Mozilla Corp. is asking users to test a new add-on for the Firefox browser that lets users monitor their deals on eBay Inc.'s auction site in real time.
Add-ons are small programs designed to provide supplemental functions to Firefox. The gadgets have proved to be one of the browser's most popular features.
The beta test program for the so-called Firefox eBay Companion is only open to users in the U.K., Germany and France, but will eventually be opened up to the U.S. and other countries, according to a Mozilla spokeswoman.
The eBay add-on is a sidebar that synchronizes with the eBay auction and e-commerce site, and displays alerts as items are sold or change status. It also has an integrated search tool. For security, it uses Firefox's antiphishing technology and eBay's Account Guard feature, which also detects spoof Web sites.
No more features will be added, although the add-on could be improved as feedback is received, the spokeswoman said. The final release will come by August, she said.
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