After improving the performance of its flagship browser, Mozilla has decided to make its mark on the mixed reality market by launching its dedicated browser: Firefox Reality. What does it offer? Is it a revolution? The answer is in this article!
A browser that is still experimental but highly compatible
With an interface based on Quantum, Reality is for the time being available only in a developer version. Mozilla has left its trademark: the browser is open source, with the code accessible on GitHub.
You can already test the browser’s features with the most popular VR/AR headsets on the market, such as the HTC Vive Focus or the Oculus Go.
Even though Mozilla had already experimented with VR in 2017, notably by supporting the WebAR and WebVR APIs in Firefox, here the aim is not only to create mixed reality applications, but rather to create a complete experience in the browser using your headset.
To use the browser, you will need to use your headset’s controllers to move the mouse cursor, and also to carry out searches using voice commands.
According to Mozilla, the main targets for this browser are:
- Developers: in order to create VR applications that can be read directly from Firefox
- Artists: in order to use mixed reality for their works (because yes, VR/AR is now an art)
- Designers: in order to create AR/VR experiences directly on the web
Mozilla announced this new development in April 2018, but has remained very secretive about the detailed content of the browser. We know that updates will take place regularly in order to fix certain bugs, particularly those concerning gestures.
You can watch the Firefox Reality announcement in the video below:
Even though mixed reality is a subject that has been much talked about in recent months, most of the tools on offer are still fairly “experimental”. So what do you think — is it a good idea to combine a browser with VR/AR? Might that not compromise the basic use of a web browser?
If you are interested in VR or Mozilla’s other innovations, do take a look at our other articles.
