Hatton+J.+blog+post+analysis

Hatton J

TO: Proximity Mobile Team FROM: James Hatton SUBJECT: Nokia N900 First to Receive Firefox Mobile DATE: Feb 1st, 2010

This memo will feature a summary of an article from mozilla.com's blog titled "Firefox for Mobile Now Available on Nokia's Maemo Platform!". This article gives an overview of what the new mobile version of the popular Firefox browser can bring to the Nokia phone.


 * What Firefox Mobile brings to Nokia**

Mozilla (makers of Firefox) is introducing the users of the Nokia N900 to their first version of a mobile Firefox browser. With Firefox being exclusive to the Nokia N900 (for the time being), this could potentially lure a whole new base of users. Erica Jostedt of //Mozilla News// reports that Firefox Mobile will offer features that many other mobile-based browsers have yet to implement, thus making it stand out from the rest of the competition. Firefox Mobile will enable users to seamlessly sync their mobile device with their desktop; with the ability to transfer tabs, browsing history, passwords, and favorites right from their desktop onto their phone. This is also the first mobile Web browser to enable the use of add-ons, something Firefox is famous for. With Firefox being open-source, anyone can develop their own 'add-ons' (similar to apps) to do various things based on the users need. The thought of add-ons alone make this mobile Web browser stand out from the rest.


 * Why Firefox Mobile will help Nokia**

Firefox is packed full of features, as well as the ability to enhance your mobile Web viewing experience:


 * __Add-ons__ - Give you the ultimate mobile Web viewing experience. They allow full customization of the browser and add functionality and features in places you would (or wouldn't) ever think of. Add-ons can be everything from a game to a pop-up blocker, there really is no limit to what a user can develop.
 * __Location-Aware-Browsing__ - Enables the user to quickly browse maps knowing exactly where they are at any point in time as they are looking at a map. The browser realizes the phone is on a map, and automatically places them there, saving the hassle of entering your current location.
 * Questions to ask Proximity mobile users**

With Firefox's mobile browser being the first of it's kind, we need to ask mobile users that are both owners of the N900 and also other phones if this new offering will really change the mobile Web browsing experience and if they will use it.

If the focus group can get answers to these questions and analyze them, we will have a better understand on the effects of a richer mobile browsing experience on a small device.
 * Will the introduction of Firefox Mobile persuade more people to switch to Nokia providers just to use the browser on the N900?
 * Will the inevitable migration of Firefox Mobile to other devices and carriers 'steal the thunder' from Nokia?
 * Would you prefer to have all these elaborate features over a simple web browser on such a small device?

__Reference__

Jostedt, E. (2010, January 29) Firefox for Mobile Now Available On Nokia's Maemo Platform! //Mozilla News.// Retrieved Feb. 1, 2010 from http://blog.mozilla.com/blog/2010/01/29/firefox-for-maemo-now-available/