Mozilla launches "Jetpack" API for Firefox

Foundation hopes to revolutionize browser extensions

21 May 2009 11:18 GMT / By Duncan Geere

The Mozilla foundation has announced the availability of a new research project called "Jetpack". It's an attempt to change how browser extensions work and make things easier for both developers and consumers.

Although browser extensions have long been one of Firefox's central features, they're only now starting to infiltrate other browsers. They're little add-on bits of code that do things, like control a music player, display a weather forecast or interact with the web in other ways.

Jetpack makes it easier for developers by enabling them to write in web technologies like HTML, CSS and Javascript. Anyone who's able to build a website will be able to build browser extensions.

It's also easier for the user, because Jetpack will allow extensions to be installed without the browser restart that the process normally requires.

Jetpack, like most things that Mozilla births, is open-source and the foundation is welcoming people who want to participate in its development.