Mozilla equips Android version of Focus mobile browser with renewed engine

Mozilla has released an update to its Focus browser, which, in addition to a new interface, also includes a revamped engine for the Android version. It’s the same engine that Mozilla uses in the Quantum releases of its Firefox browser.

In an announcement, Mozilla writes that it is the so-called Gecko engine, referring to the name GeckoView that it uses for the associated Android library. According to Mozilla, this makes Focus its first Android app to use the engine. The transition should, among other things, ensure that functions will be added in the future that protect the privacy of users, the organization promises. Mozilla cites the example of reducing data collection by third parties.

The ‘privacy browser’ has also been given a new look, both on iOS and Android. According to Mozilla, the design on the latter platform has been brought in line with that of Android Pie. Other changes include the addition of Siri Shortcuts on iOS and the display of tips on the home screen, which introduce several features. In addition, users can enable search suggestions, this feature is off by default.

Mozilla released the Android version of Focus midway through last year, after it presented the iOS version at the end of 2016. With the browser, private browsing is always enabled and ad and analytics trackers are blocked, just like social trackers.