Firefox headed to the PS3? Can life get any better?

Playstation Insider's got a tipster (one that's reportedly "very close" to the company) telling them that Sony is in heavy talks with Mozilla to port Firefox to the PS3. The tipster didn't know if any actual deal had been struck, but it's not terribly surprising considering the PS3's current built-in browser is less than awesome. That said, Firefox has actually crashed twice on us in the last 15 minutes, and no, we're not making that up.

[Artaxiad Posted Nov 19th 2009 3:55PM]

Hahaha.

[B3astofthe3ast Posted Nov 19th 2009 3:56PM]

I don't have any problems with the PS3 web browser, but firefox would be cool I suppose.

[Dustin F Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:04PM]

@B3astofthe3ast

I have problems with the PS3 browser. It's not bad at all, 99% of the time, and it handles Pandora and most of my webpages, but Firefox is a much better product! It's great to see the PS3, only 3 years old, continue to get better. I hope they follow through on this with speed, instead of taking years like they did with Home. There is absolutely no reason why the Firefox in Ubuntu on my PS3 should be that much better than the one in the PS3 OS.

Why doesn't Hulu work on my PS3?

[Andir Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:10PM]

@Gimboa I'm pretty sure Hulu is blocking PS3 browser users...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:42PM]

@B3astofthe3ast

If they allow Add-Ons to be ported over to the PS3 version this will be a killer app...

[NikAmi Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:53PM]

@B3astofthe3ast And can you imagine if they started shipping the PS3 with a basic keyboard/touchpad?

/nerdgasm

[Rick James Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:00PM]

@B3astofthe3ast
I swear Sony is reading my mind...Yesterday I was talking about how Sony should make an app store. And earlier today I posted on joystiq that Firefox would be pretty sweet.

[Puggs Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:32PM]

I really hope this happens because maybe it will kick MS in the nuts and make them release a long over due browser for the 360.

[nrb Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:43PM]

@Gimboa "Why doesn't Hulu work on my PS3?"

Andir is correct. Hulu used to work on the PS3 until Hulu decided to actively block it. They detect the PS3 and refuse to serve videos to it.

[phinn Posted Nov 20th 2009 12:21AM]

@B3astofthe3ast The PS3 browser is okay, in the 3.10 update is actually works better (which is the best part about the update if you ask me), I noticed that both Facebook and Youtube load a bit faster for example and render better.

That been said, Firefox on PS3 would be awesome, although I doubt this rumor is true.

[Johanu Posted Nov 20th 2009 12:25PM]

@B3astofthe3ast Well, if it supports addons it'll be a great addition.

[Rod Posted Nov 19th 2009 3:58PM]

Freaky stuff...FF just crashed on me as I bought this article up! It's definitely not as dependable as it used to be, but still a good development.

[molongal Posted Nov 19th 2009 7:01PM]

@Rod My Firefox crashes or freezes nearly everytime I try to use this site since the upgade. IE slows right down and becomes unusable. I'm using a fairly capable machne (Core 2 Duo) so its not like its boggin my computer down. I'm posting from Firefox now as the submit button wont appear in IE. Doesn't do it for any other site.

[conscious Posted Nov 20th 2009 12:12AM]

@Rod Just today I had enough of FF taking up over a GIG of RAM when I only had a handful of tabs open. This caused considerable slowdown and has resulted in many crashes followed by the 'Well, this is embarrassing' message that comes up when FF is unable to reopen the tabs from the previous session'. Well I'm not embarrassed to say I'm done, guys. Chrome is my default now.

[Slick Posted Nov 20th 2009 1:32AM]

@Rod & the other two comments

The ONLY time my FF gets above a gig is when I have 30+ tabs open (not "a couple"). Ad-block plus, Weatherbug, Chatzilla, FireFTP, IETab, Stylish, and the VLC add-on, virtually every media codec installed, and I have it crash on me maybe once a month, and thats only when I get above that 30 tab range. Its still the best browser I've ever used to date.

Its still a rock solid browser. Though i will say if you're

[conscious Posted Nov 20th 2009 3:19AM]

@Slick You're one of the lucky ones then, because I wish I was exaggerating.

[danfreak Posted Nov 20th 2009 3:57AM]

@Rod
Are you all using the new Flash 10.1 beta by any chance? After I installed that, I had Firefox frequently crash, and eat over 1Gb RAM. Since I've un-installed it and gone back to 10.0, smooth as butter again...

[Rod Posted Nov 20th 2009 5:54AM]

@danfreak

It's been a solid browser for years now, but I have found more IE type issues popping up over time...especially in the past year - especially plugin problems. But you're right, I did install the 10.1 Flash Beta the other day and forgot, so maybe that's more the problem.

I didn't notice any difference in the video performance in running streaming video and flash, even though my HW is supported, so i'm happy to go back to v10. Cheers for the reminder.

[Bobbo Posted Nov 19th 2009 3:58PM]

Google Chrome OS on PS3....now that would be interesting

[Dustin F Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:06PM]

@Jon

Actually, that would be a very smart move. It's a shame the RAM is limited a bit on the PS3, but if they made their system able to handle real desktop applications, online, a lot of people would benefit. I don't think this will happen, but it really should.

