Firefox 32 Beta and Firefox Aurora reveal minor features, tweaks and improvements

Fresh from its release of Firefox 31.0 FINAL, Mozilla has unveiled Firefox 32.0 Beta 1 and Firefox Aurora 33.0a2 for desktop computers.

While there are no jaw-dropping new features in either Beta or Aurora (alpha) builds, both contain a number of minor additions and some useful improvements that help keep the web browser’s evolution ticking over.

Firefox 32 sees a new HTTP cache backend -- dubbed version 2 -- move closer to final implementation. Improvements include the optimization of request prioritizations to deliver faster loading times for large content as well as the promise of improved resilience against crashes and hangs.

The new version will also make login metadata viewable via the Password Manager, which -- along with the Add-on Manager -- also gains unspecified performance improvements. Users will also be able to connect to the HTTP proxy over HTTPS while the beta also integrates generational garbage collection.

Version 32 also now displays the number of found items in the Find toolbar when searching pages for specific keywords, and adds both code completion and inline documentation to the Scratchpad.

The beta also implements a wide number of new HTML5 technologies and offers HiDPI support for developers when using the Developer Tools UI. Developers also gain a new Web Audio Editor tool, which needs to be enabled via the Developer Tool Settings.

Aurora’s updates include a new WebRTC-powered communications feature via the menu panel. It also adds OpenH264 support and promises an improved search experience through the location bar.

Firefox 32.0 Beta 1 and Firefox Aurora 33.0a2 are both available now as free, open-source downloads for Windows, Mac and Linux. Aurora installs alongside existing Firefox builds, but the Beta installs over the top of the latest stable build -- as with all pre-release software, use with caution.