The popular Google Browser Sync extension for Firefox, which synchronizes browser settings and information across multiple computers, is now an open source project. Google is distributing the Browser Sync source code under the BSD license and is making it available through a Subversion source control repository on the Google Code website.

This is a major reversal of Google's position on Browser Sync, and it will very likely save the add-on from extinction. Shortly before the official launch of Firefox 3, Google said that Browser Sync development would be discontinued and encouraged users to adopt Mozilla Weave or Foxmarks instead. The availability of the Browser Sync source code, however, will make it possible for the open source software community to collaboratively bring the add-on to the new version of Firefox.

I discovered that the Browser Sync code had been posted by Google when I was searching for new Firefox-related programs. Google hasn't officially announced the project yet and declined to respond to my request for additional information. According to the version control system the initial code drop took place on June 13, a few days before the official Firefox release. Additional information was published four days ago, including a wiki page that explains how to set up a proper environment for working on Browser Sync.

Unlike the regular version of the Browser Sync extension, which can't easily be modified because it uses heavy JavaScript compression, the version that is distributed through Google Code offers the unmangled JavaScript for third-party modification—65 separate files with detailed comments and proper formatting. This is a big win for end users and third-party developers, because it will make it easy to understand the protocol and extend the functionality. It could even make it possible for developers to integrate Google Browser Sync functionality into other applications.