Taiwanese OEM Hon Hai is partnering with Mozilla on a new mobile device, according to a Reuter’s report released this morning.
The new device will run Mozilla’s Firefox operating system, and is an attempt by Hon Hai to diversify away from its current dependence on Apple products. The report, which cites a Taipei-based Mozilla spokeswoman, declined to offer specific details on the new phone but did say that it will be unveiled on June 3.
Mozilla could not be reached for comment on the matter prior to press time.
Hon Hai’s tie up with Apple is strong. The company currently draws approximately 60 percent of its revenue from contracts to manufacture Apple’s products, such as iPhone and iPads.
At Mobile World Congress in February, Mozilla made waves by announcing signficant carrier and OEM support for its HTML-based Firefox OS.
In all, Mozilla announced 18 carrier partners putting their weight behind the new web-based OS, as well as initial devices from Alcatel OneTouch, ZTE and LG, with Huawei to follow. The first wave of Firefox OS devices will be available to consumers in Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Venezuela, with additional devices to come.
Operators committed to the open Web device initiative include: América Móvil, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Hutchison Three Group, KDDI, KT, MegaFon, Qtel, SingTel, Smart, Sprint, Telecom Italia Group, Telefónica, Telenor, Telstra, TMN and VimpelCom.
