US
In the US Firefox 4 beta 1 coverage was mostly positive to neutral and focuses on the UI changes, such as tabs on top, a hiding menu bar as well as the feedback button. Other themes in coverage include Firefox 4 beta support for HTML5 and WebM as well as performance increases in the browser.

The most recent coverage has been more in-depth with many publications taking readers on a “visual tour” of Firefox 4 beta and outlets getting “hands on” with the latest release.

Channel Web: Four Things To Know About Mozilla’s Firefox 4 Beta
Computerworld: Firefox 4 beta 1 is smart-looking, snappy
Conceivably Tech: Firefox 4.0 Beta 1 Hits 100,000 Downloads
CNET: Firefox’s future looks like other browsers (video)
Download Squad: Firefox 4.0 beta 1 released, get it while it’s hot!
Engadget: Firefox 4 Beta 1 now available for download
eWEEK: Enterprise Applications: Mozilla’s Firefox 4 Web Browser Gets an Overhaul, Inside and Out
Geek Sugar: Firefox 4 Beta Ready For Download
The Guardian: Firefox 4: New look, more speed
InformationWeek: Mozilla Releases Firefox 4 Beta 1
InternetNews.com: Firefox 4 Beta Debuts With New Windows UI
Macworld: First Look: Firefox 4 beta
Mashable: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released
PC Mag: Hands On with Firefox 4 Beta 1
PC World: Mozilla Launches Firefox 4 Beta
The Register: Mozilla stokes Firefox 4 with first beta build
Softpedia: Firefox 4.0 Beta 1 – the New UI
TechWorld: Mozilla Firefox 4 Beta 1
Ubergizmo: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Released To The Public
VentureBeat: Firefox 4 Beta 1 ready for its closeup
Wall Street Journal: Amid New Browser Wars, Next Version of Firefox Debuts
WIRED: Firefox 4 Beta 1 Now Available for Download
ZDNet: Mozilla releases Firefox 4 beta version

France
French press focused on the sneak preview aspect of what will be the next Firefox 4.0 with factual descriptions of the features and incoming innovations of this new release. Some articles really underline the challenge to launch this new version with a very different browser landscape compared to previous releases.

http://www.pcinpact.com/actu/news/58121-firefox-4-beta-1-nouveautes-telechargements-mozilla.htm
http://www.lesnumeriques.com/telecharger-firefox-4-version-beta-news-14722.html
http://www.itespresso.fr/navigateur-version-beta-firefox-40-est-deja-la-35906.html
http://www.echosdunet.net/dossiers/dossier_5457_firefox+40+beta+1+est+arrive.html
http://www.01net.com/editorial/519076/firefox-4-0-les-nouveautes-en-images/
http://www.20minutes.fr/article/584123/Web-Firefox-4-beta-le-test.php
http://hightech.nouvelobs.com/actualites/depeche/20100708.ZDN2477/firefox-4-beta-1-est-disponible-en-telechargement.html
http://www.silicon.fr/fr/news/2010/07/07/mozilla_livre_la_premiere_beta_de_firefox_4
http://www.clubic.com/navigateur-internet/mozilla-firefox/actualite-351376-mozilla-beta-firefox.html
http://www.generation-nt.com/telecharger-firefox-4-beta-mozilla-actualite-1047321.html
http://www.journaldugeek.com/2010/07/07/firefox-4-beta-1-en-telechargement/
http://www.programmez.com/actualites.php?titre_actu=Firefox-4-arrive-en-version-beta&id_actu=7851
http://www.erenumerique.fr/firefox_4_0_beta_1_quoi_de_neuf_-news-19541.html
http://www.maxisciences.com/firefox/firefox-4-une-premiere-version-beta-disponible_art8268.html

Germany
We have seen a lot of coverage on Firefox 4 Beta 1 in Germany with more than 200 articles published. All the major technology media and some of the important business media wrote about the Beta 1. There is a lot of excitement about the new version, and speed and UI changes are consistent themes. German media says that after Firefox broke IE’s dominance in Germany it is now under pressure itself.

Süddeutsche: First insight into Fx4
Handelsblatt: New Fx4 in new look should be faster
Heise: First Beta from Fx4 in new look
ComputerBild: First Beta of Fx4 released now
CHIP: Tips, tricks and more add-ons for Fx4 Beta
ZDNet: Fx4 Beta 1 ready for download
PC Welt: Fx4 Beta 1 can be tested now
DerStandard Austria: Fx4 should be a generation ahead of the competition

Poland
In Poland, journalists commend Firefox 4 on support for the WebM video format, a new Add-ons Manager and extension management API and privacy and performance improvements as well as crash protection from out of process plugins.

http://technologie.gazeta.pl/internet/1,104530,8113467,Firefox_4_w_wersji_Beta_1_juz_do_sciagniecia.html
http://www.chip.pl/news/internet-i-sieci/przegladarki-internetowe/2010/07/firefox-4-pierwsza-beta-gotowa-do-testow
http://webhosting.pl/Firefox.4.beta.1.do.pobrania
http://www.komputerswiat.pl/blogi/blog-redakcyjny/2010/07/firefox-4-beta-1-wglad-pod-maske.aspx
http://www.pcformat.pl/index.php/news/nid/5765/t/firefox-4-beta-1-ju-oficjalnie-i-dla-wszystkich
http://www.heise-online.pl/newsticker/news/item/Firefox-4-pierwsza-wersja-beta-Uzupelnienie-1033996.html
http://pclab.pl/plik1275_Mozilla.Firefox.4.0.Beta.1.html
http://tech.wp.pl/cid,18731,i,Firefox-4-beta-1,info_id,27161,plikinfo.html?ticaid=1a840
http://www.benchmark.pl/sterowniki/pliki/Pliki_Mozilla_Firefox_4_Beta_1-29746.html
http://vbeta.pl/2010/07/07/firefox-4-beta-1-juz-jest/
http://ittechblog.pl/2010/07/07/mozilla-firefox-4-beta-1/

UK
In the UK, coverage was neutral/positive with the majority of pieces recognizing that while Firefox 4 beta 1 is very much a work in progress, it should be seen by Firefox users as an opportunity to have their voices heard, by giving feedback on what they would like to see in the full version of Firefox 4. One of the main themes highlighted across the majority of UK news pieces, was the change in layout, especially the decision to move the tabs to above the address bar.

Telegraph.co.uk
The Guardian Blog
Metro
The Independent
V3.co.uk
PC Pro
Web User
Pocket Lint
Tech Radar
T3
Electricpig.co.uk
TG Daily

Italy
There was a lot of attention in Italy on the arrival of Firefox 4 beta 1. IT professional, consumer’s webzines and blogs heavily covered the release for both user and developer audiences. Among the most highlighted themes were the UI changes, such as the decision to put tabs on top, the replacement of the menu bar with a single button, as well as speed and performance increases.

01net.it: First beta for Firefox 4
Pcworld.it: “Firefox4 Beta vs Chrome: interfaces comparison”
Punto-informatico.it: “FF4, a beta of news”
Wired.it: “FF4, now available in beta version for download”
ilsoftware.it: A first “taste” of FF 4.0 is available”
Pctuner.net: “Firefox 4 Beta1 release, Mozilla learns by Chrome and Opera”