Firefox Introduces New Tab Group Feature

Mozilla's Firefox browser has launched a significant update with version 138, introducing a highly anticipated feature: Tab Groups. This new organizational tool allows users to cluster tabs together, enhancing browsing efficiency.

Users can easily create new tab groups by dragging one tab onto another. This action triggers a menu that provides options for naming the group--such as indicating its purpose, theme, or relevant date--and selecting a color to distinguish it visually, although naming the group is optional.

If users wish to remove a tab from a group, they can simply drag it back to the main tab bar. Further functionalities are accessible via a right-click menu, allowing users to open a new tab within a group, move the entire group to a new browser window, save or close the group, detach all tabs, or delete the group entirely. Additionally, tab groups can be rearranged in the tab bar like standard tabs.

The updated tab management interface provides an overview of existing groups and the tabs they contain. Notably, the new tab groups are compatible with the recently introduced vertical tab mode and existing tab management add-ons. Mozilla plans to release new APIs that will enable third-party developers to integrate the group functionality into their Firefox extensions. A local AI assistant, already available in the Nightly version, is also set to enhance tab management, though further details on this feature have yet to be disclosed.

According to Mozilla, the introduction of Tab Groups responds to user demand, with requests for this feature dating back to 2022 on the community platform Connect, where it received thousands of votes. The development team aimed to accommodate these diverse user needs, even when some requests were conflicting.

In addition to Tab Groups, Firefox has rolled out a revamped profile management system. This new feature allows users to customize their browser settings for different activities, such as work, personal use, or online shopping. Users can select their preferred profile at startup, which will then display bookmarks, history, and any data synchronized through their Mozilla account. However, privacy and security settings remain independent of user profiles.

The update also includes several security fixes and minor enhancements. Users are advised that the import assistant may no longer transfer passwords from Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers in certain situations. Affected users will need to export their passwords as a CSV file and manually import them into the Firefox Password Manager.

In a related note, Google has also updated its Chrome browser to version 136, which, while including bug fixes and security patches, does not introduce any major new features.