Mozilla Releases Firefox OS Nightly Builds For Testing

Mozilla had revealed earlier that it was launching its very own mobile operating system for smartphones, called Firefox OS. Users can now get the nightly builds of the mobile Firefox OS from Mozilla’s official website. Although you can’t yet download the build to your phone, you can at least try out the OS on your computer. It’s not exactly as simple as installing any app, but it’s not very difficult.

Mozilla’s mobile operating system, which was announced quite a long time ago with the codename Boot2Gecko, has seen a lot of development and the first smartphone to run the Firefox OS is anticipated to be launched next year.

The builds available from the Mozilla site offer an x86 compatible Boot2Gecko run time, meant for testing Gaia shell and the applications meant for this platform. It is pretty useful for Gaia developers and contributors who wish to begin developing apps for the Firefox devices set to arrive next year.

At the launch even of the OS, the developer of the popular open-source browser had said that the Firefox OS project has the support of major network operators like Deutsche Telekom, Smart, Etisalat, Sprint, Telenor, Telecom Italia and Telefónica, since it is an exciting debutant in the smartphone segment. It added that these companies have realized the potential of the inherent technology, which can deliver a great smartphone experience at an affordable price.

Although this is very pleasing to hear, one of the biggest threats that Mozilla is currently facing is from big rivals. There have been several new platforms that sprung up from time to time but few have tasted any success, most of them being abandoned mid-way.

It is being hoped that Mozilla does a good job about the Firefox OS, when the Firefox OS-running devices are launched next year.