Wei Zhou’s Blog

Introduction

Firefox 3 is undoubtedly a very good browser for now, but in order to keep the top of the game in a long run, it is very necessary to explore the new possibilities for next generation’s of web browser.

We noticed there’re some hot trendy topics in interaction community, we assume those thoughts could be applied into a Firefox x.0. But we cannot just follow, we need our unique vision. It is valuable to think about branding and marketing strategies as well as user experience.

Personalization

Now as the web culture becomes both social and personal,Firefox survives today partially because it provides extensive add-ons and easy customization tools catering to individual needs. However ordinary users only understand the basic functions of the browser, not used to download plug-ins or customize their Web browser, which allows them only passive get, not actively browse the Web and fully enjoy the fun of absorbing information.

Possible solution 1
Improve Firefox add-on site, using with a more humane manner to give users a certain package of their favorite plug-ins, say, for 20-24-year-old single women white-collar users, recommended a particular combination of firefox plug-ins, etc., including visual history viewer, bookmarks sharing, embedded calendar, and to recommend a bookmark list, including the facebook, NYT art, Fashion, Salon, and so on for their lift-stage. Another example for a 30-year-old java male programmer, recommend a package contains firefox Firebug, simplified interface, power user keyboard UI extension, and a bookmark list: slashdot, careerbuilder, so on and so forth.
Possible solution 2
Make firefox smart enough to learn the user’s daily behavior, building a user profile so that Firefox could gradually do personalization by itself.(Pop up a recommendation to install a extension when Firefox thinks you need it).

Context awareness

Response to the user smartly in different circumstances, identify the user’s needs and provide appropriate help accordingly. Note this “context” indicates not only real life,but also the “Internet life”. Internet users build a digital self alone with their browsing activity, understanding this digital-self is equally important to their real self.As browser goes to mobile, browser calls for the feature to know what people need, for instance, provide coffee sites when users are in starbucks, pops up bank sites when users feel like they need to check their bank info immediately without typing in the URL.

Human computation

One of the best traditions of Firefox browser is a awesome community support, indeed there are many enthusiastic users find bug or improve the code. But most of them focus on the technology improvements, not many design improvements. To survive in web 2.0 , follow a user-centered design approach is very necessary to a browser design. This is not to say we should carry out a large number of user research and to make the decision quantitatively, but the use of a more relaxed and enjoyable way, enabling users to participate in the process of design, actively involve into firefox browser’s development, concern Their own user experience, and be able to help each other, provide a large number of excellent idea to be adopted by the Firefox. During the process it generates a huge market and branding benefit, further more the countless human resources in helping to improve our Firefox, view the Internet in our own “firefoxy” way.

Intuitive UI and touchscreen

The appropriate concise and beautiful interface makes people feel it is more functional. Intuitive UI usually fits people’s navigating habit, cause less trouble and save more time, while giving people the enjoyment of interactive experience.A subtle animation could bring a lot of satisfaction, even it actually waste some time.

Here’s a mock up for a website history visualization. when the mouse rolls over, triggers a book-flipping preview animation, then you could click to get a pull-down menu.