Firefox 102 has just been released by the Mozilla Foundation. One major Linux-specific change is the addition of GeoClue geolocation support, as well as a new PDF viewer.

Firefox 102 Linux Enhancements

Firefox 102's major enhancement for Linux is its support for the GeoClue service. GeoClue is a Linux-specific service for the D-bus message service that allows programs running on the same machine to communicate with each other. GeoClue is a service that approximates a user's location and allows apps that use geolocation to function, such as mapping apps.

Firefox 102 Linux 64-bit download

The move was made to line up Firefox's behavior with how other Linux apps handled location data, according to a Mozilla bug report.

In the context of Firefox, GeoClue allows the Linux version of Firefox to work with websites like Google Maps and streaming services like Netflix or HBO Max to serve up content for a user's location.

Another change is a new PDF viewer that fixes some rendering bugs, according to OMG! Ubuntu!

How Can Linux Users Get Firefox 102?

Because Firefox is the default browser on many Linux desktops, including Ubuntu, most users will opt to receive it as an automatic update through their package manager. Because distribution maintainers typically regard internet-facing software like web browsers as security-critical, they'll likely push out Firefox 102 quickly to their users. Impatient users can just download Firefox 102 directly from the download page.

Can Firefox 102 Keep Firefox Relevant?

While Mozilla stresses Firefox's greater privacy protections over Google Chrome, including the ability to hide user location data to avoid government or commercial surveillance, the reality is that Mozilla Firefox has fallen to a distant fourth place behind Chrome, Safari, and even Microsoft Edge as of June 2022, according to Statcounter.

It will likely take more than just geolocation and PDF viewer changes to win back users who have long since switched to Chrome. It's not clear if stressing privacy may attract more users unless they see how what they do online may affect them in the real world.

Firefox Still Burning Bright With Version 102

Despite being far less popular than in its glory days in the 2000s, the browser still commands a loyal following of those with privacy concerns and by adding features to enhance the browsing experience of power users. One useful newer feature is Collections, which allows users to organize open tabs.