New Firefox Fx0 Phone Is So Open It's See-Through
Tired of iOS, Android and even Windows Phone dominating the mobile operating system arena? Mozilla just launched the Firefox OS-powered FxOsmartphone in Japan, and it looks set to make a splash. The Fx0 will be available in Japan on Dec. 25 via the carrier KDDI, but it's not yet clear for how much -- or if it will arrive in the U.S.
What stands out the most about the Fx0 is its transparent chassis, which lets you peek into the phone's gold-colored innards. The 4.7-inch smartphone is also the first Firefox OS (FFOS) device to support 4G LTE.
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While it packs a lower-end, quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, the Fx0 should still offer speedy performance, thanks to its lightweight operating system. The Fx0 also features an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 2.1-MP selfie cam and a 2,370-mAh battery.
Firefox OS, for the uninitiated, is an HTML-based system that potentially lets you use websites as apps. Its interface is simple, with apps laid out on its home screen. You can add any HTML 5 website to your phone as an app. The system first launched in 2013, and is now in version 2.0, with 16 FFOS smartphones available.
Previous FFOS devices, such as the ZTE Open ($99 unlocked) and the Alcatel One Touch Fire ($150 unlocked), have been entry-level offerings targeting the budget-conscious consumer. The Fx0 appears to mark a departure from that with its eye-catching design. If future Firefox devices continue to look this good, the OS could find a solid niche following.
Staff writer Cherlynn Low codes in HTML5. Follow her @cherlynnlow. Follow Tom's Guide at @tomsguide and on Facebook.
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