Firefox OS Smartphones Set To Launch

Smartphones are potentially poised for closer integration with the web as Mozilla preps it's new Firefox OS (operating system) for launch on two low-cost mobile devices - Alcatel OneTouch Fire and ZTE Open.

Featuring a brand new concept for smartphones, the Firefox OS platform is intended to deliver a highly customized web experience. The platform's open web standards approach should give carriers the flexibility to easily tailor the interface and develop localized services unique to their customers.

"The launch of Firefox OS marks an incredibly exciting time for the Web. Firefox OS powers the first smartphones built entirely on Web technologies and will stimulate an inspiring new wave of innovation for the Web," said Jay Sullivan, Mozilla chief operating officer. "We are proud to deliver an experience for first time smartphone users that will delight them and really put the power of the Web in people’s hands."

Firefox OS phones come with Firefox Marketplace offering mobile apps in categories like games, news and media, music and audio, business and productivity plus local and niche topics. Apps include AccuWeather, Poppit, Facebook, Nokia HERE Maps, SoundCloud, Terra, Time Out, TMZ and Twitter.

The new mobile phone operating system is an extension of the Firefox desktop and mobile browsing experience that many Internet users are already familiar with. As it has done against Microsoft's Internet Explorer on the desktop, Mozilla is obviously shooting for a compelling mobile OS alternative to Apple's iOS and Google's Android.