Firefox OneLiner Add-On, Merge Address Bar And Tabs

Most web browsers are using two toolbars for the address and tabs that are open in the browser. Most developers in their quest to minimize the browser interface have thought about merging the address bar and tab bar. Microsoft for instance has done that to Internet Explorer 9 with an option to revert that change and split the two toolbars again.

Mozilla back in July released a Firefox add-on as part of the Mozilla Prospector series which acts as a prototyping test ground. OneLiner basically merges both the address bar and tabs bar in the Firefox web browser.

The following screenshot shows the standard Firefox layout and below that the browser interface after OneLiner has been installed.

In order to combine the navigation and tabs toolbars, the location bar is given a small fixed size while the search bar is collapsed to a single button.

The address bar functions exactly as before. The search form on the other hand has turned into a search button which loads a search engine on click in a tab. The actual tabs that are open in the web browser are displayed on the right of the search button.

The developers have added additional features to OneLiner. The back and forward buttons are automatically hidden when not in use to make more room for the location bar. The search form will be automatically filled with selected text or clipboard data to speed up the process of searching using the new interface. Firefox users who have OneLiner installed can also use the new keyboard shortcut Cltr-K to focus or open the search form in a new tab.

There is a downside to merging the location bar and tab bar. The space that is available for tabs is reduced which means that you won’t see as much of their titles as before. Firefox users interested in OneLiner can download and install it directly from the Mozilla Add-On repository.

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Author: Martin Brinkmann, Thursday August 11, 2011 -
Tags:address bar, Firefox, firefox add-ons, oneliner, tabbar

Responses so far:

1. Sina says:

   August 12, 2011 at 4:00 am

   Thanks Martin.

   Needless to say that over 80% of Fx users love to install add-ons and play with them.

   Another thing is after Fx changed Search Hotkey since Version4, I used Ctrl+K to focus on Search Box; until I found Change Search Shortcut add-on to Replace Ctrl+E back.

   Reply
2. misssunshine says:

   August 12, 2011 at 7:40 am

   Simpler the interface is .More space can be used for view websites.How i wish orca browser also can do it .

   Reply
3. Pomodoro method says:

   August 12, 2011 at 12:20 pm

   I’ve installed it but disappeared the search field… I see if I can find a solution. The button with the lens open the home page in the active tab, very annoying. Also it creates too much movement …

   Reply