‘Firefox Reality’, Mozilla’s VR Web Browser, Launches on Major Standalone Headsets

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Mozilla today launched its made-for-VR web browser, Firefox Reality. The company says the browser is “designed from the ground up” for standalone VR headsets, and today it becomes available for the Oculus Go, Lenovo Mirage Solo, and Vive Focus (and other Vive Wave headsets).

Mozilla has been an early supporter of VR. As a key collaborator on WebVR—which makes it possible to run VR experiences from the web across many devices—the company continues to focus considerable effort into making VR a first-class citizen on the internet. As such, their new Firefox Reality browser is built with WebVR in mind, supporting both basic 2D browsing and immersive VR experiences accessible through the web.

In addition to having a home screen which highlights fresh WebVR content, the company has made VR considerations for basic browsing tasks, including voice-search and a private browsing mode. Mozilla says that the browser is based on the Quantum engine for mobile, the same engine that powers their speedy Firefox Quantum browser on desktop.

Image courtesy Mozilla

For developers interested in building WebVR content, Mozilla recently published a Firefox Reality Developers Guide. The company also suggests that developers reach out to the company to get their content highlighted through the browser.

While Mozilla is calling this the 1.0 launch of Firefox Reality, some key features are still missing—like bookmarks and support for 360 videos (an essential function to pair with the private browsing mode)—though the company says those functions will be coming soon, along with more “at a steady pace.”

“We are in this for the long haul. This is version 1.0 of Firefox Reality and version 1.1 is right around the corner. We have an always-growing list of ideas and features that we are working to add to make this the best browser for mixed reality. We will also be listening and react quickly when we need to provide bug fixes and other minor updates,” said Sean White, Mozilla’s Chief R&D Officer, as part of the launch announcement.

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Image courtesy Mozilla

Firefox Reality is available as of today on standalone VR headsets including Oculus Go, Lenovo Mirage Solo, and Vive Focus (and other standalone headsets based on the Vive Wave platform). The browser is not currently supported on smartphone shell headsets like Gear VR or Daydream View.

While the dedicated Firefox Reality browser isn’t available for PC headsets, the latest  Firefox desktop browser supports WebVR content via the Rift, Vive, and Windows VR headsets.

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Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • JesuSaveSouls

    Where do we download it? I do not see it on daydream.

  • Xron

    With current headsets it seems still inefficient, + sites aren’t created with Vr in mind yet.
    Though, progress in this direction is welcome.

  • OkinKun

    I hope this gets added to the Go app store soon!
    EDIT: Just as I posted this, I just doubled checked, and NOW it IS on the Go store! :D

  • R FC

    might want to edit?

    “Firefox Reality is available as of today on standalone VR headsets including Oculus Go, Lenovo Mirage Solo, and Vive Focus (and other standalone headsets based on the Vive Wave platform). The browser is not currently supported on smartphone shell headsets like *Oculus Go* or Daydream View.”

    You mean *Gear VR* or Daydream View?

  • jc

    notice the half second clip showcasing the godawful virtual keyboard

    none of the standalone/mobile vr devices available have keyboard support and it’s the dumbest thing ever

    • Smokey_the_Bear

      AT least it can do voice search…that’s very important. but yeah, I expect companies (like Oculus) to release their own keyboards. which will show up in your headset just like the controllers do. It’s only a matter of time.

  • JesuSaveSouls

    Update works and its amazing

  • Frostbite

    Hit me up when it’s on my regular Vive. Invested enough as it is and viveport sucks. Horrible representation of the poor unit.