New Firefox 3.5 Embedded Coming to Windows CE

The Internet Explorer – Firefox face-off is about to extend to new territories. Just a week passed since Mozilla released Firefox 3.5 to web, on June 30, 2009, but plans are already in motion to deliver yet another flavor of the latest version of the open-source browser. Mozilla is looking to expand support for Firefox 3.5 beyond the now traditional platforms, namely Windows client, Mac OS X and Linux. In this sense, an embedded build of Firefox 3.5 is cooking, which is aimed at Windows CE. The first Release Candidate of
Firefox 3.5 embedded is planned for availability before the end of next month, Mozilla revealed.

According to the goals identified for the open-source browser for the third quarter of 2009, Mozilla is looking to “create WinCE Firefox 3.5 product plan and deliver RC builds by [the] end of August. Create and publish product plan (user experience, modifications if required, roadmap and plan for updates).” With the client version of Firefox 3.5 out of the way, the priority for building the embedded flavor has been kicked up a notch.

Microsoft defines Windows CE as a “componentized, real-time operating system for a wide range of small footprint devices. Developers use Windows Embedded CE for a variety of smart, connected, and service-oriented devices, ranging from power-conscious GPS handhelds to real-time, mission-critical industrial controllers.”

Fact is that, by tailoring the embedded version of Firefox 3.5 to Windows CE, Mozilla will make the browser available on a range of devices including ATMs, Digital Picture Frames, Feature Phones, Gaming Devices, GPS, Handheld Terminals, Home/building Automation Gateways, Mini-Kiosks, Mobile Point of Service, Networked Media Devices, Media Servers, Set-top Boxes, Thin Clients, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Phones and Windows SideShow. Moving forward with the evolution of Windows CE, Microsoft plans to develop Windows Embedded Compact, starting with the next release of the operating system.