Smart Communications, Inc. just announced their partnership with Mozilla to introduce Firefox OS smartphones to Filipinos.
Firefox OS smartphones run on a flexible and open mobile platform, free from the rules and restrictions of existing proprietary platform. And this is what Smart is after, to tailor the phones’ interface and to develop services that address the specific needs of their subscribers.
Firefox OS phones can run apps developed using HTML5 with the same flexibility as “native apps” on other platforms. Using HTML5 and the new Mozilla-proposed standard APIs, developers will be able to create amazing experiences and apps without the need to learn and develop against platform-specific native APIs.
According to Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea, the Philippines will be among a handful of countries that will be the first to enjoy these Firefox OS devices. He further added that these open mobile OS devices will help bridge the digital divide. Its HTML5-based technology will make available affordable mobile devices with an open mobile ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Smart executive vice president and wireless consumer division head Emmanuel Lorenzana said: “Firefox’s entry to the mobile phone market will bring customer experience to another level with lower cost barrier to ownership and more choices in terms of devices and mobile apps. This will also foster a healthier and more competitive developer community. We’re very keen to see a vibrant ecosystem based on HTML5 technology such as Firefox OS.”
Other leading operators that will distribute the first wave of Firefox devices are América Móvil, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Three Group, KDDI, KT, MegaFon, Qtel, SingTel, Sprint, Telecom Italia Group, Telefónica, Telenor, Telstra, TMN and VimpelCom.
Mozilla is also working with manufacturers LG, TCL (Alcatel), and ZTE to build the first Firefox OS devices, with Huawei to follow later in the year – all powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.
8 comments
Wow firefox joins the OS war. Sigurado maganda ito dahil mapapaganda ng firefox ang browsing experience ng mga users.
yey! Tingnan lang natin kung anu mangyayari dito! hehehe, excited ako sa tech improvements
None will be as innovative as compared to Apple iOS
None will be as innovative as compared to Apple’s iOS
ayos toh! Let’s support Mozilla and Smart rin! 🙂
Apple fanboy hehe
All are copying the technology from one another.
nasubukan ko na yung port for Samsung Galaxy S II. well promising siya pero a bit laggy. siguro kasi pre-beta palang siya