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Mozilla Releases Firefox Reality- A Web Browser Dedicated for Virtual Reality

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The name of the product may sound ironic given the intended application, but the Mozilla Firefox Reality web browser is the first of its kind to be built dedicated to virtual reality (and also augmented-, and mixed-reality for that matter) portals. Mozilla had originally announced earlier this year this was in the making, and today we see availability at the usual VR suspects- Viveport, Oculus, and Daydream app stores. The Mixed Reality Team at Mozilla felt that VR took advantage of the so-called 3D immersive web, and that using existing 2D-centric browsers meant not being able to, in their words, "enjoy it".

This meant that Mozilla built Firefox Reality with a new approach to navigation, user input, searches and more. Features built into the browser include searching with one's voice, for example, taking advantage of microphones either integrated in headsets or as part of audio peripherals used in conjunction. Mozilla says they spent thousands of hours testing and collecting feedback from users to get to the release version of the browser, and this comes also in the form of a new home screen that adds interactive, immersive experiences right from the get go as seen below. More to follow past the break.



Firefox Reality is based off Mozilla's new Quantum engine for mobile browsing, which helps provide smooth, consistent performance that is critical for a non-nauseating VR experience. Oh, and there is a private browser option built-in which Mozilla says is continuation of their efforts to fight for user privacy online. Version 1.0 as it is out today does have a few missing features we take for granted with the more popular so-called 2D browsers- bookmarks, for example, are not present here. Ditto with user accounts, which goes a long way towards personalizing the browsing experience for the end user. Mozilla did say that version 1.1 is round the corner, and that these missing features will be added in shortly along with others such as support for 360° videos. They have also provided an open invite to developers, as well as new users, to share feedback by emailing them here.

Firefox Reality can be downloaded here for Oculus (including Oculus Go), here for Daydream devices (including all-in-ones), and by searching for it on the Viveport store. This joins other browsers based-off existing ones and customized for VR, including Google Chrome for Daydream View, and provides more of a reason for VR-centric peripherals to continue being developed- something that Logitech and SteelSeries will no doubt appreciate.


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YES!!!

Trying this tonight!!

OMG just realized I don't have to download VR**** any more! I can freaking stream VR**** from ****hub now!!!
 
YES!!!

Trying this tonight!!

OMG just realized I don't have to download VR**** any more! I can freaking stream VR**** from ****hub now!!!
Don't hurt yourself... :roll:
 
YES!!!

Trying this tonight!!

OMG just realized I don't have to download VR**** any more! I can freaking stream VR**** from ****hub now!!!

Lol your posts are always a hoot man...
 
I dont have VR so..
 
Will it include an alternate reality mode where chrome isn't the "best" browser in town & Mozilla also doesn't lose it's s*** trying to copy chrome, breaking "legacy" extensions & going for gimmicks like "VR" browser? It's a shame where firefox is today, especially in terms of marketshare, & the vast majority of blame falls on Mozilla.
 
Why would you want to browse internet in VR lol? It has to be the clumsiest way of doing it...
 
Awesome, the five people still on the VR bandwagon can now "Ski the Web" like it's 1992 ^^
 
Why would you want to browse internet in VR lol? It has to be the clumsiest way of doing it...
So you dont have to get out of bed... eh?
 
YES!!!

Trying this tonight!!

OMG just realized I don't have to download VR**** any more! I can freaking stream VR**** from ****hub now!!!
Where's the feedback? How's the quality?
 
Kinda exhausted last night. Not from using this though. Was doing something else and didn’t have time.
 
Kinda exhausted last night. Not from using this though. Was doing something else and didn’t have time.

You were playing VR genetic scientist again?
 
Who needs this ? ... everyone who wants to be Michael Douglas ... does it have an Angel ? If you have this, maybe you can get sexually harassed by Demi Moore.

 
I am a fan of Firefox. I am using it as the main browser. But looking at this video makes me have one question. Why? Why would someone want to punish his/her eyes more than he/she does now with a screen? Not to mention that pages would look much better on screen and usability will be much higher.
 
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