Mozilla will launch a series of inexpensive Firefox OS smartphone models in the Indian market, at prices of up to US$50 or around Rs. 3,000 only.
When launched in Latin America and some European markets in July 2013, Firefox OS smartphones sold only about one million units. Mozilla could partner with only one or two telecom operators in these countries which brought a relatively lukewarm response towards the ultra-cheap smartphones.
With 10 hardware makers and more than 20 mobile telecom carriers supporting its Firefox OS platform, Mozilla aims to sell 10 million Firefox smartphones over the next year.
It’s raining budget smartphones in India, with key players like Motorola, Nokia and Asus introducing powerful smartphones at budget prices. But with Mozilla launching low-cost smartphones, there might be a view of Android losing its grip on the budget smartphone market.
Firefox has not stopped at just smartphones. Taiwan-based Foxconn Electronics and VIA Technologies have participated in developing Firefox tablets, while Panasonic plans to launch Firefox OS-powered smart TVs.
– By Anand Thakkar
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