Mozilla plans to develop a "metro" style version of Firefox for Windows 8.

Of course, the development depends on whether Microsoft will provide the same capabilities for Firefox as it does for IE -- running at the Medium level integrity process that allows Mozilla the full use of the Win32 API and what we need from Metro, or a set of APIs that allow Mozilla to port Gecko to the WinRT.

Mozilla anticipates the release of Windows 8 Beta in February and RTM sometime between June and the end of 2012.

Windows 8 contains two application environments, "Classic" and "Metro". Classic is very similar to the Windows 7 environment at this time, it requires a simple evolution of the current Firefox Windows product. Metro is an entirely new environment and requires a new Firefox front end and system integration points.

Acording to Mozilla's plans, Firefox on Metro, like all other Metro apps will be full screen, focused on touch interactions, and connected to the rest of the Metro environment through Windows 8 contracts.

Mozilla plans to bring all of the Gecko capabilities to Firefox on Metro.

Firefox on Metro is a full-screen App with an Appbar that contains common navigation controls (back, reload, etc.,) the Awesomebar, and some form of tabs.

Firefox said the bew browser app would have to support three "snap" states -- full screen, ~1/6th screen and ~5/6th screen depending on how the user "docks" two full screen apps. The browser's UI will need to adjust to show the most relevant content for each size.

In order to provide users with access to other content, other apps, and to Firefox from other content and apps, Mozilla will also need integration with the share contract, the search contract, the settings contract, the app to app picking contract, the print contract, the play to contract, and possibly a couple more.