14 DAY TRIAL // Mozilla and mobile chipset developer Spreadtrum have just announced a new partnership aimed to bring the cheapest Firefox OS solution to the masses.
The companies plan to launch a smartphone powered by the Firefox operating system, which will be available for purchase for around $25.
The endeavor is based on the Spreadtrum affordable SC6821 chipset. Some of the smartphones powered by this chipset are already showcased at Mozilla's booth at Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona.
“The combination of Firefox OS with Spreadtrum's entry-level smartphone platforms has the potential to dramatically extend the reach of smartphones and the Web globally,” said Dr. Li Gong, Mozilla senior vice president of mobile devices and president of Asia operations.
“Firefox OS delivers a customized, fun and intuitive experience for first-time smartphone buyers and our collaboration with Spreadtrum enables the industry to offer customers an extremely affordable way to get a smartphone and connect with Web apps,” he added.
Spreadtrum’s SC6821 chipset has been specially designed with a unique low memory configuration and high level of integration that is meant to reduce the costs of materials required to develop low-end smartphones.
Smartphones based on this chipset will sport a decent 3.5-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen display, integrated WiFi, Bluetooth, FM Radio and camera functions.
In addition, the smartphones will benefit from the advanced phone and browser features of Firefox OS, which will allow them to access the web and HTML5 applications.
Thanks to the Firefox OS, users will be offered built-in social integration with Facebook and Twitter, HERE Maps with offline capabilities, Firefox Web browser, Firefox Marketplace for apps and more.
“By integrating Firefox OS support with our smartphone platforms, we are providing our customers with flexibility and choice in how they develop and design their smartphones as well as access to the increasingly rich base of HTML5 applications that are available on this platform.
We are pleased to work with Mozilla to expand Firefox OS support to all of our smartphone platforms to provide the benefits of open web technologies to consumers around the world,” said Xiaomao Xiao, Spreadtrum's vice president of software development.