Mozilla enters Web app store arena

Mozilla says it is entering the app universe, opening its own Web Marketplace to compete with Apple's App Store and Google Play. The Mozilla Marketplace is intended to give users a one-stop shop for Web-based apps and games directly through it Firefox browser, TG Daily reported Wednesday. Fully compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux, the Mozilla Marketplace seems intent on providing users the same point-and-click convenience as its Apple or Google competitors, analysts said. One difference is that the Mozilla Marketplace actually presents its apps as desktop applications, with each app treated as a regular computer program that can be launched from the Windows Start Menu or given its own desktop icon. This ties the Mozilla Marketplace closely to a user's operating system, making if more than just an extension of a user's browser, TG Daily said.