Goodbye, Internet Explorer! Firefox for Windows 8 Touch Beta has arrived

By Konrad Krawczyk Published February 7, 2014

firefox for windows 8 touch beta released download 600x450 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’ve warmed up to Windows 8’s tiled Modern/Metro user interface, you have a new Web browsing option to play with.

Mozilla announced via an official blog post that it has released Firefox for Windows 8 Touch Beta. This isn’t a standard Firefox browser beta release. This is an app designed for Windows 8’s tiled UI. You can snag the beta by downloading it here.

Recommended Videos

Firefox for Windows 8 Touch Beta supports touch gestures like swiping and pinch to zoom, as well as full-screen and snap views. You can also share content from the Firefox app using the Windows 8 Share charm.

Considering that this is a beta release, you should expect to encounter bugs and/or other quirks that have yet to be worked out. One of the known bugs you may come across when using Firefox for Windows 8 Touch Beta includes a freezing issue. Mozilla says that if you’re playing a flash video in full-screen mode, putting the Firefox app in the background and then bringing it back to full-screen view will lock up the app. So, don’t do that. If you encounter any bugs while using the app beta, and you feel like reporting them to Mozilla, you can do so here.

The release of the Firefox for Windows 8 Touch Beta likely means that the completed version of the app will hit in the near future. When it does get released, we’ll follow up with a full review of the app.

What do you think of the Firefox for Windows 8 Touch Beta? Sound off in the comments below.

Topics

Konrad Krawczyk

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…

Computing

The Keychron K8 is the mechanical keyboard for Mac that (almost) has it all

keychron k8 mechanical keyboard review 3

Finding a good mechanical keyboard can be a complicated affair. The search is made worse if you are a Mac user and want one that plays nice with your device, as the mech market is heavily tilted toward Windows users. The Keychron K8, however, might be just what you are looking for.

That is because it is a rare breed: A mechanical keyboard that comes with a Mac layout. By default, all the keycaps are ready-made for Mac use (there are Windows keycaps in the box if you want to switch). There are even dedicated Siri/Cortana and screenshot buttons (great on a Mac). Throw in a very reasonable starting price of $69 (most quality mechanical keyboards are $100-plus) and we are off to a good start.

Computing

This Lenovo ThinkPad is almost $1,800 off today!

A press photo of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11.

One of the best laptops for a busy computer-heavy workplace is the Lenovo ThinkPad. For years, this tried and true laptop and 2-in-1 has delivered a fast and reliable Windows experience to many a 9 to 5 go-getter. Processor speed and power evolve year over year, and new features are added to these laptops all the time. This also means you’ll be able to find discounts on older machines, which is precisely what we came across while scouring through Lenovo ThinkPad deals:

Right now, as part of Lenovo’s doorbuster sale, you’ll save $1,800 on the purchase of a brand-new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 when you order through Lenovo.

Computing

Runway brings precise camera controls to AI videos

Gen-3 alpha advanced camera controls

Content creators will have more control over the look and feel of their AI-generated videos thanks to a new feature set coming to Runway's Gen-3 Alpha model.

Advanced Camera Control is rolling out on Gen-3 Alpha Turbo starting today, the company announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter).