The South Korean smartphone maker Samsung, which is the major force behind the Google Android OS, said it is not interested in powering its phones with Mozilla’s new browser-based operating system.
A senior executive from Samsung said that the company is however interested in other operating systems, including Google’s Android and Tizen. It is developing devices based on Tizen OS that are expected to be launched in July 2013.
Mozilla launched its Firefox OS at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, targeting mainly emerging markets, and the firm has signed up 18 wireless service providers.
However it’s not the end of the line for Firefox OS: device manufacturers including LG, ZTE, Huawei and TCL have committed to making smartphones based on Firefox OS.
The new OS platform uses Mozilla’s Firefox browser engine to run Web apps, and its grid-based interface is expected to be the same as iOS and Android users.
Based on open web standards, the OS would necessitate much lower hardware specifications over the existing smartphone, and it will allow third-party developers to sell mobile applications for free without requiring a revenue share.
Mozilla is planning to launch the OS in July 2013.
