Firefox has proudly launched its much-awaited mobile browser christened Fennec. Literally translating as a small desert fox, Fennec is currently available only for Nokia N810 and N800 Internet tablet owners. Well, as we all wait to lay our hands on the novel mobile browser here is a lowdown on it:

Features
Fennec is specifically designed to offer more web content upfront and minimise typing. The browser is roomy yet offers the entire gamut of Firefox features that are exclusively tweaked for the mobile version. For example the Fennec tabs and controls have been designed to mobile capabilities. The controls are placed in the right-hand margin and the tabs on the left. Fennec even offers a password manager (with auto-fills), web identity and pop-up blocker.

The UP’s
- It is designed to emphasise web content by doing away with many controls
- It is even developed to minimise typing
- Fennec aims at offering the entire bouquet of Firefox features
- The mobile version has the upperhand in terms of familiarity
- Firefox has a large techie fan-following in turn making Fennec much popular
- Fennec supports add-ons and encourages independent developers to build and deploy mobile extensions
- The best part is that Fennec can be customised as per your needs

The Down’s
- The search bar is unimpressive and redundant as it’s embedded in the URL
- Search engines are placed at the bottom edge of the screen limiting the listing
- You would be disappointed if you are expecting a replica of Firefox 3′s Awesome Bar
- The placement of tabs and controls could slow down browsing
- The new version is exclusively designed for Nokia phones and tablets (what about the rest of the world?)

The new Firefox mobile browser will face stiff competition from iPhone’s safari, Nokia’s Symbian and Windows IE, to name a few. Currently Fennec looks good on the Nokia Internet tablets which are actually not mobile phones. So we will have to wait until the current version is developed and tweaked for consumer phones.

As browsers are making the transient change from desktops to mobile phones Fennec is sure to find a special place as Firefox is the second preferred browser in the world. Plus with the rise in mobile subscribers in India Fennec and other mobile browsers have a wondrous future.

View the Demo Video…

Fennec Alpha Walkthrough from Madhava Enros on Vimeo.

P.S. In case you are really eager to lay your hands on Fennec you could download it on to your PC.