Mozilla has launched a trio of experimental Firefox features, and it needs you to test them out. The new features are all at an early stage of development, and available in the Test Pilot program. And your feedback could help determine whether they make it into a future version of Firefox.
Firefox was once the major alternative to Internet Explorer, but then Chrome arrived to spoil Mozilla's party. Firefox is still popular, but it's no longer the force it once was. Now, Mozilla is putting a lot of work into Firefox in the hopes of competing with Chrome once again.
Three New Firefox Features to Test
To catch Chrome, Firefox will have to offer something new and innovative. Exciting features that Google hasn't yet built into Chrome. Which is where the Test Pilot program comes into play, as it enables Mozilla to test out experimental new features such as those outlined below...
Send
Send is a new web-based tool for sharing files with other internet users. It allows you to "send files through a safe, private, and encrypted link that automatically expires". Everything is encrypted on the client side, so not even Mozilla can access the files.
To use Send you simply drag and drop a file from your computer and it will be uploaded to Mozilla's servers. You'll then get a URL to share with other people, through which they can access the file. Once it has been downloaded it's deleted from Mozilla's servers.
Notes
Notes is a simple notepad that sits in your sidebar. Once enabled it will let you make notes as when you need to, all within the confines of Firefox. Mozilla is also adding support for Firefox Accounts, meaning you'll be able to sync your notes across multiple devices.
Voice Fill
Voice Fill adds speech-to-text functionality to Firefox. This means you'll be able to fill the search fields on websites using your voice rather than your fingers. Voice Fill is initially limited to Google, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo, but Mozilla is promising to add support for more sites in the future.
To test any of these experimental new features you'll have to join Mozilla's Test Pilot program.
Mozilla Sends a Warning to Google
This trio of experimental new features are a mixed bag. Neither Notes or Voice Fill are particularly groundbreaking, but they're solid additions to Firefox's box of tricks. However, Send is both innovative and interesting, so we really hope Mozilla builds that into a future version of Firefox.
Do you currently use Firefox as your default browser? If so, why? If not, what browser do you use instead? What do you think of these three experimental features? Would they improve Firefox to the point you'd start using it again? The comments are open below...
Image Credit: Mozilla in Europe via Flickr