Firefox adds option to remove 'List All Tabs' button after user backlash

Mozilla launched Firefox 131.0 a couple of weeks in the past. This kicked up a storm amongst customers who had been upset by a change. What’s all of the fuss about?

Firefox responds to person suggestions in regards to the Listing All Tabs button

Firefox customers had been sad that Mozilla had added a brand new “Listing All Tabs button” subsequent to the plus button (new tab button). Was it a brand new addition? No, it has at all times been there, you simply might haven’t seen it. The outdated model used a downwards arrow (Caron image), which was fairly minimalistic. The brand new model for the Listing All Tabs button has a much bigger icon.

The truth that many individuals began complaining in regards to the button does show that the outdated icon was not noticeable and this maybe unused by lots of customers. That is why Mozilla modified it to a much bigger icon. Do not get me fallacious, I am not saying Mozilla did the appropriate factor, I simply wished to level out what may have impressed them to vary the model.

Anyway, the first criticism from customers was this: why cannot we take away the Listing All Tabs button in Firefox? A number of additionally raised the query of why the button existed, when Firefox View serves the same objective. That could be a good level, and Firefox View may be eliminated if you happen to do not prefer it.

So, what was the thought behind making the Listing All Tabs button everlasting, aka non-removable? In accordance with some feedback from builders, it was executed as a result of the button incorporates the hidden tabs sub menu, and this acted as a safety measure in opposition to add-ons which will conceal tabs maliciously, or extensions that won’t have an excellent UI to re-show the tabs. Naturally, this response was met with criticism from customers, which gained the eye of the builders who then agreed to make the button detachable.

I might wish to level out a remark from one other developer, who said that Mozilla was engaged on migrating a few of the button’s functionalities into different areas such because the sidebar, vertical tabs and tab teams. He went on to elucidate that the dev crew might rethink the necessity for the button after these duties have been accomplished. Okay, that sounds fascinating, however the truth that a Mozilla dev advisable modifying the userChrome.CSS to cover the button appears moderately foolish, however some customers edited the CSS file. Others complained that there must be a toggle within the browser to permit customers to decide on what they need to use. I get it, I am not a fan of pointless modifications both, but it surely did not hassle me.

There’s an excessive amount of drama about this, I do not actually care in regards to the aesthetics, but it surely received me questioning, is the button helpful?

Is Firefox’s All Tabs button any good?

I’ve combined emotions about it, it has some potential, however there’s loads of room for enchancment. The shut all duplicates tabs choice is sweet, however this motion is already out there within the tab context menu by way of a right-click on any tab. The New Containers choice is helpful too, however once more this additionally exists, you simply must right-click on the brand new tab button. The Listing All Tabs button’s namesake characteristic is to record all of the tabs, which it does moderately properly, it is kind of like a vertical tab bar.

The principle drawback with the Listing All Tabs button is the search operate, which is moderately abysmal. Clicking on the Search tabs choice within the menu modifications the main target, i.e. strikes the cursor from the pop-up menu to the deal with bar, and switches the search mode to search out tabs.

Talking of which, Firefox’s keyboard shortcut (search open tabs) to make use of the characteristic will not be tremendous handy both. It is advisable to press Ctrl + L, kind % adopted by House, it is moderately odd to require a number of inputs for this motion. As compared, Chrome’s Tab Search characteristic allows you to seek for tabs with Ctrl + Shift + A. That is barely quicker and extra environment friendly.

Circling again to the Listing All Tabs button’s search, it feels moderately outdated. One would anticipate that looking for a tab would filter the record of tabs instantly within the pop-up to show the corresponding consequence, on an as-you-type foundation. Proper? I imply, that is how Chrome handles it. Guess what, that’s precisely how the search operate in Firefox View works. Why would not the Listing All Tabs button comply with this design?

Check out Tab Supervisor Plus, I reviewed the add-on 4 years in the past. This extension has a significantly better search operate, you simply must kind the identify of the web site or a part of the web page’s title, and it highlights the related outcomes. If an extension can do the job so effectively, why cannot Mozilla implement one thing related within the browser?

Search All Tabs is one other extension that can be utilized to search out tabs shortly. You may learn my evaluation of the add-on right here. TabSearch is one other various that you could be be fascinated about.

Mozilla lets customers take away the Listing All Tabs button from Firefox’s tab bar

Mozilla launched the Firefox 131.0.3 replace yesterday to patch some safety points. The change log for the replace mentions that the replace “fixes a difficulty the place the Listing all tabs button was not capable of be moved from the toolbar.” Positive, it was “a bug”. When you do not just like the button, right-click on the Firefox toolbar, choose Customise Toolbar, and click on and drag the button away to the customization display. There, drawback solved.