Firefox is set to release an Android-version of its popular open-source mobile browser in the coming months- setting the stage for Mozilla, makers of the widely popular Firefox desktop browser, to become an equally dominant player in the world of mobile browsing.
A mobile version of Firefox has long been a desire for the droves of Mozilla faithfuls, and has been in the works for what seems like an eternity. Honing the feature-set made popular with the desktop version, the mobile version is set to be a world-class mobile browser, taking full advantage of all the latest improvements and technology in mobile browsing.
With support for HTML5, CSS, Javascript and tabbed browsing, Firefox mobile will be the latest and greatest mobile browser available, but extending its reach is what Mozilla is focused on more than anything. Being available on Symbian and Windows Mobile devices was the first step, but porting a version to Android will put it in the spotlight and expose the benefits to both parties.
According to AdMob’s latest mobile metrics report, Android was the #2 smartphone platform in the US in the fourth quarter of 2009 with a 27 percent share of mobile requests, or exactly half of the 54 percent share belonging to iPhone OS devices. Though the iPhone continues its smartphone dominance, Android is growing at a break-neck pace, and could position Firefox mobile as a leading smartphone-oriented browser for the endless amount of upcoming devices sporting the Android OS.
Though inclusion on the iPhone, iPod Touch and the upcoming iPad will never happen due to Apple’s lock-down, Firefox mobile has a bright future. As mobile browsing and operating systems continue to consolidate and a less fragmented experience evolves, Firefox will emerge a clear leader as it has in the desktop space.
