CeBIT: Mozilla CEO hints evolution of Web browser

Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker predicts the increasing intelligence of Web browsers will help evolve.

Speaking at Sydney’s CeBIT conference this week, Baker exclusively told iTnews.com.au that Mozilla is actively working on developing offline capabilities for Web applications that will rival anything seen on the desktop.

“Offline Web application support will allow people to use the Web applications they love on the plane, train or wherever they don’t have an internet connection,” said Baker.

With the materialisation of Web 2.0 the Internet will increase in capabilities and Web browsers will need to keep up with the fast pace of change.

“The Internet as a service will benefit life and will increasingly become a place where people can interact and conduct business. Web browsers will become more intelligent about content on the web, letting you dial a phone number or add a contact to an address book from a webpage in a single click,” said Baker.

With a 12 percent global market share and high take up rate in Australia and Europe, Baker said Mozilla aims to be a voice for the consumer to embrace the Web but admitts the product will evolve.

“We’ll continue to provide consumer products but at some point, the browser may grow into another type of product,” she said.