Firefox has released the latest version of its internet browser, Firefox 19, which features a built-in HTML5-based PDF viewer.
Available to download now for Windows, Mac and Linux OS, Firefox 19 introduces an in-built Firefox PDF viewer that makes it possible to read PDFs within the browser window.
Users no longer need to download the PDF file or install a plugin like Adobe Reader in order to view a PDF, instead using the Firefox browser to view files like concert tickets, boarding passes or dense multi-page reports without interrupting the browsing experience.
Opening a PDF file from the hard drive or from a web link opens the file in the browser, using a simple but efficient interface with zooming options, full-screen presentation mode, and offers navigation by page number or visible page-by-page thumbnails. Unfortunately the Firefox 19 PDF viewer doesn’t support Mac gestures like the pinch-zooming, which is useful for quickly viewing specific PDF content.
Other than the PDF reader, akin to the one Google Chrome has sported for some time now, the updates provided by Firefox 19 are mostly geared towards developers. Aesthetically the Firefox web browser stays the same.
Firefox has also updated its Firefox for Android app, making it available to more Android devices with ARMv6 processors. This means around 15 million more Android devices will now have access to the web browser, including the LG Optimus One and HTC Wildfire S.
The updated Firefox for Android app provides themes to let users customise the appearance of their browsing experience, similar to the range of themes offered for the desktop-based Firefox browser.
However, the Firefox for Android app lacks the PDF viewing functionality of Firefox 19, despite including performance boosting enhancements.
What do you think of the Firefox PDF viewer? Do you think you will use it over other PDF viewers like the Adobe Reader Firefox plug-in? Drop us a line at the Trusted Reviews Facebook and Twitter pages or use the comment boxes below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
