Mozilla launches Firefox OS simulator as platform-neutral browser extension

Firefox OS, the HTML-based operating system formerly known as Boot to Gecko, will have a tough time competing with the existing players as even high-profile attempts like Windows Phone are struggling to gain traction. Still, the Mozilla team thinks it is on to something with an OS built around HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and the next generation web.

And now, Firefox OS launches an emulator for developer to test their apps and curious users to look around. It is available as a Firefox extension and it is pretty straightforward to install. The “experimental” simulator runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.

Once you install the extension, it will stay up to date with the latest Firefox OS developments, so you don’t have to update it to have the current version. It is still version 0.7 and waiting to graduate into version 1.

It’s main goal, of course, is to get developers interested in writing for the platform: “the Firefox OS Simulator is the easiest way to try out Firefox OS apps today and to verify how they’ll look before submitting them to the Marketplace,” a member of the Mozilla team said.

The platform looks fairly conservative and we think that’s more of a good thing. You can check it out in our gallery below or hit the source to install the simulator on your Firefox.

source: Mozilla via TechCrunch