Mozilla turns on Facebook integration in Firefox 17

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Mozilla has enabled in-browser Facebook messaging in Firefox 17.

Last week Mozilla announced its intention to integrate social network messaging with Firefox through its Social API. Now the organisation has enabled Facebook messaging directly through the web browser without the user having to visit Facebook's website.

Mozilla said Firefox users will have to authorise Facebook before messaging can occur. Once users allow Facebook access, they can receive updates and Facebook chat messages from a Facebook Toolbar positioned on the right hand side of the browser window.

When Mozilla announced its Social API, the firm said Facebook integration is just the first collaboration and that it will add other social networking providers. Mozilla said its goals for the Social API were, "To build a social standard for the Web to give developers more opportunities and users more choice, much like we did with our work on Opensearch. Imagine using the Firefox sidebar, toolbar buttons and even an Awesomebar button for news, music, finances, email, group projects and more."

While Mozilla's decision to bring Facebook interaction closer to its users might prove to be popular, it will be interesting to see how much it affects Facebook's advertising revenue, as Firefox users will be able to get away without having to visit its website. µ