Mozilla launches Firefox 157 with Project Nova redesign

Mozilla has launched Firefox 157, introducing a major visual overhaul codenamed Project Nova. This update brings a modernized design to both desktop and mobile platforms, featuring rounded tabs, updated iconography, and a new color palette with warmer tones and subtle gradients. The redesign aims to create a consistent visual language across all devices.

A key feature of this release is the return of Compact Mode, a highly requested option that reduces the size of toolbars and tabs to maximize screen space for web content. Additionally, users gain enhanced customization through a new theme picker with wallpaper support and improved New Tab page organization.

Technical improvements include hardware-accelerated AV1 decoding for WebRTC video calls, improved HDR rendering on Windows, and better audio/video synchronization. The update also introduces a master toggle to disable generative AI tools and provides security warnings if the browser is configured to log encryption keys. Mozilla emphasizes that these aesthetic changes do not compromise browser performance or its open-source, privacy-focused foundation.