Firefox 4 is Getting Auto-Updating
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One of our favorite Chrome features is finally making its way into Firefox 4, automatic updates. This might not sound like a huge breakthrough, but the little discussed feature is responsible for 97 percent of Chrome users running the most up-to date version of the browser within three weeks of its release. The concept is to simply download updates silently in the background when bandwidth is not being otherwise used, and then apply the patch automatically when the browser is started. Users who never restart their browsers will be given a gentle reminder after a few weeks.
In an age where zero day security vulnerabilities are the norm, and major releases drop every six weeks, it’s easy to understand why users would grow fatigued with giving the thumbs up for every update. Unlike Chrome however, Mozilla claims they will allow Firefox users to turn off the automatic updating feature, or to have it prompt only on major updates. This is a concession for those who aren’t comfortable with the idea of software automatically installing itself in the background, or for those that just like to always know what’s going on.
The auto-update feature will make its debut in the beta build of Firefox 4 soon, with the Mac and Linux versions getting the same treatment sometime before final release.
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Blues22475
August 09, 2010 at 5:34am
Do not care if Firefox has an auto-update feature. This will make things easier for me as I don't need to keep track of updates. Moreover, the option to turn off auto-updates doesn't really affect me. 95% of the time I update I am really not that impacted by the update (or nothing goes wrong).
Vano
August 08, 2010 at 8:12pm
Weird...and how is it different then what we have now in v3.6?
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6185/ff368.png
Bucket_Monster
August 09, 2010 at 5:46am
I was about to post the same thing. I guess if you can't specify an option to ask you if you want to update that would be the difference. But that sounds like more of an invonvenience than a benefit. I always just update mine when I receive a notification, but I could see how some people wouldn't in case it breaks addons.
Mighty BOB!
August 08, 2010 at 6:27pm
Ehhh... Is this going to screw up my addons? The only reason I don't always immediately install major Firefox updates is because often 1-3 of my addons won't be compatible with the latest version. "Incompatible" addons get disabled, so I wouldn't want this autoupdater to download and apply a major update and then automatically disable some of my addons.
Airheadq
August 08, 2010 at 7:07pm
Actually, with a little config hack, you can disable version checking and compatibility checking. I find that most add-ons even older ones will still work with the newest version. So I can safely update, skip the checks and everything is pure gold.
leorick
August 08, 2010 at 6:07pm
I'm glad we will have the option to turn it off. I just don't like the idea of having no control over it. I don't use Chrome because of Google Update. I can't seem to get rid of it. I know it's legit but i feel like it's some nasty rootkit that won't reveal itself to me.
hagbard
August 08, 2010 at 4:49pm
Firefox 3.X already does this, and it annoys me every time I need to quickly open my browser, only to have to wait for an update to apply that I never chose to download. I'm pretty sure I've disabled it on most of my computers.
nmanguy
August 08, 2010 at 2:08pm
Firefox already does this. Every time there's a new release, it updates the next time I launch the browser. This means it's never more than 24 hours outdated, not three WEEKS,
leper1983
August 08, 2010 at 2:21pm
Auto update meaning it doesn't require any input from the user.. right now firefox requires you to accept whereas the new feature doesn't unless you disable it
nmanguy
August 08, 2010 at 3:51pm
I can't remember Firefox asking for confirmation. All it does is say "Hey, so I have this update that I already downloaded for you, I really suggest you install it now but if you don't, that's okay too, I'll just install it automatically next time you start."
Emeraldflame
August 08, 2010 at 3:09pm
I am running have been using firefox since 3.0 and never once have I had it ask for a conformation on an update. Whenever I launch the browser it tells me it is applying updates and then it brings up the new version. I am now at 3.6.8 with out ever clicking a conformation. So I am pretty sure it already has auto updates.
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