization mode where you can add or move any feature, service or add-on. This level of Firefox customization puts you in control of your Web experience and is unmatched by any other browser."

"The new Firefox Sync service is a safe and easy way to take your Firefox everywhere. Firefox Sync gives you access to Awesome Bar browsing history, saved passwords, bookmarks, open tabs and form data across your computers and mobile Android devices. It is powered by Firefox Accounts and simplifies the setup and device syncing process."

Here's a look at the rounded off tabs and the right-side "Customize" menu pulled up: