April 2nd, 2008
Google Browser Sync for Firefox 3
posted by Midwinter
One of my favourite extensions for my preferred choice of web browser (Mozilla Firefox) has to be Google Browser Sync.
This nifty extension lets you synchronise not only your bookmarks, but visited URLs, passwords and history across all of the browsers you install it on. For example I run it in the office at work, then shut down the PC for the day and head home. I load up Firefox on my home PC and all of my tabs are there from when I left work.
I also use it to synch my browsers across all of my workstations and servers, it beats having to copy paste through Remote Desktop or VNC. As it’s a Firefox extension, there’s no problem when I switch from Windows to Mac and then to Linux.
The only slight problem at the moment is that when I come to upgrade to Firefox 3, it’s no longer supported for that browser version. To be honest it would be already be installed it would work with Browser Sync.
Google have been extremely non responsive on this so far - maybe they just haven’t noticed or perhaps it was someone’s 20% project? If everyone who, like myself, is interested in getting Browser Sync back for FF3 can send them a nice email then maybe I can selfishly migrate!
UPDATE
I’ve been trawling the web a little more to find other people who have commented on this issue, and there’s not an inconsiderable number of others who have noticed. If you go to this thread over on Google groups there’s already a fairly extended number of posts asking for the update.
Adrianm suggests:
“I’ve sent an email to the support alias (labs+browsersync@google.com), so we’ll see what comes back..”
That was on the 19th March, maybe it’s something we should all try? I think I’d rather not suggest a mass email campaign to be honest. What’d be great though is if just one person with a contact at Google can let them know we’re interested! A response either way is just fine by me, then I can tackle the unknown territory that is Mozilla’s Weave.
UPDATE
Just today(April 3rd) Google Groups user mirage posted this:
“Let me just add to this thread and ask for the same thing: please port browser sync to firefox 3. It’s a life saver, and it’s really a bad predicament to have to choose between firefox 3 and browser sync.”
Which exactly mirrors my sentiments. We’re getting a surprising amount of traffic through on Google now with people literally typing in ‘Google Browser Sync Firefox 3′ to try and find any more information on the subject. Let’s see if we can take this momentum and see if we can draw an official response from Google on the matter.
If anyone has any suggestions then drop us a comment or send me an email. I have noticed our server isn’t playing ball with all the traffic coming through on this but we’re in the middle of moving our hosting across to a new dedicated box so hopefully we’ll improve in service a little! I’ll go fire up wp-cache now.
UPDATE
It’s April 9th, I’ve emailed Google’s Press email address after receiving no response at the labs+browsersync address. I think that we need to spread the word about this a little and try and get some support. I’m going to see if some larger tech news sites are interested in giving us a hand.
UPDATE
I received a reply from Google’s Press team (April 10th):
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your interest in Google Browser Sync. This is the first time this has been noted. I am looking into this but it may take a little while.
Best,
C.
So, we were the first to actually make them aware of this interest? It must be difficult to have so many products (and good ones at that) that you can actually lose track of them. Now we know that Google have our pleas noted though and that’s the only response I was looking for.
I’ve also been looking into other avenues - namely the technical challenges to get Google Browser Sync to work correctly with FF3. I suspect I’ve hit upon a snag:
Bookmarks & History
If your extension accesses bookmark or history data in any way, it will need substantial work to be compatible with Firefox 3. The old APIs for accessing this information have been replaced by the new Places architecture. See the Migration Guide for Places for details on updating your existing extension to use the Places API.
This is from Mozilla’s developer documents for extensions. Essentially it looks like the structure of the data itself may have changed significantly enough that the API at Google’s end would also need updating. If this is the case then it means that a 3rd party form of the extension would need to host it’s files away from Google’s servers. Then again maybe not if the new Google App Engine can be used.
38 Responses to “Google Browser Sync for Firefox 3”
By Popein on Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
I feel the same, I would be using FF3 if Brwser Sync was working.
However, let’s remember Firefox 3 is just in beta 5, and many of the internals Browser Synch touches change from beta to beta. I think it’s normal an extension like this is made available later, after RC1 probably.
Weave and others are not what I need, I use Browser Sync for cookies and saved passwords, which is very convenient for me.
By Midwinter on Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
I think what gets us mostly is a lack of response so far?
I think google’s new toolbar even takes some sync features - but it’s a format I disklike entirely ever since AOL toolbars used to inject themselves into your internet explorer install.
It was probably dumb luck that when upgrading from firefox 1.5 to 2 browser sync still worked.
What we need though, is to get some information!
By Jake on Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
Yep, I am one who literally typed in “Google browser sync Firefox 3.”
Google! Open up the project and let us help!
By Joakim Westin on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
I agree with those who would like Browser Sync for FireFox 3.
And I also think that it is strange that Google doesn’t at least comment on this or make some form of statement.
Google Browser Sync is a lifesaver
Cheers,
Joakim
By Ethan Cane on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
This is a must for Google to get the case with, Firefox 3 is just around the corner and with the release of Hardy Heron at the end of this month and Firefox 3 available they had better get this sorted out soon!
By Ethan Cane on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Even getting slated over at Wikipedia about the lack of support for Firefox 3.
Sort it out boys and girls!
PLEASE!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Browser_Sync
By Midwinter on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
I’ve tried to make contact with the team, the total lack of response since I have done so makes it hard to draw a conclusion as to the ‘why’.
Maybe the team’s been disbanded? I have no idea but as of this week we are getting more traffic for just this post than the rest of the site combined. There is a huge amount of interest to see this implemented quickly.
By kintaro on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
I must agree, this is a mandatory requirement. I could not do without Google Browser Sync. I have used it since its release, and nothing else compares! I run Linux, Mac and Windows and this extension is truly a gem.
I do like FF3 and this extension is a must have for me. How Google hasn’t heard of this request is beyond me, so if that Post replies here, and also post on the google groups page, there is a good list of supporters on the group thread “Please update google browser sync for firefox 3″
Lets get that extension
By Joe on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
I couldn’t have Firefox 3 without Google Browser Sync. I’m going to send an e-mail to both Labs and Press now.
By Philip on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
If Google want to be highhanded about this and ignore there customers, hopefully someone else will write a similar addon.
Looks like Google are getting too big for their boots and need a bit of competition anyway.
By Popein on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
Philip, don’t be silly. We are very anxious but we can’t get mad for Google not providing an update for a BETA version if Firefox.
It is a very nice addon and service Google provided for free, and we can’t assume they will not update it when the browser gets released. Things are still changing in the browser, and this, I guess, is working with some components that may change. You would not be happy if they provided an update which would stop working in RC1 or is not stable or create trouble with your bookmarks/cookies/etc.
BTW: It’s “their” customers, not “there” customers.
By gsarig on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
Same here. I want to use FF3 but I can’t (won’t) do it without Google Browser Sync.
By Midwinter on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
I’m with Popein here… As I outlined above there are technical challenges to moving the extension to a compatible format with Firefox 3’s Places system. The technical specs have been laid out for this so there shouldn’t be a problem with future betas changing though what would be cool is to hear some feedback from Google.
By ungullible.com on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
Foxmarks (http://www.foxmarks.com) is actively updating their plug-in to sync FF3 bookmarks. You can create an account and then ask to be in their beta test group (I got my invite a few days after asking), or you can wait for the full release. The up-side is that it syncs both FF2 & FF3 bookmarks. The downside is that it *only* syncs bookmarks - not passwords, history, cookies, or anything else.
By gsarig on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
I already tried Foxmarks, but as you said, it syncs only bookmarks. I use 3 different computers almost every day and google browser sync “spoiled” me, with it’s ability to sync passwords, history, cookies etc.
By bobisimo on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for the effort you are putting forth toward this endeavor. I’d been going to the Google group every few days expecting I’d see an answer there (which is how I found your site). Apparently, Google doesn’t pay as much attention to their own groups. Anyway, my fingers are crossed on this one. Weave and Foxmarks don’t seem to do what I want (not yet, anyway): synchronize bookmarks *and* sync active tabs (especially, but also), history, cookies, and passwords.
Let’s hope Google gets back to you before Firefox 3 is shipped.
By jeroen020 on Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
I’m totally with you guys. Got a mac and a few PC’s and was totally spoiled. FF2 was slow on the mac though, my brother recommened I’d give FF3b a go - and it’s much more responsive, less of a resource hog. However I miss Google Browser Sync, so much so that I’m now thinking of switching back to FF2 just for this feature. But I don’t want to make that choice!
Google’s response so far is not very encouraging - how about I click on a 100 google ads. If everybody here does that, Google makes enough to pay for an engineer to spend a couple of days to port this brilliant extension to FF3 right?
By Yeah Right on Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
How about if we all threaten to never click on a Google-hosted Ad every again until we get our GBS for FF3?
By Gustavo on Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
Same here! Firefox 3 has zoom and I cant go back to 2 just because GB Sync doesnt work on 3
I’ll be waiting for such an incredible extension, Im really tired of using notepad to carry on most of my urls user/pass settings 
By Ercin EKER on Apr 22, 2008 | Reply
Soo… Any other news?
By Simon on Apr 22, 2008 | Reply
Guess what’s the first hit when I’m searching for “Google browser sync Firefox beta 3″ …This. Come on Google, pull your collective finger out and get it done!
By Midwinter on Apr 22, 2008 | Reply
Ercin - I’ve heard nothing back from Google’s press team since they said they were looking into it. I’ll give them a little reminder.
Simon - I did mention that to them!
By oo on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
Just switched to FF3b5 and noticed that Browser Sync doesn’t work anymore. It forces me to go back to FF2 unfortunately. What a shame that the Google devs haven’t prepared an update yet
I suggest that they post the source code and let us do their work.
By Roger on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
We want it now! Ubuntu 8.04 brings FF3 which is really cool, but we need google sync bookmarks… Otherwise I will use another app!
By Matt on Apr 26, 2008 | Reply
I wish id googled this 4 hours ago as ive been messing around with max version overides to see if i can get it working. On the plus side its been noted though i think we all need to mail Google about it to keep it on there radar
By Ben on Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
I also emailed the Google Browser sync address and had no response (I emailed a few weeks ago). Has anyone else heard much back from them?
By Matt Moore on Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
I think it may be time to give up on GBS and move onto Weave. Of course, we won’t know for sure about GBS until FF3 is out of beta, but the fact that they don’t reply at all is a very bad sign.
Weave is working pretty well for me, and I would bet it has full support for cookies and passwords soon. At that point it will be a full replacement.
And if they manage to make it sync add-ons, too, it’ll be teh awesome. Right now I use a weird combo of FolderShare and SyncToy to take care of that.
By Max Rathbone on Apr 29, 2008 | Reply
I decided to create an online petition. I hope to garner enough signatures and momentum with it that will allow us to show Google how many of us really need Google Sync. Please consider posting this petition URL to any blog, article, forum, or email that you send to spread the word.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/googlebrowsersyncff3/
By Brendt Peeters on May 3, 2008 | Reply
I am going to give Google at least until FF3 get’s itself out of beta.
I love Google Browser Sync, but I can’t wait for the beauty that FF3 brings to the table.
Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated! Hopefully something comes about!
By corep.dk on May 3, 2008 | Reply
same here - love browser sync hope they will update asap even though ff3 is still beta
By UncleZeiv on May 7, 2008 | Reply
same here… this is preventing me to update towards the latest ubuntu. I’m looking for alternatives.
Updating the extension shouldn’t be *that* difficult, it’s a matter of using a different API… any developer would like to try? The code is available, just open the .xpi…
By Aaron on May 7, 2008 | Reply
I add my voice in the demand for google browser sync for ff3.
By Ryan on May 9, 2008 | Reply
Google needs to address this issue
By keith on May 15, 2008 | Reply
Please bring back my google sync
By bobisimo on May 17, 2008 | Reply
Firefox 3 RC1 is now out and still no word from Google about updates - though I expect we’re not likely to hear anything anytime soon. I’d expect if they say anything, it’d be post-release, i.e. June. And even if we don’t hear anything by then, the next big Weave release will be in June…