Mozilla releases Firefox OS developer phone

Company moves to entice developers with Qualcomm-powered handsets

Firefox has released a preview smartphone running its forthcoming mobile OS to developers, looking to boost interest in the platform ahead of its full release.

The Firefox developer preview phones have been developed by Geeksphone in partnership with Telefonica.

The devices feature fairly basic specifications, packing a modest 3.5in HVGA multi-touch screen and powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 processor that is backed up by 512MB of RAM.

Firefox confirmed the phones are designed to entice developers to create products on the OS.

"This week we are announcing our new Firefox OS developer preview phones because we believe that developers will help bring the power of the web to mobile," Firefox said in a blog post.

The Firefox mobile operating system is an open source platform made entirely using open web standards. For example, HTML5 apps can carry out phone functions such as making calls and sending text messages.

"Using the same web technologies you are used to, you can make your app give alerts by vibrating the phone, take a picture with the camera or more. Play with it, experiment, try out your website, create an app," Firefox said.

As well as the new demo phones, Firefox also announced plans to run a number of hack days, where developers will be able to try out the new operating system.

A simulation version of the Firefox OS is currently available for Android via the Firefox Marketplace. The first full smartphones running Firefox OS are expected to arrive sometime in February.

Check back with V3 closer to the time for a full review of the phone and Firefox OS.