Mozilla announced that it will accelerate the release cycle of Firefox all channels from 2020.
Currently, the use of a phased release strategy Mozilla released a major version of Firefox browser (desktop and Android) every 6-8 weeks, including a pre-release channel has: Firefox Nighly, Beta and Developer Edition, and stability testing of Firefox new features, and then switch to a generic version delivered to the majority of Firefox users.
Now, Mozilla decided to start from the first quarter of 2020, released a new version of the Firefox browser every four weeks, the organization hopes to introduce new features more quickly in Firefox, including a new Web API. Firefox ESR releases will remain the same, every 12 months, is expected to release a major ESR, the next two major ESR release date is June 2020 and June 2021.
We are adjusting our rhythm, and enhance our flexibility, and bring you new features faster. In recent quarters, we have received a lot of feedback, functional requirements to market faster. Into account these factors, now is our time to change the rhythm of the issue.
Shorter release cycle provides greater flexibility to support product planning and priorities change due to market demand or business carried out. The following table lists the Firefox version and release date planned:
Shorten release cycles exist associated risks, Mozilla hopes to detailed planning, testing, and quality management rolled out in phases to keep publishing quality and reduce these risks. The organization will first slowly shorten the release cycle, down from seven weeks to 6,5,4 weeks, while observing the changes of this process to identify impediments to accelerate the release cycle and take appropriate mitigation measures.
For Mozilla, the four-week release cycle is a difficult task, if the organization can maintain the quality of release, while more quickly introduce new features to Firefox users, it is best for the organization and users of.