Virtual reality browser from Firefox maker Mozilla in the works

VR advocates believe that online VR experiences won't be limited to just games and experimental videos, but will also the more functional websites that we visit on a daily basis. — dpa

At some point in the future, you may no longer be reading news stories like this one on a phone or a desktop computer, but through a virtual reality headset.

At least that's the belief of Mozilla, the not-for-profit organisation behind open-source browser Firefox.

With that in mind, Mozilla is developing a cross-platform application for virtual reality (VR) browsing called Firefox Reality, expected to be launched in the summer of 2018.

Advocates believe that online VR experiences won't be limited to just games and experimental videos, but will also the more functional websites that we visit on a daily basis.

Mozilla's new browser should be compatible with a wide array of VR and augmented reality (AR) devices, according to the developer.

The Reality browser is already available in early developer versions for certain VR devices like the HTC Vice Focus or the Samsung Gear VR. Mozilla already offers the digital tool WebVR Assets, which enables users to easily publish virtual reality content onto websites.

The prerequisites here are that the VR content is generated with the development and runtime environment Unity, that an appropriate VR headset is at hand, and that the content can be opened in a WebVR-capable browser like Firefox. — dpa