Good news for proponents of diversity in the mobile OS space: Mozilla’s (News – Alert) HTML5-based platform, Firefox OS, is launching next year. Previously called "Boot2Gecko," Mozilla’s first incursion into the wild world of smartphones is built entirely on open Web standards.

"The introduction of the open mobile OS continues the Mozilla mission to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web for users and developers," Gary Kovacs, Mozilla CEO, said in a statement. "As billions of users are expected to come online for the first time in the coming years, it is important to deliver a compelling smartphone experience that anyone can use."

Every single app on Firefox OS will be made with HTML5, even the dialer, while Mozilla’s focus on openness even goes so far as to allow Web-based applications to access system files – something even the relatively open Android platform doesn’t allow. The potential of HTML5 can’t seem to be overstated as the markup language is entirely capable of replicating anything competing mobile platforms can do, even 3D games.

Best of all, apps can be cached to your phone so that it can be used even without a connection.

Mozilla’s aim at launch is to capture the entry-level smartphone market, which the company hopes will "drive adoption across developing markets." Curious consumers will be able to buy a Firefox OS device next year on Deutsche Telekom in Germany, Etisalat in Abu Dhabi, Smart in the Philippines, Sprint in the United States, Telecom Italia in Italy, Telefónica in Spain and Telenor in Norway.

Initial devices will be manufactured by Chinese companies TCL and ZTE (News – Alert), which will likely feature Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.

The shift to HTML5 isn’t a new one in the mobile space, as BlackBerry manufacturer RIM will also be banking a lot on the language in the coming year. HTML5 apps are a big part of the company’s strategy to make BlackBerry relevant again amid the growing popularity of Android and the iPhone (News – Alert), and will be featured heavily in BBOS 10.

Want to learn more about HTML5? Then be sure to attend HTML5 Summit- a DEVCON5 Event, collocated with ITEXPO West 2012 taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. HTML5 has the potential to revolutionize user interfaces, challenge the status quo and change the future of both desktop and mobile web experiences. Join fellow web developers, designers, and architects, as well as technology leaders and business strategists who will gather in Austin to learn strategies and tactics to implement and execute HTML5. For more information on registering for the HTML5 Summit click here.

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