Firefox’s default appearance may not be particularly vibrant on Ubuntu, but there are ways to add some flair. One such method is through an intriguing open-source Firefox add-on called Ambient Theme by Site Colour, which dynamically adjusts the colors of the tab bar and toolbar based on the dominant color of the webpage you are viewing. This feature is reminiscent of the behavior found in the Vivaldi web browser.
As you navigate between tabs, the color adapts, creating a more visually engaging experience. Users can customize their settings to exclude specific websites from the dynamic theming, which is handy if the colors become overly intense. Additionally, it enables users to set minimum contrast ratios and blend options for the toolbar to maintain legibility.
Key features include:
- Dynamic UI coloring per site based on the page’s dominant color
- Per-site disabling of the dynamic theme
- Compatibility with standard and vertical tab layouts, plus UI tweaks
- Readability controls including minimum contrast and toolbar blending
- Automatic updates on tab changes, page navigation, or window focus
- Quick per-site toggle options available in the extension’s popup
While this add-on enhances the Firefox experience, it does come with some caveats. The permissions it requires to operate may deter some users, but the developer clarifies their necessity and reassures that all processes occur locally, without any data transmission over the web. For those cautious about privacy, it is possible to verify its performance through tools like Wireshark or to build the extension from its source code.
Furthermore, users may find that the color extracted from certain sites isn’t always what they expect as the dominant shade—a behavior common in other browsers like Apple’s Safari on iOS.
Ambient Theme by Site Colour may not be deemed essential, but it certainly adds a splash of fun for those looking to enhance their browsing experience. The extension is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible for a wide range of users.