Mozilla has launched Firefox 149.0 with significant updates including a split view feature that loads two webpages side-by-side. The browser now includes a free VPN service allowing users to mask their location and IP address. Firefox also automatically blocks website notifications and revokes malicious websites flagged by SafeBrowsing by default, enhancing security for all users.

The split view can be triggered by right-clicking a link or selecting two tabs in the address bar. The free VPN requires a Mozilla account and includes a 50GB monthly data cap, with rollout currently limited to France, Germany, the UK, and US. Mozilla has also added a new "share" button to the toolbar and introduced a tab notes feature in Firefox Labs for user feedback.

Firefox 149 implements hardware acceleration for PDFs, which should improve document loading speeds. The update also brings modern API implementations and a new TrustPanel. These improvements position Firefox as a competitive alternative to other browsers with built-in privacy features and multitasking capabilities.