New Firefox OS

DAILY DOT COM - Engineers are always looking to make smartphones smarter, and now Firefox is announcing news it says will definitely shake things up.

The web-browser is launching a new phone operating system.  Firefox OS was first talked about a year ago, on Monday we learned it's coming in the summer.

All the basics that you'd expect in an operating system are there: emails calendar, contacts, but there's a heavy focus on social media too.  For example, contacts will be automatically matched with their Facebook profiles...so when you click on their name you will have the option to call, email, or post directly to that persons Facebook wall or send them a message.

Many of the apps come pre-loaded on the phone including, AccuWeather, Disney Mobile Games, EA Games, Facebook, SoundCloud and Twitter.  Firefox says other apps are purchased through its marketplace.

The whole thing is web-based, unlike Google and Apple's operating systems, so that means anyone familiar with Web programming can create Firefox OS apps.

Mozilla showcased some of the first hardware devices, based on its software at the Mobile World Congress , taking place in Barcelona this week.

The phones are expected first in countries like Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Poland, and Spain; with the U.S. to follow.

For now, Sprint is the only one of the 18 announced mobile operators that plans to support the new operating system, but AT&T has reportedly shown interest .