Mozilla is finally ready to release the first version of its Firefox Mobile browser after over a year and a misstep that required the company to start over from scratch. So how on earth does Mozilla plan to kill the App Store model with its mobile browser?

Mozilla is set to release its mobile browser, codenamed Fennec, for the Nokia N900 tablet with versions coming next year for Windows Mobile and Android. While the company has shown some interface mock-ups previously, this is the first sign that the new browser is ready for prime time three years after the iPhone’s mobile Safari changed the way we interact with the mobile Web.

The browser will be touch-friendly, have a plugin system and can even sync the tabs you’re viewing on your desktop computer with your mobile device. However there are a lot of things that it can’t do that make other applications worthwhile.

These functions include anything that requires your GPS location which isn’t broadcast through a browser for security reasons, applications that look up or update your contacts and streaming media applications. So with all of these functions that can’t run in a mobile browser, how does Mozilla expect to get users to ditch the App Store?

The company is basing this assumption on the fact that the same thing happened on the desktop Web. Once the Internet matured, users started moving their contacts and even streaming Flash-based music and video content over the Web.

While it’s likely that some applications will be made obsolete as the mobile Web matures, Mozilla isn’t quite ready to make that happen yet. After all, the company hasn’t even released a browser that will run on any of the top mobile platforms yet.’

Mozilla’s vision and ambition are both admirable, the company needs to focus on shipping good lightweight applications that they can build upon. Otherwise Firefox mobile could end up throttling mobile devices much like its bloated cousin does to desktop machines.

What about if you don't have an internet connection handy?

What about if you don't have an internet connection handy?

What about if you don't have an internet connection handy?

How long till Firefox mobile will support Google gears? I agree with the concept of an app for unconnected functionality. but i believe technology is catching up and will make it unnecessary soon.

How long till Firefox mobile will support Google gears? I agree with the concept of an app for unconnected functionality. but i believe technology is catching up and will make it unnecessary soon.

*I really wish people could divorce the idea of a browser from the action of being online.

Soon is probably a few years, the mean time we still need installable apps. Besides, I don't know about you, but I'm not comfortable with having all my data access be in the cloud, controlled by a faceless corporation (or person).