[via BetaNews]

New features in Firefox 2.0 include enhancements in security, tabbed browsing, performance, and extensions. The browser update also includes a built-in spell checking and an anti-phishing feature, much like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7. JavaScript 1.7 and improved subscribing of RSS feeds are also among the additions. […]

Mozilla expects to issue three release candidates of Firefox 2.0 before it goes gold in October. Visual tweaks and new graphics will be introduced during that timeframe. In the meantime, Mozilla plans to release Firefox 1.5.0.7 around September 5.

Despite the delays, Firefox is making considerable strides competing against Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Firefox has passed 15 percent usage in the United States, and recently topped 200 million total downloads since the browser’s 1.0 launch in November 2004.