Mozilla releases new Firefox versions every six to eight weeks, and Firefox 62 has just been released for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.
The release is built using Firefox Quantum, which the company calls "by far the biggest update since Firefox 1.0 in 2004." Most notably, version 62 brings Variable Fonts, automatic dark theme on macOS, and better scrolling on Android.
For desktop users, Firefox 62 supports Variable Fonts, which allows websites to use different typography with just a single font file. Usually, font families require a separate font file for each variation, resulting in more HTTP requests, and more data being downloaded. With Firefox 62, this is no longer the case.
This is because Variable Fonts contain additional data, which make it possible to generate different styles of the font on demand.
Variable Fonts are an evolution of the OpenType font specification.
Variables Fonts are supported for Edge 17+, Firefox 62+, Chrome 69+, Chrome for Android 69+, Safari 12+, and Safari for iOS 11.4+ browsers.
It should be noted that Linux needs Linux Freetype version to use Variable Fonts, and as for macOS, versions prior to 10.13 does not support variable fonts.
Another great addition worth highlighting is exclusive to macOS. Firefox 62 automatically enables dark theme when macOS Mojave is in dark mode.
Firefox 62 also brings some fun new features along with plenty of bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements that include improved graphics rendering for Windows users.
Desktop users will also have more options to control their tabs. Here, users can adjust the position and number of rows of content.
For example, users can have up to four rows of ‘Top Sites.’ Alternatively, they can also have as little as one row of sponsored content from Pocket, or they can remove it entirely.
Firefox users will also have an option to wipe their profile data when disconnecting from Firefox Sync services, an great addition that should be welcomed by those privacy concerned individuals. Using the feature, users can choose to delete bookmarks, passwords, history, cookies and other site data from their computer.
For mobile users, Firefox 62 also introduces some nifty features.
For iOS users, Firefox 62 has a new option for downloading files. Users can long-press any link to download a file easily. Firefox is also testing an experimental Pocket feature on iPad. The feature allows users to discover and watch videos through the read-it-later service.
Users can also easily change the theme from dark to light, manually or automatically. To do this, they can go to Settings > Display > Light or Dark, or automatically turn it on by using the Automatic switch.
Also for iOS users, switching and finding tabs should be easier as well, as users can search for their open tabs.
Uers on Android received some performance enhancements for scrolling and loading times. This is in line with Mozilla's attempt to from block third-party trackers, which typically slow down page loading times and risking users' privacy.
Firefox 62 is a minor update, but packs several quality of life improvements. According to a Mozilla spokesperson, Firefox 62 is "the groundwork for future releases that will help people feel safe online.”