Firefox....

[billykac]

As usual, I cruise different browsers when I get frustrated with the one I am using. I've used them all, and settled on Chrome years ago.

On the N5, I recently switched over to the native browser, but being unable to change text size was a deal breaker for me, so I went back to Chrome. However the ads are so bothersome in the smaller mobile browser, that I went on a search for a browser that offers ad blocking. I tried UC Browser this AM, but that didn't last more than a couple of hours. I really didn't like the home page implementation, and there were other poor design elements, IMO.

So, I moved over to Firefox and added my beloved uBlock Origin. This works GREAT! I love the way forums like this one are displayed without all the ad noise I am exposed to in Chrome.

I've used Firefox in the past, so I am somewhat familiar. But I am surprised by the lack of a typical homepage and the lack of a Home button. I added the Home Button add-on, but it's way tiny on the N5 (even when "large" is selected). I pinned my favorite sites, but the bottom of the page displays recent sites - lots of visual noise. Would be nice to have Google as my homepage.

Any of you folks using FF and have suggestions?
So far, the advantages of ad-blocking trumps the homepage weirdness.

 

[JJ Jones]

If you like how chrome functions but want ad blocking, search for "Nochromo." The apk is on XDA. I've been using for awhile now and it's great.

From my AT&T Platinum Gold Note 5

 

[clevin]

If you pin your favorite site (like homepage), then anytime tapping the urlbar will bring the pinned site up, one more tap will get you there.

It may seems different from chrome, but functionally not that much different. You will get used to it very soon.

Here is another major advantages of firefox on android and on a AMOLED screen devices.

Install black background addon https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/android/addon/black-background-white-text/

This addon turns most webpage background black, just imagine how battery efficient this is on your AMOLED screen devices, and it truly is. Screen typically uses half to 2/3 of the power, saving 80% of those extend your SOT significantly.

 

[billykac]

That's a great add-on.
Also thanks for the heads-on on tapping the URL bar to bring you back to "home".

 

[billykac]

Funny, in the past couple of days I've been back/forth with Firefox.

When I posted this thread, I had just jumped into FF (with the uBlock add-on) after trying out UC Browser and not liking it. After using FF for a day, I was frustrated with it's user interface and I wanted to go back to Chrome, so I chucked FF and was back in Chrome.

That lasted just a handful of hours. It was my re-exposure to ads in Chrome that pushed me right back to FF. I didn't realize just how good an ad-blocker (especially uBlock) in the mobile experience really is. Maybe it's the limited mobile workspace that makes ads so unacceptable. Having ads removed from the mobile experience is really needed for me.

So after some hectic installing/setting-up/uninstalling of browsers, I've been back to FF with uBlock for a day and I don't feel the itch to run back to Chrome. I appreciate the heads-up on Nochromo, but I don't want to side-load unofficial apps - I've done plenty of that. There's also AdBlock's browser, but I am partial to uBlock - on all my platforms.

 

[Dhawk1202]

I'm with you. I don't love FF, but the add-ons are too convinent to ignore.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[clevin]

Just to add, there is also a browser called Orfox, which is based on firefox, and is an official android version of Tor.

It's not fast nor convenient, but it's maximum privacy.

 

[Crashdamage]

Just to add, there is also a browser called Orfox, which is based on firefox, and is an official android version of Tor.

It's not fast nor convenient, but it's maximum privacy.

Even better, check out Orbot, which includes Orfox:

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ails?id=org.torproject.android&token=5dNvX9Oo

Just FYI, uBlock is discontinued. It's still available to install but eventually is bound to fail. AdBlock Plus has worked pretty well as an alternative for me.

 

[clevin]

Even better, check out Orbot, which includes Orfox:

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ails?id=org.torproject.android&token=sLzn77YX

Just FYI, uBlock is discontinued. It's still available to install but eventually is bound to fail. AdBlock Plus has worked pretty well as an alternative for me.

You will need orbot for Orfox to function, so yeah, both will be needed.