So I just installed Fennec (beta) for Android on my Samsung Galaxy S. For those who don’t know Fennec is the Mobile version of Firefox.

The concept is based on “horses for courses”. You couldn’t run Firefox (the Linux version) on Android – it just doesn’t work that way. But there are probably many parts of Firefox that are replicated throughout the different builds. Be it the Windows, Linux or Fennec versions.

First impressions

Quick. Multi-touch zoom. Integrated Google search in address bar. Strange placement of settings controls – you don’t access them via the normal menu button that Google demands on Android phones, instead on any webpage use a swipe gesture from right to left. This brings up a hidden side-panel that includes the bookmarking button, back and forward buttons and the settings button. I am guessing a lot of people will struggle find this unless told.

Also the Sync plugin is ready to go from the install. This is a wise idea as many people who are likely to want Firefox on their phone (over the default browser) want it because they already use Firefox on the desktop. Sync brings across your saved passwords, bookmarks, history and settings. That’s the main reason I want Fennec on my phone. Seamless syncing between my laptop and phone.

Unfortunately, I got lots of errors when trying to sync with Firefox 3.6 or 4 beta on my laptop running Jolicloud. After research and a little wasted effort I have found this to be a tough nut to crack. I am sure the experience will be different across operating systems, network connections and Firefox versions. I hope to update this post with information of how and why these problems occured for those in the same boat.

Footnote

If you don’t complete the sync set-up when Fennec first installs and want to enable a sync account afterwards it is in the settings at the bottom of the page.
And just in case you missed it the;
User, Password & Sync Key
is the same as desktop Firefox Sync’s;
User, Password and Secret Phrase.

I Googled “Sync Key Fennec” when I couldn’t figure this out but seems no-one else was confused by the alternative naming of the Secret Phrase.