Firefox 3 to launch next week

Mozilla has said Firefox 3 is set to be launched 17 June.

The open-source browser entered Release Candidate 3 yesterday, but that was only to mop up some outstanding issues with the Mac OS X version of the browser.

Mozilla said the Windows and Linux versions were ready for launch after RC2.

"We have a lot of indicators that help us understand when the product is ready for release: feedback from our pre-release milestones, excitement in the community and the press, availability of compatible Add-Ons, and a large active beta community helping us ensure that the release is compatible with all the various sites on the internet," Mozilla said on its Developer News website.

"After more than 34 months of active development, and with the contributions of thousands, we're proud to announce that we're ready. It is our expectation to ship Firefox 3 this upcoming Tuesday, 17 June."

Those who can't be bothered to wait until Tuesday can download Firefox 3 RC3 here.

Barry Collins

Barry Collins is an experienced IT journalist who specialises in Windows, Mac, broadband and more. He's a former editor of PC Pro magazine, and has contributed to many national newspapers, magazines and websites in a career that has spanned over 20 years. You may have seen Barry as a tech pundit on television and radio, including BBC Newsnight, the Chris Evans Show and ITN News at Ten.