Firefox gets a variable release schedule

Mozilla announced a change to the release schedule of the Firefox web browser that moves it from a six-week interval to a variable interval.

When Mozilla announced the rapid release cycle for Firefox, it did so to get features and updates to users faster and to stay competitive.

The move was not liked by all users of the browser. Critics accused Mozilla of following into Google's footsteps with the change, and that it did not make sense to release near feature-less updates for the web browser.

Firefox has seen a new release every six weeks ever since Mozilla switched to the faster release cycle with a few notable exceptions where new versions, such as Firefox 18, were delayed before they were released.

Mozilla considered switching to a nine-week release cycle back in 2013, but that did not happen.

Today's announcement makes the Firefox release cycle variable in time. The main reason for the move is to give Mozilla flexibility when it comes to releasing new versions of the browser.

We are moving to a variably scheduled six-to-eight week release cycle for Firefox. With this new release cycle, we will deliver the same number of releases per year but gain a few significant benefits over the previous six week fixed model.

For example, we will now be able to adjust release dates to respond to emerging user and market needs and provide at least six working weeks for every release.

The new schedule shows a variable release cycle between five to eight weeks for new releases. It is likely that the schedule will be adjusted based no future events that Mozilla cannot foresee right now, considering that the organization's reasoning for making the schedule variable is better response options to "emerging user and market needs".

 

Closing Words

The change should give Mozilla more control when it comes to releasing Firefox updates, considering that it can add a week or two of development to deliver important feature updates to the Firefox community.

The impact of the change should be minimal for users of the browser. Organizations in which Firefox is deployed may need to adjust their testing and deployment schedule though to take the changes into account.

Now You: What's your take on the rapid release cycle, and the announced changes?