Virtual reality brings what's on the screen directly into users' perception in an immersive way.
Gone are the days that contents are strictly limited to screen sizes. And Mozilla wants to take part in it by launching Firefox Reality, a web browser custom built for users using VR headsets.
Starting version 1.0, Firefox Reality can be downloaded for free in Viveport, Oculus, and Daydream app stores.
Firefox Reality here supports web search using users headset's microphone, negating the needs for typing.
It also showcases VR games users can play directly on their VR headset, as well as other VR experiences. All that can be accessed directly on Reality's home screen.
According to Andre Vrignaud, Head of Mixed Reality Platform Strategy at Mozilla:
Mozilla's start on virtual reality started when it created MozVR and the WebVR standards back in 2014. This was to help developers create virtual reality experiences for the web. After that, Mozilla proposed WebXR which supports augmented reality contents inside browsers.
So here, Mozilla has been developing this project for years, all with a goal to make 2D contents more enjoyable by making them more immersive, and accessible in the easiest way possible.
While VR headsets are certainly improving, so as the contents that can be enjoyed with them, VR in general is still far from mainstream. But with Mozilla attempting to embrace the ecosystem once more, it's clearly showing that the ecosystem is indeed maturing.
Firefox Reality that built is using Mozilla's Quantum engine for mobile browsers, is a big step towards that direction.
Mozilla said that it has compiled a long list of features that it wants to add to Firefox Reality, including support for bookmarks, 360-degree videos, and multiple user accounts.
Mozilla said that it believes in the power of transparency, community and collaboration. It's opening its doors for new ideas, or a bug report, or even if users just want to "geek out." Mozilla is also calling to creators, asking if they have immersive contents for the web available, or built something using WebVR.
If they do, Mozilla wants to connect with them about featuring those experiences in Firefox Reality.