MWC: Firefox OS to launch with ZTE, Huawei, LG and Alcatel smartphones

BARCELONA: Mozilla has revealed that its Firefox mobile operating system will launch with handsets from ZTE, Huawei, LG and Alcatel.

The Firefox devices are set to be released at an unspecified point in summer 2013. The Huawei and LG handsets are yet to recieve names though the ZTE and Alcatel One Touch devices are confirmed to both be called Fire.

The phones' specs remain unknown past that they will run using Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Mozilla confirmed that the handsets will initially target the affordable smartphone market meaning they will likely be at best moderately specced.

The Firefox OS was originally unveiled in at Mobile World Congress in 2012, and is reportedly designed to end Google and Apple's current control of the mobile internet.

"The internet should not be controlled by one or two companies," said Mozilla chief executive Gary Kovacs.

"A year ago we outlined an ambitious plan to free mobile. As we start to move to look at the web through a mobile device, we're seeing the same situation we did a decade ago where a couple of companies are controlling the web."

Firefox OS is an entirely web based mobile operating system based on HTML5.

Kovas said that the OS would also fix a number of the ongoing privacy issues surrounding Google and Apple. On numerous occasions both companies have come under scrutiny for the amount of user data iOS and Android powered devices collect.

"Firefox OS is built on the belief that user control and user privacy should always belong to them," said Kovacs.

"In fact privacy and control is something we have maintained and will continue to do."

Kovacs claimed Firefox OS will do this by introducing a set of HTML5 development standards for developers. The standards will allow the OS to run any HTML5 application letting developers release and sell their services for Firefox OS outside of the official Firefox Marketplace.

Kovacs said that the idea has already proved a hit with developers, claiming numerous big name companies have already begun developing for the platform.

"What is at the heart of Mozilla is a group of 1000s of volunteers, developers. Over 50 percent of our code is from these volunteers," said Kovacs.