This may seem like a strange move, but it is probably so their browser appears new and fresh, Chrome’s newest stable release is version 12 and it’s only been around for 3 years! Some users may be led to believe that the version number dictates the usability and level of functionality that a browser provides (that would mean IE6 is better than FF3, 4, and 5 *shudder*). So Firefox is just trying to look cool compared to all the big number browsers out there.

According to their blog Firefox 5 “ includes more than 1,000 improvements and performance enhancements”.One of the main new feature Mozilla is bragging about is built in “Do not Track” feature that is now available on their new Android release. They are now the only browser that offers a “Do not Track” feature across multiple platforms.

Simply FF5 is nothing more than another chapter in “BROWSER WARS” EPISODE 2011

If the feature is enabled in the user’s browser, the HTTP header will send a “Do Not Track” message to all sites which request their data for behavioural advertising.

The image below shows how the system might work.

The feature is still in proposal mode, however Mozilla hope that all browsers make this an industry standard.

This would be a huge step forward in obtaining user privacy, however if sites do not adopt this standard it will make no difference to web browsing.  If it is accepted by behavioural advertising sites it could give Firefox a great increase in market share!