The Foxconn Technology Group today officially announced at a press event in Taipei a wide-ranging partnership with Mozilla to collaborate on the use of the Firefox OS open platform, based on HTML5 and open Web technologies, on Foxconn devices.
Foxconn is extending its origins in original design manufacturing to a combination of integrated software and hardware offerings.
"Currently, Foxconn is executing on a vision of 'eight screens, one network, and one cloud' with all our strength. Besides the native advantages of hardware manufacturing, Foxconn is also developing a brand new integrated approach to providing hardware, software, content, and services." Young Liu, the general manager of Foxconn innovation Digital System Business Group (iDSBG), said: "Because of our shared vision, we are excited to work with Mozilla. Firefox OS from Mozilla is based on HTML5 and open web technologies. The whole idea perfectly matches to the strategies promoted by Foxconn. We believe that the integration of software and hardware development will offer greater benefits to our customers and consumers."
"We are very excited about the cooperation with Foxconn and we are glad to see more partners supporting the Firefox OS and the open Web." Dr. Li Gong, SVP of Mobile Devices, President of Asia Operations, and CEO of Mozilla Taiwan, also said: "At Mozilla we see the open Web as the biggest and the best platform for the mobile world. The Firefox OS initiative helps solidify open Web standards for mobile computing; it also encourages and enables more openness in system integration and device interoperation. This cooperation demonstrates the full potential of Firefox OS, the open Web mobile operating system, to enable not only the smartphone but also a wide range of mobile devices."
Liu said the company is investing in a new unit in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan with an planned 500-1,000 employees to work with Mozilla to develop hardware, software, content and services. Asked how many Firefox devices are currently being developed, Liu said five. These include a Firefox OS 10-inch tablet aimed at both developed and emerging markets, Liu said, without offering any additional details.
Mozilla also unveiled two tablet computers and three smartphones running on the Firefox OS later in the press conference, but it would not provide the devices' specifications.
Sony, ZTE and LG are listed amog Firefox OS supporters, with all currently preparing Firefox OS smartphone handsets for launch later this year.
Firefox OS is based on HTML5 and other Web technologies and is constructed by Mozilla as an open Web mobile operating system. Firefox OS and the apps are entirely built with HTML5, JavaScript, and new Web Application APIs including emerging Device, Web App, and System API standards pioneered by Mozilla. Firefox OS has gained support from numerous manufacturers and telecom service providers and the first Firefox OS devices will be released this summer.
The first preview versions of mobile phones running the Firefox OS were unveiled in late January by Spanish company GeeksPhone.