The
inaugural Mozilla Firefox OS smartphone launched in India on Monday and
it only costs $33. Dubbed the Cloud FX, the device is the result of a
partnership between Mozilla and handset company Intex Technologies.
Mozilla
announced at this year's Mobile Asia Expo that it was bringing the
Cloud FX to Indian and Indonesian markets. However, the introduction of
cheaper smartphones to India was first teased at the Mobile World
Congress in February.
See also: Mozilla Developing Chromecast Competitor That Runs Firefox OS: Report
"With
the launch of Intex Cloud FX, we aim to enable the masses to get
smartphone experience at the cost of a feature phone," Intex director of
marketing Keshav Bensal said in a statement Monday.
The
cost-effective model is intended to help accelerate India's
already-rapid rise to the top of the global smartphone market. India now
has the the third-highest number of smartphone sales on the planet,
according to a 2013 Canalys report, trailing only behind the U.S. and
China.
Mozilla
isn't the only company interested in tapping the lower-end of India's
smartphone market. At Google I/O, Google announced its Android One
program that promises to bring a 4.5-inch screen, dual-SIM, FM-radio
enabled Android device to India for less than $100.
"The
positive consumer feedback from other markets tells us that people like
the unique user experience and openness we’re building with Firefox
OS," Mozilla president Li Gong said in a statement. "Firefox OS
smartphones in the ultra-low-cost category will redefine the entry-level
smartphone and create strong momentum in Asia."
The
phone packs a 4GB memory capacity and Bluetooth. It also supports Hindi
and Tamil, two commonly spoken languages in India. It is available
exclusively on SnapDeal.com.
Posted by : Gizmeon
No comments:
Post a Comment