Introducing the $25 smartphone and Gear 2
Mozilla plans a truly budget smartphone launch and Samsung tries again in the wearable tech market
Mozilla has made headlines around the world with the announcement of a $25 smartphone running its Firefox OS developed with Chinese chip manufacturer Spreadtrum.
The new phone is aimed squarely at first time users and existing featurephone users, and is part of Mozilla’s wider strategy to focus on emerging mobile markets.
Firefox OS is the latest operating system to enter the smartphone market and will compete head one with Windows and Android in targeting featurephone users and developing economies.
âPeople in Latin America and Eastern Europe have eagerly upgraded from their feature phones to Firefox OS smartphones and now have rich access to the Web and apps,” Â Jay Sullivan, chief operating officer of Mozilla, said in a blog.
“In 2014, we are differentiating our user experience and our partners are growing the portfolio of devices. We are also enabling a whole new category of smartphone, priced around $25, that will bring even more people around the world online.â
Meanwhile Samsung have tried to breathe new life into the wearables segment with the launch of version two of its Gear smartwatch.
The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are companion devices for Samsung smartphones and allow users to accept or ignore incoming calls and messages, and provide instant notification options.
Samsung has updated the Gear with a stand-alone music app and a range of new colours as it looks to establish a lead in advance of the expected launch of iWatch later this year.