Firefox for Windows 8 Beta now available for download

A touch-friendly variety of Firefox browser for Windows 8 has been promised and in the works for quite a while now, suffering repeated setbacks and delayed launches. Finally, that time has come: tonight the company announced the beta version is ready for testing and up on the company's website for download.

The Touch Beta browser has been optimized for Windows 8's user interface, making it a touch-friendly and easier to use offering for those running the latest Windows version. As you'd expect, the start screen is tile-based to match the rest of Windows and Windows 8 apps. Users can henceforth tap their way around the browser.

The beta browser has a lot of the functionality Windows 8 users want to see — the ability to to use full, snapped, and fill views, taking advantage of Windows 8's handy partial views and easy snapping and such. All the familiar browser elements are there, as well, including History, Bookmarks, Top Sites, and the Awesome Bar.

With Firefox for Windows 8 Beta also comes visual navigation via big tiles, speeding things up and making the entire browsing process easier. And rounding it all out is Windows Share integration, allowing users to share content or a Web page on any of the social networks that have been installed, expediting the sharing process.

SOURCE: Mozilla