A new tool launched today could give Firefox users more options when searching for key items, boosting the likelihood of them finding what they're looking for.

The free Wolfram Alpha Google add-on for Firefox allows users to view search results from both Google and new computational knowledge engine Wolfram Alpha side-by-side.

An icon at the bottom right of the screen allows easy toggling between on and off, and buttons labeled 'Original' and 'Wolfram|Alpha' near the top-right of the search page allow users to switch between a Google-only or combined view. Users can also open Wolfram Alpha results in a new tab if they wish.

However, Wolfram Alpha does not compare favourably with Google, at least in the speed stakes. Its results load an average of five to six full seconds slower than Google when viewed side-by-side, which can be frustrating for the user.

It is also came up blank when asked the fairly straightforward question, "what is the tallest building in London".

The tool is more useful at answering mathematical questions however, and users could find it serves as a useful tool when used in combination with Google, with this add-on, rather than to replace it.