Tablet-specific Firefox in the works

Web browser developer Mozilla® has decided to play its hand in the tablet computer market and is working on a mobile version of its open-source Firefox® browser for Android™ tablets.

In a blog post, the company reveals several user interface concepts that are making their way through the development pipeline. The browser keeps many of the same elements featured in Firefox for PCs and smartphones, including the over-sized back button, rounded tabs and the "Awesomebar."

However, Mozilla is also planning to introduce new elements optimized for the tablet's larger screen and touch controls. For example, Mozilla is bringing back tabbed browser -- a feature that was removed to conserve space on the smartphone version of the browser. Additionally, the tabs on Firefox's Awesomebar have been moved to the left side of the screen, which, Mozilla says, makes them easier to reach.

Mozilla mentions that its tablet-specific version of Firefox will be optimized for devices based on Android 3.0. As of yet, no drawing plans for other mobile operating systems appear to be in the mix.

This is not the first version of Firefox to be compatible with Android tablets. In fact, Firefox 6, which became available in August 2011, runs on both Android-based tablets and smartphones. However, the tablet-specific Firefox is expected to be optimized for the unique characteristics of tablet computers.