Mozilla engineers are testing three new features in Firefox called Containers, SnoozeTabs and Pulse, and if users react positively then we will see them in upcoming releases.
All three features are part of the Test Pilot, a Mozilla program that allows users to test experimental features by installing a special add-on. The Add-on Test Pilot then allows users to choose which of the seven functions they want to test.
In addition to Containers, SnoozeTabs and Pulse, the program also includes Min Vid, Page Shot, Activity Stream, and Tab Center. Most of these features have begun during 2016.
SnoozeTabs (Tabs in Delay)
The first of the three new features launched by 2017 is called SnoozeTabs and is an add-on that allows users to send tabs for future use.
By "future use" we mean that users will be able to click a button Firefox and to "freeze" one tab for a period of time. Once a tab is selected it will disappear and reappear after the freeze period ends.
In other words, it's just like the Pocket add-on, which allows users to save links, and resets tabs after the countdown timer ends measurements.
Mozilla has been involved with SnoozeTabs for at least two years, building one first draft this feature last August 2015, and through an add-on which was available for internal testing.
Pulse (Pulse)
The second experimental mode is called Press and is a tool that will probably not be included in Firefox.
We say this because Pulse allows users to rate how the pages are loaded and behaving in Firefox, data sent back to Firefox engineers.
Pulse resembles a feature you would expect to see in Firefox Nightly or in Developer editions rather than in a fixed version of Firefox as it helps Firefox engineers understand how Firefox works around the world instead of bringing something worthwhile to end users.
Containers (Containers)
The third and last feature of Firefox called Containers, formerly known as Container Tabs, is a feature that was added for a short while to the 50 version of Firefox Nightly.
Containers allow users to start tabs in separate "boxes" (containers), each with its own database for storing cookies, caching, IndexedDB data and localStorage.
Data exchanged between boxes includes bookmarks, the history browsing, stored passwords, stored searches, form data, licenses, certificates, TGV flags, and OCSP responses.
The feature supports four separate containers: Personal, Work, Banking, and Purchases. The names of these cans mean nothing, as they have the same level of separation and security, and they only exist to guide users and nothing more.
A hidden feature of Firefox Containers is that you can use the boxes to connect to the same sites with four different certifications, one different for each box.
If you're confused about what the Containers feature actually is, think of it as separate “browsing links” that exist in the same Browser, or if you want, like four Private Browsing modes, but without personal data protection.
Do not forget! To enable these hidden features, you must first install it add-on to Firefox, Pilot Test and then select what features you want to try.
