Google today reached the final milestone in a browser-extension transition that has been years in the making, all remaining Manifest V2 extensions were removed from the Chrome Web Store.
Ah, thank god I am using Zen (Firefox fork) now for 2 years already. I totally forgot about this manifest bs. Now that Chrome introduced vertical tabs I was thinking to myself “ah, I could give it a try, having less breaking things and so on”. But thanks for this reminder I will gladly stay with Zen.
Firefox is main browser, on desktop and mobile, and I’m not changing that.
Still, I do have Chromium installed for very specific usages, e.g. WebXR tests, WebBT and WebUSB devices, e.g. flashing keyboard firmware, controlling Lego bricks, etc. I’d rather only have Firefox to be clear but some things are not supported, marked as not planned, and I believe using Chromium on specific Websites, not for browsing, is perfectly fine when no alternative is available.
Giving Chrome a go? Why would I? Zen has everything I need, plus Chrome does not have an ad-blocker. I also sometimes need WebUSB and such things, but well, then I’ll use chrome once for that and be done with it.
I’m not saying adopt Chrome as your main browser, I’m saying if Chrome alone has unique feature you think you might need, try it there. For example that allowed me to discover https://github.com/ArcaneNibble/awawausb
Consequently if you are curious about vertical tabs, do try it, even in a container, e.g. Webtop, if you want to be extra safe. I’m not suggesting to switch.
I had some websites which didn’t work in some way. Can’t remember, which websites it were, just some big company websites where random buttons would just do nothing or similar. But I think it were only 2 or 3.
Other than that it’s fine. Sometimes it seems like tab management is a bit weird, I once had the browser open with about 100 new tabs besides the other ones I had saved. Just had to close them and done. On my Work-Laptop I have a folder pinned in one space and the popup for it’s contents is shifted down ~200px permanently for some reason. It’s all manageable.
That’s a web site design and architecture issue, not a browser issue. Most web sites are made for Chrome (Chromium-based) browsers, and anything based in Gecko is an afterthought, if anything.
I’d rather just not access a site if Chrome use is mandatory. LibreWolf has been fantastic for me the last 3 years or so. If I really need to access a “Chrome-exclusive” site, I use Brave, and then clear and reset everything in it in case I need it again.
First, in 2026 I think you need to fuck up pretty bad or use very special stuff in order for your website to only work on Chrome.
But of course Mozilla should behave just like every other browser (well there is basically only chromium right now) and all browsers in general should display websites in the same way. Back in the day you did choose which browser to support when you developed your website, but today you are basically just using browser standards.
Then… there is Google. They are blowing up and poisoning the web standards so much, for their own good and just to bring technology forward. They surely could be more careful and considerate while doing this, so that Mozilla would have a chance to participate.
Ah, thank god I am using Zen (Firefox fork) now for 2 years already. I totally forgot about this manifest bs. Now that Chrome introduced vertical tabs I was thinking to myself “ah, I could give it a try, having less breaking things and so on”. But thanks for this reminder I will gladly stay with Zen.
Switched to Zen as soon as I switched to Linux about a year and a half ago. Love it.
Another Zen user chiming in to say, all the other ones seem confusing and cluttered now.
FWIW I do think you should give it a go.
Firefox is main browser, on desktop and mobile, and I’m not changing that.
Still, I do have Chromium installed for very specific usages, e.g. WebXR tests, WebBT and WebUSB devices, e.g. flashing keyboard firmware, controlling Lego bricks, etc. I’d rather only have Firefox to be clear but some things are not supported, marked as not planned, and I believe using Chromium on specific Websites, not for browsing, is perfectly fine when no alternative is available.
Giving Chrome a go? Why would I? Zen has everything I need, plus Chrome does not have an ad-blocker. I also sometimes need WebUSB and such things, but well, then I’ll use chrome once for that and be done with it.
Well then you are already doing what I suggested.
I’m not saying adopt Chrome as your main browser, I’m saying if Chrome alone has unique feature you think you might need, try it there. For example that allowed me to discover https://github.com/ArcaneNibble/awawausb
Consequently if you are curious about vertical tabs, do try it, even in a container, e.g. Webtop, if you want to be extra safe. I’m not suggesting to switch.
I strongly suggest you nuke Chrome every time you are done using it.
I switched to Zen a week ago and I haven’t ran into any issues with it, what do you find is broken with it?
I had some websites which didn’t work in some way. Can’t remember, which websites it were, just some big company websites where random buttons would just do nothing or similar. But I think it were only 2 or 3.
Other than that it’s fine. Sometimes it seems like tab management is a bit weird, I once had the browser open with about 100 new tabs besides the other ones I had saved. Just had to close them and done. On my Work-Laptop I have a folder pinned in one space and the popup for it’s contents is shifted down ~200px permanently for some reason. It’s all manageable.
That’s a web site design and architecture issue, not a browser issue. Most web sites are made for Chrome (Chromium-based) browsers, and anything based in Gecko is an afterthought, if anything.
I’d rather just not access a site if Chrome use is mandatory. LibreWolf has been fantastic for me the last 3 years or so. If I really need to access a “Chrome-exclusive” site, I use Brave, and then clear and reset everything in it in case I need it again.
I’d say it’s 50/50… actually 33/33/33.
First, in 2026 I think you need to fuck up pretty bad or use very special stuff in order for your website to only work on Chrome.
But of course Mozilla should behave just like every other browser (well there is basically only chromium right now) and all browsers in general should display websites in the same way. Back in the day you did choose which browser to support when you developed your website, but today you are basically just using browser standards.
Then… there is Google. They are blowing up and poisoning the web standards so much, for their own good and just to bring technology forward. They surely could be more careful and considerate while doing this, so that Mozilla would have a chance to participate.