Japanese wireless carrier KDDI is trying to make it easier for developer to create apps for Firefox OS. Working with Mozilla, KDDI has developed a developer board and software aimed at Firefox OS developers.

The board is called the Open Web Board, and it looks a lot like an Android TV stick, while the software is called Gluin.

Mozilla Japan will show off the new products at Mozilla Open Web Day in Tokyo on October 5th.

open web board

Firefox OS is an operating system based around the Firefox web browser. It runs apps developed using web technologies including HTML5 and JavaScript.

While the operating system can run on high-end devices, most of the first devices to run Firefox OS are low-cost smartphones aimed at developing markets and price-sensitive customers in more developed areas. The goal is to try to gain market share by appealing to folks who might not already have an Android, iOS, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone device.

But we’re also starting to see the software used for other things, such as the $25 MatchStick media streaming device which is powered by Firefox OS.

The MatchStick features a Rockchip RK3066 ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core CPU, and while I can’t quite make out the model number from the picture on the KDDI website, it looks like the Open Web Board may use the same processor. It certainly has a Rockchip process of some sort.

Other features of the Open Web Board include Bluetooth low energy, and support for the ZigBee wireless communications protocol.

It’s possible that developers could use the Open Web Board to test apps designed for Firefox OS smartphones. But it could also be a testing board for media streamers or Internet-of-Things devices running Mozilla’s software.

via Juggly

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2 replies on “KDDI and Mozilla unveil Open Web Board mini PC with Firefox OS”

  1. Cool. C’mon FireFox OS. We’re rooting for you. Hurry up and get something serious out that doesn’t spy on us.

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