Firefox 4 beta unveils multitouch

 

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By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 12 Aug 2010 at 14:08

The latest beta for Firefox 4 includes multitouch features for Windows 7.

The third beta of the next version of Mozilla's browser includes the API to support touch gestures so users can interact with the web using only their fingers.

"This means that regular webpages are capable of using multitouch input, allowing web developers to create new interactive experiences for their websites," noted Mozilla developer Felipe Gomes in a blog post.

At the moment, the touch system only works with Windows 7.

The beta also brings an update to the C++ representation of JavaScript, allowing it to "execute heavy, numeric code more efficiently," said Firefox director Mike Beltzner in a post in the Mozilla blog.

"This sort of code is used to produce smooth, streamlined graphics in modern web applications," Beltzner added.

Previous betas have revealed Firefox 4 will feature a new user interface, crash protection for third-party plugins, and accelerated hardware support.

Men only

Half a million testers have submitted 3,500 comments each day to Mozilla since the arrival of its new feedback tool last month. A survey showed those testers were mostly men who use the web between two and six hours a day.

"This doesn’t come as a surprise to us, but it also isn’t a great representation of internet users," said Beltzner. "If you’re enjoying using the Firefox 4 beta, tell your friends, get them set up and don’t forget to point out the feedback button."

Beltzner said Mozilla had two more beta releases lined up before the release of the final version of Firefox 4 later this year.