Firefox's slick new Australis interface (pictures)
The open-source browser gets curvacious tabs, a pop-out panel that replaces the text menu, and more. Here's a look at some of the changes coming with the revamped Firefox.
Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Welcome to Australis, Mozilla's attempt to streamline Firefox and bring a common look to PCs, tablets, and mobile phones. Mozilla is trying to modernize the browser, speed it up, and make it easier to use, but still keep the browser's customizability.
Australis, Mozilla's overhaul of Firefox's user interface, gives the foreground tab new emphasis and makes the others fade more into the background. To the left of the tabs, pinned tabs that users might want to access often show just by their narrow favicon images. The entire menu has been reduced to a customizable toolbar with a few buttons on the upper right of the interface; clicking the three parallel horizontal lines opens up the menu.
3 of 6screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
Themes on Australis
Want a new look? Australis is better for showing off themes, Mozilla believes.
4 of 6screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
Australis menu panel
Firefox's menu under the Australis interface turns into a panel -- a grid of links.
5 of 6screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
Australis customizable menus
Don't like the Firefox menu and toolbar options that come with the Firefox Australis revamp? You can customize both.
6 of 6Stephen Shankland/CNET
Australis download status
The new download interface in Australis shows download progress and offers a pop-up to what's been downloaded already.
