18 October 2008

Mozilla Launched Fennec
Alpha Version Of Firefox Mobile Browser

If you are waiting to finally test the highly-anticipated mobile version of the Firefox browser wait no more! We reported last week that it going to be available in few weeks but they just surprise us with an earlier release.

This first alpha release is available for the Linux based Maemo software platform that runs on the Nokia Internet Tablets.

So if you are one of those lucky Nokia N810 owners you’ll be able to test it among the first!

However if you don't have an N810 you shouldn’t worry about because you can still experiment with Fennec, provide feedback, write add-ons, and get involved by installing a version of Fennec for your desktop PC!

Yes you read it right; the first alpha release is available for PC machines as well. The idea behind releasing the package for PCs is to give people who don't have a Nokia Internet Tablet the ability to localize, experiment and build add-ons. Note: The desktop version of Fennec is not a supported product.

I know it sounds kind of cliché but Firefox mobile is based on the same core as the Firefox 3 and will 'bring a true web experience to mobile phones and other mobile devices' according to the foundation. It will also allow users to easy migrate user data like cookies, bookmarks, forms data, and various other information from their desktop browsers to their mobile devices.

A mobile version of Firefox would compete with versions of Opera and Internet Explorer and would adopt the same desktop feel as its desktop cousin - if the goal of demonstrating that 'mobile' is part of one, unified, open web" is anything to go by.