Mozilla is rolling out its latest stable version of Firefox browser to the public today. It is in the version 3 RC (Release candidate) 1. Not only this Firefox 3 RC1 view as a first major new release in nearly 19 months, we can see it as a new browser that provides numerous rich Internet experience to the Firefox lovers. I am as a Firefox rabid user, I will download my copy after this post.

There are many notable features can be found on this Firefox 3 RC1, albeit that the final version will only be released probably in late May. This new version is driven by technological advancement in areas such as more secure, more easy to use, more personal, etc. Performance wise, it should be more faster, as now this browser was bundled with a smart bookmarking offering. Additionally, users will find this new version available in more than 45 languages and it can be downloaded to Windows, Mac or Linux platforms.

Since Firefox 3 RC1 is served as a testing purpose, not all the add-ons are applicable in use with this version of browser. Users without this understanding when upgrading to this version may risk losing some of their favorite add-ons.

via [mozilla developer center]

The first developer tool of Opera browser, Opera Dragonfly will be officially released on May 6th, 2008. The inquisitive may request beta access, but there was no way to get it now. At this moment, you only can find more details of it on this blog post.

Last August, I did a brief introduction on the launched of Google Sky, now Google has took it one step forward by launching a browser-based Google Sky. For me, it sounds like they’re relaunching this Google Sky. It is not the same old version of Google Sky, as I profiled in my previous post, i.e. an added new feature that existed within the Google Earth software, but users can access to it simply through a Web browser, and no software needed to download in order to use it.

According to the official Google blog, this browser-based Google Sky was done by an intern at Google, namely Diego Gavinowich. He came from Buenos Aires and was a finalist in Google’s Latin America Code Jam. It should be noted that he completed this Web version alongside with other staff engineers at Google within his internship at Google.

Since it is a browser-based Google Sky, users will be able to view the sky, search for the planets and galaxies, in addition to zoom in and out and pan around the celestial bodies. With this new release, Google now can deliver this wonderful experience to an ever larger circle of users (some users’ PCs didn’t support the software version of Google earth.) Apparently, this browser-based Google Sky is an example of Google moving back its application into browser-based, as Google is an Internet firm, we can’t imagine that we had to download a Web client in order to experience their new offerings.

I think this browser-based Google Sky is terrific, as viewed from its features that reported by Google LatLong:

- Powerful search that lets you browse tens of thousands of named objects.
- Three optical sky surveys that show you what your naked eye would see if it had a really good zoom lens. Try switching to infrared, microwave, ultraviolet, or x-ray to see the sky in a completely different light. Or blend between these views to create unique visualizations on the fly.
- Galleries highlighting the best images from Hubble and many other telescopes.
- Current planet positions and constellations.
- Overlays of custom KML content. (Simply paste a Sky KML URL into the search box, just like on Google Maps.)
- Last but not least, the Earth & Sky podcasts gallery is not to be missed, particularly for those who run a classroom.

There is also a video clip about this new release of Google, as embedded in the below.

via [The Official Google Blog]

I’ve been follow-up a news that surrounding Baidu, the China search giant and Maxthon, a popular Chinese browser for a couple of days. A buzz from the China Internet industry stated that Baidu has acquired Maxthon for an undisclosed sum. There is certainly no confirmation about this news, and yet no official announcement can be found on Baidu or Maxthon’s site. Frankly, I putting this rumor at mostly 50% to be true. In last year April, the first Internet company that has vast interest on Maxthon was Google (read my April 2007 post). Though buying a browser and make it an asset, so whenever an user in China used this particular browser, the first landing search engine will be Google or Baidu, for Google or Baidu, this is indeed not a necessary move for them.

Apparently, Maxthon browser has great appeal for Baidu or Google, because it is made-in China. While buying Maxthon raises a question of ROI (Return on Investment), but this news offers tips that Baidu has quietly expanded its product lines. Nevertheless, no news is not a good news for Baidu. Perhaps reading a newest article posted by China Web 2.0 Review will tell you more about the secrets of Baidu’s investment.

Last December when Microsoft announced its soon-to-be launched Internet Explorer (IE) 8 passed the Acid2 test, we probably know that this most popular browser will going to be released to the public in this year. Now, the IE blog reported the IE 8 public version will be released within the first half of 2008. However, I think what catch our eyes is an invitation email that posted by ActiveWin, talked about the IE8 Beta 1 is currently focused on the developer community, and assume you’re a developer and have been selected by Microsoft Connect, you can help out reviewing patches and getting them uploaded.

Nevertheless, this beta testing is conducted through invitation, that’s no way one can experience with a certain package and want to triage bugs without the Microsoft invitation email.

I am in a mix feeling when reading Netscape blog on the end of the Netscape browser. According to them, they will not support the Netscape browser after 1st March 2008, initially they decided to discontinue the support after February 1, 2008. Also, noted that after 1st March, we’ll see the Netscape browser users will split into two different group of users, Mozilla (behind Firefox) and Flock as they appear to be benefited by this decision. Meanwhile, Netscape is reminding all its browser lovers to make a switch to Firefox or Flock, or continue to use Netscape’s latest version, i.e. Navigator 9.0.0.6 until 1st March.

There is a new add-on called PDF Download that was just released in the Firefox recommended add-ons page. What’s great you can find about this add-on is the control mechanism of this software; it allowed users to decide how they want to deal with the PDF files in Firefox browser. In their own words, this add-on enable:

- Stop PDF files crashing your browser.
- Stop PDF files taking forever to open.
- Make PDF files download like other files in Firefox.

After you download it, click on any PDF file when you use Firefox in surfing the Web, there will be a dialog box prompted you on a variety of choices on what you would like to do with the file: Download it, Open PDF, View as HTML, Bypass PDF Download, or Cancel the action.

Download and enjoy.

AOL has announced that they won’t provide any support on Netscape browser after February 1, 2008. In matter of fact, the shrinking of user base with the stiff competition likely put the end of a browser’s era. However, the Internet portal of Netscape will always open to serve the other needs of their users, but not that surprise, they recommended their existing users to switch to Firefox.

Indeed, people nowadays no longer speculate on the next generation of Netscape browser. What’s on their mind is how powerful the Firefox 3.0 when it ready to be released to the market. For existing Netscape browser users, a switch to Firefox is a wise move as Mozilla has provided more support on its browser through shorter release cycles.