HTML5 ARTICLE

January 20, 2014

Firefox OS Tablet Prototype Confirmed


When details of Firefox OS, Mozilla’s (NewsAlert) HTML5-focused mobile operating system, first started trickling out back in 2012, it was made very clear that the platform was meant for low-end smartphones only. Of course, that wasn’t always going to be the case and, if the latest rumors about a Firefox OS tablet are to be believed, it didn’t even take long for the change to occur.

Actually, there are a lot more than rumors flying around about the first-ever Firefox OS tablet; Mozilla’s own Asa Dotzler has released official specifications for the device, as well as pictures of it.

As expected, while the tablet bucks Firefox OS’s smartphone-only approach with its existence, it still holds true to the platform’s low-end focus. Indeed, the tablet features an Allwinner A31 ARM (News Alert) Cortex A7 quad-core processor with PowerVR SGX 544 graphics, 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 16GB of flash storage. That said, it still offers a pretty attractive package with its 10.1-inch IPS 1280 x 800 display, front and rear-facing cameras, microSD storage expansion, and 7,000mAh battery.

Image via asadotzler.com

The device, which was built by Foxconn, doesn’t look all that different from the average low-end Android (NewsAlert) device, which is a good thing. After all, it’s largely low-cost devices that have helped Android improve its tablet market share over the past few years.

It seems 2014 may be a year to remember for Mozilla’s mobile OS. Not only will the year bring the first Firefox OS tablet, it’s possible the platform may also expand beyond entry-level devices. Indeed, it has been rumored that Sony is interested in releasing a premium Firefox OS-based smartphone, according to Mozilla senior president for mobile devices, Li Gong.

This may prove an even bigger leap than the move to tablets as the competition on the high-end of the smartphone space is so fierce that even critical darlings like the HTC One are having trouble competing against Samsung (NewsAlert) and Apple.




Edited by Alisen Downey





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