Monday 24 February 2014

Mozilla unveils £15 smartphone - promises a 'flood' of cheap devices for emerging markets

American-based software company to provide cheaper smartphone in partnership with low-cost chipmaker Spreadtrum

JOE KRISHNAN
 
 
Monday 24 February 2014
Mozilla have unveiled a prototype version of a $25 (£15) smartphone which they believe will appeal to the developing market.
Mozilla, renowned for developing popular internet browser Firefox, revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that they have partnered with Chinese low-cost chip manufacturer Spreadtrum to develop their new product - the Firefox OS phone.
Keeping in line with the company's core values, the handset (which will be made available as the Firefox OS Flame to developers worldwide) will be available to those who reside in developing countries as a cheaper alternative to more expensive smartphones.
Slightly more advanced than the ordinary 'dumb' phone used only to make calls and text messages, this feature model will "bring people online" and "redefine" the phone markets, according to Mozilla's chief operating officer Jay Sullivan.
The smartphone will offer "big name apps" according to the company's website, with local content also tailored to each individual user, including a search engine called 'Adaptive App Search', which allows you to find apps based on your interests.
One of the ideas behind releasing the low-cost smartphone is that it will allow those unable to afford more expensive smartphones a cheaper alternative, in comparison to Apple's latest release, the iPhone 5s, where prices start at £549.
Mozilla hopes to capture an early lead in the market that is now being targeted by mobile device manufacturers who view developing countries such as India as the remaining area for massive growth, although they could soon face competition from other industry rivals.
"These solutions expand the global accessibility of open web smartphones to first-time and entry-level smartphone buyers by reducing the time and cost required for handset makers to bring these devices to market," said Spreadtrum in a statement.
However, some critics believe that the smartphone is barely an improvement on the current feature phones available. Carolina Milanesi, an analyst from Kantar Worldpanel, suggested that Mozilla's new product cannot be classified as a smartphone.
She said: "You're not really talking about smartphone experience. You're talking about a clumsy smartphone that's a little bit better than a feature phone - still primarily for voice and text."
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