New range of intuitive and easy-to-use phones to be powered
by Firefox OS
BARCELONA, Spain, March 1, 2015 /CNW/ -- Mobile World Congress
-- Mozilla, the mission based organization dedicated to keeping the
power of the Web in people's hands, together with KDDI, LG U+,
Telefónica and Verizon Wireless, today announced at Mobile World
Congress a new initiative to create devices based on Firefox
OS.
The goal of this initiative is to create a more intuitive and
easy-to-use experience (powered by Firefox OS) for consumers around
the world. The companies are collaborating to contribute to the
Mozilla community and create a new range of Firefox OS phones for a
2016 launch in various form factors - flips, sliders and slates -
that balance the simplicity of a basic phone (calls, texts) with
the more advanced features of a smartphone such as fun
applications, content, navigation, music players, camera, video,
LTE, VoLTE, email and Web browsing.
Firefox OS was chosen as the platform for this initiative
because it unlocks the mobile ecosystem and enables independence
and innovation. This results in more flexibility for network
operators and hardware manufacturers to provide a differentiated
experience and explore new business ventures, while users get the
performance, personalization and affordability they want packaged
in a beautiful, clean and easy-to-use experience.
"By leveraging Firefox OS and the power of the Web, we are
re-imagining and providing a modern platform for entry-level
phones, said Li Gong, President of
Mozilla. "We're excited to work with operator partners like KDDI,
LG U+, Telefonica and Verizon Wireless to reach new audiences in
both emerging and developed markets and offer customers
differentiated services."
Yasuhide Yamamoto, Vice
President, Product Sector at KDDI said "We have been gaining high
attention from the market with Fx0, a high tier LTE based Firefox
OS smartphone launched last December, and we have faith in the
unlimited potential of Firefox OS. KDDI has been very competitive
in the Japanese mature mobile phone market for decades, so we are
confident that we can contribute to the Mozilla community in
developing this new concept product."
"Telefónica is actively supporting Firefox OS, aligned with our
strategy of bringing more options and more openness to our
customers. Firefox OS smartphones are currently offered in 14
markets across our footprint and are helping to bring connectivity
to more people who are looking for a reliable and simple user
experience at affordable prices," said Francisco Montalvo, Director, Telefónica Group
Devices Unit.
Rosemary McNally, Vice President,
Device Technology at Verizon said "Verizon aims to deliver
innovative new products to its customers, and this initiative is
about creating a modern, simple and smart platform for basic
phones. We're looking forward to continuing to work with Mozilla
and other service providers to leverage the power of Firefox OS and
the Web community."
About Mozilla
Mozilla has been a pioneer and advocate
for the Web for more than 15 years. We create and promote open
standards that enable innovation and advance the Web as a platform
for all. Today, hundreds of millions of people worldwide use
Mozilla Firefox to experience the Web on computers, tablets and
mobile devices. With Firefox OS and Firefox Marketplace, Mozilla is
driving a mobile ecosystem that is built entirely on open Web
standards, freeing mobile providers, developers and end users from
the limitations and restrictions imposed by proprietary platforms.
For more information, visit www.mozilla.org.
About KDDI Corporation
KDDI, a comprehensive
communications company offering fixed-line and mobile
communications services, strives to be a leading company for
changing times. For individual customers, KDDI offers its mobile
communications (mobile phone) and fixed-line communications
(broadband Internet/telephone) services under the brand name au,
helping to realize Fixed Mobile and Broadcasting Convergence
(FMBC). For business clients, KDDI provides comprehensive
Information and Communications services, from Fixed Mobile
Convergence (FMC) networks to data centers, applications, and
security strategies, which helps clients strengthen their
businesses. For more information please visit
http://www.kddi.com/english.
About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest
telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market
capitalisation and number of customers. With its best in class
mobile, fixed and broadband networks, and innovative portfolio of
digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a
'Digital Telco', a company that will be even better placed to meet
the needs of its customers and capture new revenue growth. The
company has a significant presence in 21 countries and a customer
base of 341 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a
strong presence in Spain,
Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an
important part of its growth strategy. Telefónica is a 100% listed
company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share
capital currently comprises 4,657,204,330 ordinary shares traded on
the Spanish Stock Market and on those in London, New
York, Lima, and
Buenos Aires.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the
nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network. As the largest
wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 108.2 million
retail customers, including 102.1 million retail postpaid
customers. Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon
Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ). For more information, visit
www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and updates about
Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at
http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/VZWNews.
For more information, visit www.mozilla.org.
Contact
Global Mozilla press team can be reached
through press@mozilla.com
Visit Mozilla at MWC 2015 in Hall 3, Stand 3C30.
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mozilla-kddi-lg-u-telefonica-and-verizon-wireless-collaborate-to-create-new-category-of-firefox-os-phones-300043255.html
SOURCE Mozilla