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Version 106 of Mozilla Firefox has been released, with much more functionality for the web browser’s built-in PDF viewer.
In a blog post (opens in new tab) On the Mozilla website, Firefox developers announced essential features for any PDF viewer, such as text annotations, drawings, and signatures, all of which can now be added to PDF files displayed directly in the browser.
It claimed the new features would increase PDF usability in the browser and reduce paper waste. The changes were intended to address issues related to “those PDF forms you receive from your doctor or other service provider that you have to print and return.”
Firefox 106 updates
PDF files have long served their purpose of protecting the data they contain from unwanted editing, which is great if you want to create a read-only file, but not so great if you want to lock down the formatting across all devices while keeping the want to keep editing access.
If you set Firefox as the default browser on Windows machines, it also becomes the default app for opening PDF files.
Firefox’s in-house Javascript-based PDF tool was a little late to the party in 2021 when it opened up native form-filling capabilities in version 93, but the latest PDF feature additions bring Firefox one step closer to becoming a credible Adobe Acrobat alternative.
Other improvements to the latest version of the web browser include a new shortcut button to private browsing mode, which can be pinned to the desktop, and some updated colored wallpapers that Mozilla Firefox calls Colorways. According to the release notes for Firefox 106 (opens in new tab)these new designs will be available through January 16.
Firefox will now also display 25 of your most recently closed tabs when you open a new window, along with three of your most recently active tabs from other devices to help you pick up where you left off on another screen, in a similar way. way Apple’s implementation of Handoff.
And those looking for another anonymous browser to beat Firefox may want to reconsider, as a brand new shortcut makes it even easier to start a private browsing session.