Firefox 3.5 Ready for Download

Just released yesterday, Mozilla's latest version of its Firefox browser for Mac and Windows is full of new features, from enhanced privacy to new video standards. We haven't formally reviewed Firefox 3.5, but here are a few features that we think are interesting:

Private browsing mode. Enabling this feature is supposed to remove any trace of the Web sites you visit while in this mode. No cookies, history, or any other trace of your visit is saved. Other browsers, such as Internet Explorer 8 and Google Chrome, also have this option.

Location-aware browsing. This one seems like the opposite of private browsing. It tells Firefox where you are so it can provide more-targeted information. Fortunately, you can turn it off at will.

Open video and audio. No more plug-ins necessary for viewing video and listening to audio online.

Speed. Mozilla says Firefox 3.5 is twice as fast as Firefox 3, and 10 times faster than Firefox 2.

You can download the new browser here. —Donna Tapellini