Mozilla boudoir shoots out second Firefox 3.1 beta

The second beta of Firefox 3.1 landed yesterday for Windows lovers and Mac fanboys keen to fiddle with Mozilla’s new private browsing porn mode feature.

It also comes loaded with the speedier JavaScript engine TraceMonkey, which is now switched on as the default setting.

There’s support for video and audio built into web pages and so-called “web worker” support for more powerful internet-based programs.

This is not the final beta of Mozilla’s popular open source browser, however. The firm said it would release at least one more test version before the final product is ready for world+dog to get their mitts on.

A finished version of Firefox 3.1, code-named Shiretoko, is expected to arrive early next year. But Mozilla hasn’t pinpointed a date yet.

2008 has been a busy year for tech firms nosily declaring battle cries in what has turned into an entertaining browser bunfight.

Apple has been attempting to woo Windows users away from Internet Explorer by promoting Safari's newly found compatibility love-in with the rival OS. Google also recently entered the fray with its open source Chrome browser. ®