Mozilla Firefox smartphones unveiled, specs comparison

Mozilla, the maker of the Firefox web browser, announced in a press statement yesterday (1 July 2013) that Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica will soon release the first Firefox OS devices: the Alcatel One Touch Fire and the ZTE Open.

“Individual partners will announce specifics about launches in each market soon,” Mozilla said.

According to media reports, Telefonica in Spain launched the device today at a price of €69, which includes €30 of credit for pre-paid users.

Firefox OS features

In its press release, Mozilla said that Firefox OS includes all the things people need from a smartphone out of the box: calls, messaging, e-mail, and a camera.

It also also includes built-in social features with Facebook and Twitter, and navigation with HERE Maps from Nokia with offline capabilities and smart walking, driving, and public transit directions.

As expected, the operating system also has the Firefox Web browser.

One of the big differentiators of the platform, according to Mozilla, is the adaptive app search that “literally transforms the phone to meet your needs at any moment, without the need to download anything.”

To use this feature, you swipe to the right on your Firefox OS phone and start to type what you are interested in to get a whole new customised phone experience.

“For example, search for your favourite music artist and get results to buy songs, concert tickets, or even listen to your songs immediately,” Mozilla said.

Mozilla describes this feature as the ability to create “one-time use or downloadable apps on demand”.

Firefox OS phones also come with a more conventional store called Firefox Marketplace, which offers users HTML5 apps for their devices.

“Firefox Marketplace includes popular apps such as AccuWeather, EA games like Poppit, Facebook, Nokia HERE Maps, SoundCloud, Terra, Time Out, TMZ, and Twitter, as well as personally tailored and local apps that will differ by region,” Mozilla said.

Alcatel One Touch Fire and ZTE Open specs

Although Firefox OS phones have only been confirmed for two carriers, Mozilla said that the devices will launch in more markets later in 2013.
The table below summarises the specifications of the two devices Mozilla unveiled:

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