Mozilla releases Firefox 157, introducing a comprehensive visual overhaul with the new Nova interface, alongside functional improvements like SSL key warnings and hardware-accelerated WebRTC, setting a new standard for desktop browsing.
Mozilla has shipped Firefox 157 with a broader visual overhaul than recent releases, making the new Nova interface the default for desktop users. According to Mozilla’s release notes and independent coverage from Phoronix, the update introduces rounder tabs, menus and form fields, together with softer colour accents and pastel gradients across the browser chrome. The change is the most substantial redesign the browser has seen in years, although Mozilla has stopped short of adopting the more dramatic floating-toolbar look that had appeared in earlier mock-ups. Nova is enabled across Windows and macOS, with Linux support available as an opt-in in some configurations.
The redesign also brings back Compact mode, which reduces spacing in tabs, toolbars and menu items to free up more room for page content. Mozilla says the setting is intended for smaller displays and split-screen use, and an automatic option can switch it on when needed. WindowsForum noted that the wider refresh is intended to make tab groups, split view and vertical tabs easier to reach, while keeping menus, shortcuts and extensions in familiar places.
Beyond the new appearance, Firefox 157 includes several functional changes. Mozilla now warns users when encryption keys are being recorded through an SSLKEYLOGFILE, both in Settings and in the site information panel, because those keys could let other software on the device inspect encrypted traffic. The browser also supports hardware AV1 decoding for WebRTC video calls where compatible hardware is available, and Mozilla has added improved theme matching for alerts, confirmation dialogs, prompts, picker controls and autocomplete elements. Phoronix also reported fixes for HDR video playback and better audio-video synchronisation when playback speed changes.
The release removes Amazon from Firefox’s built-in search engine list, and Mozilla says Firefox Suggest is now available in the address bar for users in a range of European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. Users who do not want sponsored suggestions can switch the feature off in Search settings. Mozilla’s developer documentation says Firefox 157 also adds the at-rule() function inside @supports, allowing developers to test support for specific CSS at-rules, and support for the WebGPU TRANSIENT_ATTACHMENT texture usage, which can reduce memory use during render passes. The company says security fixes are included as well.
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