Fenix, which is a codename, is a new browser for Android by Mozilla that will replace the current Firefox web browser for Android eventually. Fenix is open source and interested users may follow development on the project's GitHub website.

Firefox users interested in the new browser could not get it from Google Play up until now; this changed recently with the release of a preview version of the browser called Firefox Preview. Designed for beta testing and feedback, it is available to all Google Play users who sign up to participate in the testing.

Firefox Preview is based on Mozilla's Android Components and GeckoView. The preview version is considered beta; it lacks some features that Mozilla wants to implement before the final release. Users should expect bugs in the preview of Firefox for Android, and Mozilla expects them to report these bugs so that they may be fixed before the final release.

The release version of the new browser won't support all features of the current Firefox browser for Android. Extensions support is planned but won't be supported in early stable versions of the browser.

Mozilla aims for an end of June release. Firefox users who want to test the mobile browser right now can do so right now by following these steps:

Visit the following Mozilla website: https://events.mozilla.org/becomeabetatestingbughunter Join the Beta Testing Program on the site. Join the Firefox Fenix Nightly group on Google Groups: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/fenix-nightly Opt-in on Google Play to receive test builds of the mobile browser: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.mozilla.fenix Download the Firefox Preview browser from Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.fenix

The steps, with the exception of the last, won't be necessary anymore once Mozilla publishes a final version of the browser.

Here are a couple of screenshots of the new browser:

Firefox Preview will receive automatic updates after installation. Whether that is purely automated depends on the Play Store settings. The default setting updates applications automatically when the Android device is connected to a wireless network.

You can switch that to any network or don't update automatically in the Google Play Store settings.

Now You: What is your first impression of Firefox Preview? Any wishes? (via Sören Hentzschel)

Summary Article Name Mozilla Firefox Preview, new Firefox browser, is available on Google Play Description Android users may install the new Firefox web browser for the operating system, codename Fenix, from Google Play now. Author Martin Brinkmann Publisher Ghacks Technology News Logo

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