Metro-style Firefox for Windows 8 slated to arrive Dec. 10

Firefox Metro Windows 8 Modern
Windows' Modern UI is infecting Firefox, too

The notes from a recent Mozilla meeting reveal that a touch-friendly, Metro-style version of Firefox for Windows 8 will arrive alongside Firefox 26 in December.

The notes, published online by Mozilla, called the special Windows 8-friendly version of the Firefox browser the "Metro Preview Release build" and promise that it will "'ride the trains' for Firefox 26."

Firefox 26 for Windows 8 is penciled for a Dec. 10 release, and it sounds like the "Modern UI" version will arrive at the same time.

Mozilla plans to continue working on the Modern/Metro Firefox, killing bugs and streamlining the browser, right up until its release.

Long time coming

A Metro-friendly version of Firefox has been in the works at Mozilla for a while, with previews appearing as far back as last year.

Clearly it's taken longer than anticipated to get the Windows 8-specific version of Firefox working, however - PC World claimed that it was originally scheduled to be released as early as January 2013.

The physical Windows landscape hasn't changed too dramatically since Windows 8 was released, though Windows RT is looking less and less relevant and we'll have Windows 8.1 to contend with in mid-October.

Nevertheless, a version of Firefox designed with touch in mind will benefit plenty of Windows 8 users.

Meanwhile Mozilla has plenty else going on, with an "aggressive" release schedule planned for Firefox Mobile.

Michael Rougeau

Michael Rougeau is a former freelance news writer for TechRadar. Studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Northeastern University, Michael has bylines at Kotaku, 1UP, G4, Complex Magazine, Digital Trends, GamesRadar, GameSpot, IFC, Animal New York, @Gamer, Inside the Magic, Comic Book Resources, Zap2It, TabTimes, GameZone, Cheat Code Central, Gameshark, Gameranx, The Industry, Debonair Mag, Kombo, and others.

Micheal also spent time as the Games Editor for Playboy.com, and was the managing editor at GameSpot before becoming an Animal Care Manager for Wags and Walks.