[Iceman Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:19PM]

@Jon Anything would be better than the IE they have on their now. Argh

[TC Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:09PM]

@Jon Good call - I can definitely see the future PS4 having Google Chrome as the other OS - Microsoft will probably bundle a lite version of Windows7 on the next xbox in retaliation - good times all round for the next gen of consoles!

[TC Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:14PM]

@Jon - hold on - @ Jon?? who the hell is Jon? Can we edit comments? I thought we all wanted to edit comments - own up now whoever told Engadget what we wanted instead was a weird layout and serif font, the joke's over and I hope you're pleased with yourself.

[Alex McKee Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:15PM]

@Iceman Sorry, but it's definitely not IE. It runs a custom version of the NetFront browser used by many Sony phones, the Mylo, and the PSP. Also, the Kindle and most embedded devices based on VxWorks use it. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetFront

[Entourage Posted Nov 20th 2009 12:37AM]

You guys must have a butt load of extensions and add ons if your FF is crashing.

While this is very nice to read I would be more at stoke if they released Chrome on the PS3.

[DrJeckyl Posted Nov 20th 2009 12:59AM]

@Jon I'd like that very much.

[googleadam Posted Nov 19th 2009 3:58PM]

hmmm...
YESS!!

Thank god, the web browser isn't too bad as a basic browser, but its really hampered. Hope this (if true) will make a better web browsing experience on my PS3

[googleadam Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:01PM]

@googleadam

And am I the only one who never really has random Firefox browser crashes?! I mean I leave Firefox open pretty much always, hibernating and putting it on standby Very often and never really had it crash.

The only last experience I had with a crash was from a plugin, and I uninstalled it and it worked fine again.

[Andir Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:12PM]

@googleadam I don't think I've ever had a crash that wasn't my fault... (I'm a developer and I like to push things)

Browsing and general 'net usage has been stellar.

[Steve B Posted Nov 20th 2009 1:10AM]

@googleadam
I haven't had a Firefox crash for months except for a couple random times when visiting Facebook...stupid Facebook.

[Tesche Posted Nov 19th 2009 3:58PM]

If key firefox pluggins end up being supported, this is awesome news...
If it becomes just an alternate browser choice...meh.

[Nick Meijer Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:00PM]

I'd rather have Chrome OS on my "fat" PS3 with Linux option.

[ajdrausal Posted Nov 19th 2009 10:51PM]

@Nick
That Be sweet

[Joe Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:00PM]

Life would be better with Linux support back on the Slim. But getting apps ported to the PS3 OS is a start!

[Skaz Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:00PM]

Nice. Although Navigating and typing with the remote would stink.

[Mr Everdred 01 Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:10PM]

@Skaz You can use almost any usb mouse or keyboard on the PS3

[Skaz Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:13PM]

@MrEverdred01 Rock on. How about wireless stuff? That logitech clam thing would be neat. I forget what its called. But i was thinking about getting one of them for when i build my HTPC.

[Andir Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:28PM]

@Skaz I have a Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo that uses a USB dongle and it works fine. It doesn't have great range though, so take that into account if you want a wireless solution.

[Skaz Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:39PM]

@Myself Heres the item i was thinking about earlier. The diNovo Mini. I think this would be neat and not such an Eye sore if you didn't plan on gaming on your HTPC. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848&cl=us,en

[Skaz Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:42PM]

@Myself again. haha. ment to say PS3 along with the HTPC ;). I hope to pick up a PS3 over the holidays. I've been holding out wayyyy to long. Looking forward to the bluray as well. =).

[Mick Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:09PM]

@Skaz
that works fine. it says on the feature page aswell thats its compatible with the ps3. bluetooth 3.0 too so no dongle

[Nicnac Posted Nov 19th 2009 5:15PM]

@Skaz
Yes that works well. I have the Logitech Edge. Paired it to the PS3, and flawless. The touchpad works on the xmb ;)

[Solipsism Posted Nov 19th 2009 9:08PM]

@Skaz you can attach USB keyboards & mice to the PS3 and it will recognize them, and even webcams, I assume I could pair my bluetooth keyboard with the PS3 as well, but I've never tried.

[Terrillo Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:01PM]

Love Firefox, using it now. HATE THE CRASHING

[Juice Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:01PM]

A better browser would be nice. But I've had Firefox crash so much my Vista machine I switched to Google Chrome. So I'm not sure if this would be a bonus or not.

[MastrCake Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:11PM]

@Juice

Same here. Firefox, Safari, and IE all crash on my Vista machine, but not Chrome.

[Juice Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:14PM]

@MastrCake

Yeah Chrome is very clean and well thought out IMHO.

[MastrCake Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:01PM]

I would take any web browser in the world over the PS3 web browser (yes, even IE, sucky as it may be), so this is excellent news if true.

[Conceyted Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:01PM]

Last podcast all you all could do was dog on Firefox and praise Safari. Now life can't get any better because it is coming to PS3? Contradict much?

[Laura June Posted Nov 19th 2009 4:03PM]

@Conceyted meet my friend sarcasm.