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No tall tail: Foxconn triples number of employees working on Firefox OS devices

Looking set to take on Android

No tall tail: Foxconn triples number of employees working on Firefox OS devices
Chinese manufacturer Foxconn is planning to triple the number of workers allocated to the development of devices running Mozilla's forthcoming Firefox OS.

That's according to the Taipai Times, which reports that Foxconn had originally planned to set aside 1,000 employees to handle Firefox device manufacturing.

That number has now apparently tripped to 3,000, with expectations for the mobile OS - predicted to challenge Google's Android strongly in developing markets - now rising.

The paper claims that, as well as Firefox OS-powered smartphones and tablets, said workforce will also be used to manufacture TVs, electronic whiteboards, and outdoor displays running Mozilla's operating system.

Soaring demand

Best known for manufacturing Apple's iPhone and iPad, it's suggested Foxconn sees Firefox OS as a viable open-source alternative to Android.

Following the announcement of Firefox OS, developers snatched up preview phones when they went on sale back in April.

Both the Keon and Peak handsets were listed as out of stock within hours of their availability, with Spanish Smartphone OEM GeeksPhone shifting 5,000 Firefox phones per day.

Firefox OS powered devices are expected in emerging markets this summer, but aren't expected in the US until 2014.

[source: Taipai Times]

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Representing the former colonies, Matt keeps the Pocket Gamer news feed updated when sleepy Europeans are sleeping. As a frustrated journalist, diehard gamer and recovering MMO addict, this is pretty much his dream job.