Mozilla redesigns Firefox browser for Android tablets

Mozilla released a revamped Firefox browser optimized for tablets running Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, promising significant speed and performance improvements.

Based on the same open technology platform as Firefox's desktop counterpart, the Android tablet browser touts a personalized start page and a more streamlined user interface highlighted by a new Awesome Screen that delivers the user's browsing history, bookmarks, passwords and data. The browser also supports Firefox Sync, enabling users to synchronize data and customized preferences across multiple devices--in addition, consumers can select between the desktop and mobile version of a website by selecting "Request Desktop Site" from the browser menu.

Firefox for Android supports the Adobe Flash runtime on tablets running Android 3.0 (a.k.a. Honeycomb), giving consumers access to Web video and games. Users may also play Mozilla's own HTML5-based BrowserQuest multiplayer game across the mobile and desktop platforms.

Speaking of HTML5, Firefox for Android boasts new capabilities enabling developers to create Web apps and sites based on the web standard as well as JavaScript, CSS and other open standards. Developers can also leverage WebAPIs including the Camera API, Vibration API, Mobile Connection API, Battery Status API, Screen Orientation API and Geolocation API. The Firefox for Android revamp also brings feature updates and stability improvements like Find in Page and Text Selection, as well as privacy and security features including Do Not Track, Master Password and HTTP Strict Transport Security.

In addition to support for Android tablets and smartphones, Mozilla recently said it is developing a browser optimized for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad that is designed to replace the bestselling tablet's native Safari. Codenamed "Junior," the iPad browser delivers a full-screen browsing experience that eliminates the conventional toolbar in favor control buttons designed to offer a "magazine feel." Mozilla has not revealed a timetable for release.

Mozilla also is building its own web-based Firefox mobile operating system, previously known under the working name Boot to Gecko. Mozilla and operator partner Telefónica plan to begin selling Boot to Gecko devices in early 2013, accompanied by the Mozilla Marketplace app storefront, which enables developers to create and distribute cross-platform applications optimized for any HTML5-enabled device. Along with Telefónica, Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) also has pledged support for the Firefox OS, citing its potential for powering lower-cost smartphone options for prepaid, postpaid and wholesale customers.

For more:
- read this Mozilla Blog entry

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