Mozilla today made some big announcements concerning its Boot to Gecko mobile project, including a name change and the backing of some companies. First up, Mozilla revealed that Boot to Gecko will now be known as Firefox OS, which isn't much of a surprise considering the recognition that the Firefox name has. The open platform is based on both Linux and HTML5 and its apps are created using HTML5, which should make it easier for web developers to create content for it. Mozilla explains that the aim of Firefox OS is to power devices on the entry-level side of the market.
Speaking of devices, Mozilla also revealed that ZTE and TCL Communication Technology (the creator of Alcatel-branded phones) will craft the first Firefox OS devices, which will be powered by Snapdragon processors and are expected to begin arriving in early 2013. Because the products will be targeting the low-end, they should be pretty easy on the wallet: Spanish carrier Telefónica said that the Firefox OS devices could be priced at around $50. Along with Telefónica, there's a handful of other carriers that've signed on to back Mozilla's Firefox OS, including Sprint here in the U.S.
Sprint is no stranger to supporting new mobile platforms, as the operator also recently joined the Tizen Assocation, which is involved with the open source platform known as Tizen. There are still many details about Firefox OS and its hardware up in the air, but Mozilla's mobile platform is definitely coming together and it'll be interesting to check out any Firefox OS devices that might make their way to the Now Network. You can find the official announcement of today's news at the Mozilla link below.
Via Phone Scoop, AllThingsD, Reuters, Mozilla
