Mozilla will release the latest version of its popular open-source Web browser, Firefox, Tuesday. The release comes after three release candidates (RC) and will push the number of Firefox downloads over 1 billion worldwide. A spokesperson for Mozilla confirmed in an e-mail that the launch of Firefox 3.5 is "timed for tomorrow." The release of the latest version of the open-source Web 
browsers comes after Mozilla went through RC. Firefox RC 3.5 was released late last week. According to the Official Mozilla Blog, the RC 3.5 milestone is "focused on providing a preview of the functionality provided by the new features and changes that will be included in Firefox 3.5." Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's Director of Firefox, expects that the release of Firefox 3.5 will mark a major milestone for proponents of the open-source Web browsers. "We expect the cumulative number of Firefox downloads to surpass 1 [billion] shortly after we release [Firefox 3.5]," Beltzner responded in a tweet. While 1 billion downloads of the software is significant, Mozilla's Firefox is also gaining on its competitors in terms of browser market share. According to numbers from Market Share, Firefox gained 20 percent of the browser market share in November 2008. As of May 2009, the market share numbers have Firefox at 22.51 percent. Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT)'s Internet Explorer continues to retain the Web browser market share lead at 65.50 percent. Apple (NSDQ:AAPL)'s Safari browser has captured 8.43 percent of the market.
browsers comes after Mozilla went through RC. Firefox RC 3.5 was released late last week. According to the Official Mozilla Blog, the RC 3.5 milestone is "focused on providing a preview of the functionality provided by the new features and changes that will be included in Firefox 3.5." Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's Director of Firefox, expects that the release of Firefox 3.5 will mark a major milestone for proponents of the open-source Web browsers. "We expect the cumulative number of Firefox downloads to surpass 1 [billion] shortly after we release [Firefox 3.5]," Beltzner responded in a tweet. While 1 billion downloads of the software is significant, Mozilla's Firefox is also gaining on its competitors in terms of browser market share. According to numbers from Market Share, Firefox gained 20 percent of the browser market share in November 2008. As of May 2009, the market share numbers have Firefox at 22.51 percent. Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT)'s Internet Explorer continues to retain the Web browser market share lead at 65.50 percent. Apple (NSDQ:AAPL)'s Safari browser has captured 8.43 percent of the market.
