Firefox OS is an alternative developed by the foundation in charge of the browser Firefox.An open operating system tends to compete with Android smartphones available in the segment. The ZTE Open C is a simple phone with a screen of four inches, a dual core or an outstanding commitment to color. We had the chance to take a long look at this new platform. We tell you what our impressions are.
A simple phone with four-inch screen
The ZTE Open C is a terminal input range with a set of basic specifications. In the field of the screen, we have a panel of four inches with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. This is enough resolution to see system menus and to move through the different applications, but you can keep something in the case of short films and videos in high quality. We found a good tactile response most of the time, although it seems that the brightness level has been somewhat short and we can have some problems when it directly impacts the sunlight.
Moreover, one of the most interesting design nods to have been made with this terminal is the ability to buy the team in several different colors, a distinction that can provide a more relaxed and youthful touch. Their shapes are elongated and well rounded corners for easy gripping, with a general appearance of compact terminal. The full dimensions of ZTE Open C are 126 x 64.7 x 10.8 mm.
Power, Camera and connections
To run the system has a dual core processor of 1.2 GHz and a memory of 512 MB RAM. This is a sufficient set for normal uses Firefox OS, and we’ve had no problems at this point. As for internal memory, is a total of 4 GB. However, one of the typical characteristics of this system is that applications and games are stored separately from the media files. For our use, we can enjoy more than 900 MB for each section (just over 1.9 GB in total). If you need more space, we have the option to enter a memory card Micro SD up to 32 GB.
In the section of the camera has built a very simple goal with a resolution of 3 megapixels that will help us get by, but that does not have much quality. Connections include WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth and GPS to navigate.
Android … no back button
The main problem that we have seen in the system OS Firefox is the aspect of differentiation. This platform comes a priori to become an alternative to compete with Android in the segment of cheap phones. However, the number of advantages relative to the platform of Google is quite low. In fact, the weakness of its application store front vast ecosystem of apps on Android becomes an almost unbridgeable gulf. This difference may diminish over time if the platform gets support from developers (or by incentives or by increasing popularity of the ecosystem).
But as we said, one of the most contentious points of the system of Firefox is its low differentiation versus system developed by Google. Navigation through this platform is via icons that closely resemble those found on the iPhone and the iPad and users who have already used a mobile phone or tablet with Android will find many similarities when it comes to managing this environment Only … with more discomfort. And it has decided to sacrifice or backward buttons to open the app options and has remained a single button to return to the main screen of Firefox OS.
That does not mean that we move differently by applications. To go back there to drag your finger from the bottom of the panel up and that opens similar to the Firefox browser bar, with the option to go back a step. This movement, as in a computer is quite comfortable in the mobile generates a feeling of discomfort remarkable about the option of pressing a single button. As mentioned earlier, this system has been chosen to use a larger icon reminiscent of the iPhone. This does seem a wise move, as it allows working more comfortably even on small screens.
One bar to rule them all
The great hope of Firefox OS and its main attraction is contextual search bar. This aspect is a differentiating factor that can give much play to the user. When we introduce a term in this toolbar, it automatically performs a search that not only addresses the phone’s own applications, but also delves into various popular websites. The results are displayed as icons. For example, say you want to buy the ZTE Open C. introduce the term and go through the options that we will have an icon with the platform eBay. When you click on it, automatically we will have a list of results within eBay with ZTE Open C for sale. Or for example, want to buy a book. Introduce your name and one of the results automatically directed to the page of The Book dedicated to this title.
Too bad the rest is not, at least for the moment, at the same height. And there is the big problem (in our opinion) of Firefox OS is is lack of differentiation from iOS or Android. Windows Phone or BlackBerry OS 10 is systems that have not aroused much enthusiasm so far but facing a different use approach menus on a smartphone. If what we like is a system similar to use Android, most likely opt for one of these phones before having a mobile Firefox with less app.
Autonomy, prices and reviews
The ZTE Open C incorporates a simple battery of 1,400 mA. In our normal use we could use this smartphone without problems throughout a whole day without recharging. This mobile can be found in the market for a price of around 100 euros. In short, a proposal that aims to become an alternative to the cheap phones with Android, but is faced with two major handicaps. On the one hand, the system Firefox does not offer a large enough differentiation Android to call attention, except for the excellent search bar (the big attraction of Firefox OS). And what is worse, it seems difficult for users to bet on a similar while platform forgo huge ecosystem of apps from the Google store.
ZTE Open C, test mobile OS with Firefox
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