Mozilla has plenty interest in creating a Firefox browser for iOS. However, it might not do so any time soon, since Apple restricts third party browsers from using native engine. All third party browsers on iOS, must use Apple's UIWebView component, which is not fast enough compared to Safari.

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The engine used in Safari is called Nitro. It enables the browser to be quite fast when rendering Javascript. However, Apple does not allow third party browser makers to take advantage of this engine, forcing them to use the inferior UIWebView component instead. This means Safari gets a speed advantage over third party browsers, and it will forever stay that way unless Apple changes its stance.

While many third party browsers like Google Chrome and Opera Mini uses the UIWebView component on iOS, that is not enough for Mozilla. The company wishes to go all out by using its own code and the new IonMonkey rendering engine that found its way in recent versions of Firefox on the Desktop and on Android.

Mozilla faces similar problems with Windows RT, though it is not as restrictive. The future could bring lawsuits for Apple if browser makers come together to vent their frustration.

Futhermore, last year Mozilla demoed a Firefox browser called Junior running on the iPad. It was designed around the UIWebView, but never made it to market. How long Mozilla is willing to wait is left to be seen, as iOS is a very important platform for potential growth.

Change could be on the horizon for Mozilla, as the company is preparing devices with its Firefox OS installed. It will be interesting to see how this venture turns out in the not so distant feature.

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