Mozilla announced that it was launching an iPhone app that would allow Firefox users to open their favorite Web sites on their iPhones.
So what technology is Mozilla using? Is it a proxy browser route, as Opera Mini does? Actually not. Mozilla’s app, called Firefox Home for iPhone, is based instead on Mozilla’s sync technology. Firefox Sync lets Web surfers carry over their bookmarks, and history, as well as open tabs across smart phones and computers. But the addition of the “Awesome” URL bar in Firefox Home will fast track the search for sites. It will remember your previous searches and automatically save them; even those typed into your desktop browser.
Firefox Home for iPhone offers a twist on the problem of Apple’s SDK. The problem is that rather than creating a replica of the Firefox browser on the iPhone, Mozilla will present a window for your open Firefox tabs, and one that is encrypted for that matter. This means that Firefox Home will not function as a proxy browser. Rather, the application will launch pages in either a Safari, or a Web viewer
Firefox Sync 1.3 will include the ability to synchronize more Firefox preferences and Firefox Mobile support. There is a bookmark backup that starts up before the first sync occurs to prevent data loss and performance and interface improvements. The change log for the app indicates that many of the pre-existing features will work better. Also, account creation should be easier, with a revamped “wizard.”
Will this app be accepted into the Apple App store? Mozilla has not yet submitted Firefox Home for iPhone to the App Store. Assuming that the app’s hypothetical acceptance takes place, this will be an interesting development. It will mark the second successful placement into the App store of a solution from a third party that is not based on Apple’s Webkit browser platform.
Source: Mozilla Blog
