The HTML5 space was as busy as ever this week with a fair number of noteworthy events. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

First up, Orange (News – Alert) recently switched its visual voicemail over to HTML5. Called Libon Web, the app allows users to access their Orange voicemail, as well as contacts and messaging features, through any Web-enabled device. As such, the solution is more akin to a messaging suite than anything, but with the added benefit of allowing users to retrieve messages from anywhere on any device.

Next, Samsung (News – Alert) is apparently seeking to bring together two HTML5-based operating systems: Tizen, which Samsung has had a strong hand in developing and promoting, and Mozilla’s (News – Alert) Firefox OS. The benefits are obvious; since both platforms are based in HTML5, apps developed for either could easily be adapted to work for both, while potentially strengthening appeal. That said, it’s hard to say how interested Mozilla would be in such a merger, or Samsung for that matter.

Firefox OS made more news this week by making its official debut in Italy by way of the Alcatel OneTouch Fire on Telecom Italia (News – Alert). Like other Firefox OS devices, the OneTough Fire sports low-end specs — 3.5-inch display, 1GHz processor and a 3.2-megapixel camera — but at a bargain price.

In other news, BrightSign LLC has updated its digital signage media players with enhanced HTML5 features in part to prepare for the coming of 4K resolutions. In particular, BrightAuthor 3.7, and version 4.7 of its firmware, brings better IP streaming and the ability to upscale 1080p content to 4K resolution. Most importantly, the offering now has augmented support for HTML5, improving HTML5 rendering and greater interactivity with JavaScript extensions.

Lastly, Core Gaming’s “Evel Knievel” branded slot game was launched in Betfair Casino. Of course, the game is one of the developer’s proprietary HTML5 casino games. The game should see a wider release in 2014.

These hilights in HTML5 news as well as more industry insights will be covered at the DevCon5 event December 10-11, 2013 in Universal City, California. The biggest industry names in HTML5 will be there to share insight, and there will be hands-on sessions allowing participants to immerse themselves into the world of HTML5.

That about wraps up this week in review, but there’s plenty more HTML5 industry new to be found back on the HTML5 Report’s front page.