Both Mozilla and wireless carrier Telefónica Vivo announced the launch of Firefox OS in Brazil with the release of LG's very first Firefox OS handset, the LG Fireweb, joining the Alcatel One Touch Fire phone. Telefónica also revealed plans to launch Firefox OS phones soon in Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.
"The launch of Firefox OS in Brazil is a milestone for the country's mobile industry, increasing the number of design options for intelligent devices (smartphones) and operational systems at affordable prices, based on open standards," states Telefónica's press release. "Today's launch also marks the world's first launch of a LG Firefox OS device."
Unlike LG's premium phones in the United States, the company's Firefox OS solution is geared for emerging markets, packing a 4 inch screen with a rather small 480 x 320 resolution, a Qualcomm chip clocked at 1 GHz, a 5MP camera with autofocus and LED flash (a first for a Firefox OS phone), 4 GB of internal storage (or 2 GB, the reports are mixed), and a microSD card slot for up to 32 GB of extra storage.
Firefoxosblog reports that the phone measures 13.8 x 66.5 x 9 mm and weighs 122 grams. The device comes with Firefox OS 1.1 right out of the box, making it the first phone to launch with Mozilla's updated platform. Other features include Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, all powered by a 1540 mAh battery.
"We built Firefox OS as part of Mozilla's mission to put the power of the Web in people's hands and offer the best Web experience possible," states Jay Sullivan, COO of Mozilla. "We're happy to see Firefox OS gain momentum with partners launching new devices in new markets and developers around the world being inspired to innovate. Our partnership with Telefónica Vivo demonstrates the rich, new experiences offered on Firefox OS by combining the best global and local content with LG's elegant new device experience."
Engadget reports that Vivo Brazil is selling the Fireweb for $449 BRL ($207 US) to pay-as-you-go customers, and for $129 BRL ($59 US) for typical subscribers, making this phone more expensive than LG's cheapest Android device, the Optimus L3 II that sells for $399 BRL ($194).
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