Firefox OS for Smartphones to be Launched in 2013

Mozilla has announced that it will launch its own Firefox OS for smartphones in 2013. On July 2^nd, Mozilla announced that mobile network operators like Deutsche Telekom, Sprint, Smart, Telecom Italia, Telenor and Etisalat are very happy about the new Mozilla platform.

By the beginning of 2013, ZTE and TCL Communications will unleash the first Firefox OS phones fitted with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Processors. To enter in the smartphone market, open support is essential from handset makers and telecom companies for a company like Mozilla as up to 60 per cent of market is dominated by Google’s Android OS and rest is covered by Apple iOS. Other than these two giant leaders, many companies like RIM, Microsoft and Samsung Bada are also struggling for a share of the mobile software market.

“There is an enough space for the Mozilla platform in the smartphone market as an open Web-based alternative,” Gary Kovacs, chief executive of Mozilla Corp, said.

In Brazil, a Firefox-powered phone, Telefonica’s Viva, will be initially launched in early 2013. Later on, these phones will be launched on other emerging markets.

Mozilla wants to triumph in this segment with a community of 3 to 5 million web developers. This new platform includes HTML5 with other core elements of Linux technology. Firefox OS phones will be priced at around $50 minus operator subsidies.