The Open Web Device: Mozilla and Telefonica's Project for Actually Native HTML5

While we wait with bated breath for any announcement from Mozilla regarding possible OEM partners for their Boot2Gecko mobile OS, here's a little background on the situation.

Mozilla and Telefonica each began working on this project separately in 2010, and when Mozilla announced the Boot2Gecko project, the R&D teams were merged with Mozilla focussing on the web technology, and Telefonica working to integrate Boot2Gecko with the Linux kernel (the same used for Android) and creating the UI.

Both companies are working with Qulacomm, who is providing the chipset.

By tightly integrating the Open Web Device with the chipset we will guarantee that any OEM will be able to manufacture a device with very little effort: it will be almost a plug & play procedure.

-- Open Web Device

With Mozilla's experience in the web browser world, it will be responsible for maintenance and updates of the Boot2Gecko middleware, while also providing security, using the same approach that has helped make Firefox so popular.

For more information, check out the Open Web Device page here.  And for the latest news and updates, follow @OpenWebDevice.