Topic: Mozilla Releases Firefox 4.0 Interface Mockups

[georgecloner]

Just days after releasing some proposed interface changes to Firefox 3.7 on its wiki, the Mozilla Foundation has put up a page to explore interface changes in Firefox 4.0.

Two main versions are displayed, one showing the tabs beneath the address bar and one with the tabs above it. The tabs-on-top look is nice and clean, and saves space, but eliminates the title bar.
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Also on the wiki page is a demonstration of an idea for combining the go, refresh, and stop buttons into a single context-sensitive button.

As with the proposed changes to Firefox 3.7, the Firefox 4.0 changes are aiming to reduce interface complexity, increase page space, and hopefully increase clarity for the user while integrating more naturally into Windows. What do you think of the changes? Let us know in the comments.

{NETWORK-W}

[georgecloner]

(New) Initial Windows Theme Mockups for Firefox 4.0

Version A - Tabs-on-Bottom


Possibly add a Bookmarks widget as an upfront replacement for the Bookmarks menu/Bookmarks toolbar (option to turn those on would remain).


Version B - Tabs-on-Top


The more contentious Tabs-on-Top concept.

Positives

    * Save Vertical Space
    * Efficiency/Remove Visual Complexity - Right now the tabs have to be connected to something. So we are adding an extra visual element for them to connect to.
    * Shorter Mouse Distance to Page Controls


Negatives

    * Breaks Consistency/Familiarity - Moving things confuses existing users.
    * Title is MIA - With the space removed from the titlebar you only get the truncated version in the tab.
    * Longer Mouse Distance to Tabs - Takes longer to mouse to a tab.
    * Lost Space - Sandwiched in between the application icon and the window widgets you lose some space.


Combo Stop/Refresh/Go Button.


Attached at the end of the location bar.

    * Turns green when you start typing.
    * Blends with the location bar when at rest.
    * Turns blue on hover.
    * Turns red when a page is loading.

The proposed iconography is mostly colorless. Adding color to these temporary action driven buttons will make it more obvious something is going on.

I guess the idea of having a combined go/refresh button is good. It will help the users who are just switching from IE. Also, there must be more flexibility in changing the button settings, however. Foxy is the most customizable browser out there, so I say, take one of the ideas here for the default, then let the user choose how many buttons are there, their position etc. Also, it would be great even if the progress bar design was changable too. Why not?

{wiki.mozilla.org}

[Samker]

It's much better... 

[zahdab]

loooks pretty cool