Firefox is due to get a visual refresh soon with the upcoming Proton release, but it seems that not every existing feature will make the cut.
That’s because the Compact Density option, which reduces the height of the browser’s user interface, is set to be removed.
What Is Firefox Proton?
Firefox Proton is the nickname for Firefox 89, which is due for release on May 18, 2021.
It’s different to most regular Firefox updates because it comes with a big overhaul of the browser’s user interface. Elements like the hamburger menu and new tab page will be given a brand-new look.
Why Is Compact Density Mode Being Removed From Firefox?
Compact Density is an existing Firefox feature that reduces the amount of space the web browser takes up on your screen. It can be found by going to Menu > Customize > Density.
Over the years, in a move to be more mobile-friendly, many websites have favored large elements and white space. It means that screen real estate becomes a premium when browsing the web, which is why Compact Density mode is so useful.
However, it’s due to be removed from Firefox Proton, as recorded on Bugzilla (the tool that Mozilla use to track development and bugs for Firefox).
The task is titled “Remove compact mode inside Density menu of customize palette”, with the description explaining that difficult decisions have to be made to keep Firefox simple to use and easy to maintain.
The task description continues:
The “Compact” density is a feature of the “Customize toolbar” view which is currently fairly hard to discover, and we assume gets low engagement. We want to make sure that we design defaults that suit most users and we’ll be retiring the compact mode for this reason.
As the comments on the task point out, it’s curious that Mozilla are basing this on assumption. It’s common for features to be added and removed, but ideally this should be based on quantifiable data.
However, it seems that not all hope is lost for Compact Density mode. The final comment on the task is from Mozilla software developer Marco Bonardo, who says that the “people in charge of making this decision have been notified [about the feedback]”.
Further comments on the task have been restricted due to the amount of attention this change is receiving. Here’s hoping that Compact Density mode gets the justice it deserves.