Download Firefox
In this blog, I will compare various features of both of these browsers. The features I mention are just a start. If you want to get to know these browsers, explore for yourself and decide which one you prefer.
Apps
Apps for Chrome can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store. There is a wide selection available. Some apps run offline (without an internet connection). You can also find apps for Chrome that are also available for Android.Apps for Firefox can be downloaded from the Firefox Marketplace. This is where apps for Firefox OS (for mobiles) are also downloaded. Not all apps are available for both platforms, though. (For help with this see: http://mzl.la/1AohSJ2)Extensions/Add-Ons
Extensions for Chrome are also downloaded from the Chrome Web Store.
Firefox calls extensions ‘Add-ons’ and they can be found in
Firefox’s add-ons page.
Both browsers have a wide selection of extensions/add-ons.
Themes
Chrome
has a large selection of themes available in the Chrome Web Store. You can look
specifically for themes created by Google or by artists.
A wide selection of themes for Firefox can be found on the add-ons site.
Hovering over the picture will allows you to preview how your browser will
look.
If you want to completely
change the way your browser looks, you can try a ‘complete theme’.
New Tab
Chrome’s new tab page displays thumbnails of your frequently
visited pages. Additionally, the bookmark bar is displayed along the top.
The background of the new tab page depends on which theme
you have.
If you have a dislike for
Chrome’s new tab page, ample alternatives can be found in the Chrome Web Store
Firefox’s
default new tab page isn’t very exciting. Some thumbnails appear based on
websites you’ve visited recently and you can ‘pin’ website you want to remain
there permanently or remove ones you don’t want. Apart from that there is negligible
customisation. You can, however, install a ‘new tab’ add-on to replace the
default one.
Bookmarks
To add a bookmark in Chrome, simply click the star in the
right side of the Omnibox. From here, you can change the thumbnail, title,
description and folder.
Chrome’s bookmark manager
is very visual. There is the option of sharing a folder of bookmarks with other
people.
In Firefox, new bookmarks can be easily added by clicking the star.
Clicking on the star again allows you to edit the bookmark – change its name,
move it to another folder (by default it goes into ‘Unsorted Bookmarks’), add
tags or just remove it.
Firefox’s bookmark manager
allows you to keep your bookmarks well organised.
Search Engines
Chrome
allows you to search from what it calls the ‘omnibox’ (the bar at the top).
Going to Chrome’s settings page allows you to manage your search engines: you
can change you default search or how you can easily search other website buy typing
its keyword and pressing tab.
You can add search engines to Firefox by going to the
‘search’ section of the ‘add-ons’ site or, if the website you are currently
visiting can be added, you will see a ‘+’ symbol in the search box.
Windows 8 Mode
When Chrome is set as your default browser in Windows 8, you
can select the ‘Windows 8 Mode’ option from the menu. This makes the app take
up your entire screen.
Along the bottom of the app, you can access your Chrome
apps; it somewhat resembles a Chrome desktop. If the app ‘works offline’ it
will open in a new ‘window’.
Firefox
was originally going to introduce a Windows 8 mode but this project was cancelled.
Special Features
When
you have no internet connection, you can play a game on Chrome by pressing the
spacebar. The aim is to get the dinosaur to leap over the cacti without bumping
into any.
Firefox
Hello is a feature which allows you to have video chats with people – you don’t
even need to sign in. It’s really simple to use, all you need to do it click the
icon then ‘start a conversation’. You then get a link for the conversation
which you can send to a friend.
Links you might be interest in...
Keep up-to-date with developments of these browsers on their blogs:
Over to You
Which browser do you prefer between Chrome and Firefox? Or, is there another browser you prefer? Feel free to let me know in the comments. In my next blog, I will look at new browsers which are still under development which could soon become your new favourite.
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