Updated Firefox 2.0 was due to be released on Tuesday but the final version of the source browser was available from Mozilla FTP site early on Monday. Demand was such that the ftp.mozilla.org site appears to have buckled under the strain. However the software remains available from mirror sites such as one run by Oregon State University here.

Availability of the next edition of the open source browser follows the (also) delayed release of Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft's market leading proprietary alternative, last week.

Firefox 2.0 boasts a raft of new features including an integrated in-line spell checker, as well as an anti-phishing tool, tightly-integrated search, and improvements in tabbed browsing. Mozilla published the "almost ready" Release Candidate 3 version of the browser last Tuesday (17 October).

The software comes in 39 languages for systems running Windows, Mac and Linux computers from will be officially released through getfirefox.com from Tuesday (24 October). ®

Related stories

Firefox update fixes compatibility snags (22 March 2007)
Firefox 2.0: happier browsing, but secure? (30 January 2007)
Virgin foxes Firefox? (20 December 2006)
Firefox 3 alpha unleashed (11 December 2006)
Firefox outshines IE in phish fight (15 November 2006)
Microsoft unleashes improved Firefox (14 November 2006)
Firefox update aims to lance security bugs (9 November 2006)
Adobe opens Flash to Firefox (7 November 2006)
Old bugs blight shiny new browsers (30 October 2006)
IE7 spoofing bug pops up (26 October 2006)
Verisign backs Vista security green streak (25 October 2006)
IE7 unleashed (19 October 2006)
Mozilla brainstorms Firefox 3.0 (16 October 2006)
IE market share: What's going on? (12 October 2006)
Firefox 2.0 RC1 unveiled (27 September 2006)
Firefox 2.0 Beta 2 unleashed (1 September 2006)
Mozilla delays Firefox 2.0 release (17 August 2006)
Opera 10 roadmap charts cross-platform support (31 July 2006)
Opera 9 is go (21 June 2006)