[citation][nom]dimitrik[/nom]Mozilla's position on apple's policy (abhorrent though it is), seems to be off the mark. There are plenty of browsers on the app store, and many try to duplicate Firefox functionality. Atomic Browser is a popular one (*but not actually all that great*). Perfect browser is much better but for those who want the most complete and Firefox-like experience, the best is iCab Mobile - the only browser to support file donwloading (multiple downloads), secure bookmark syncing (without using a web service - it actually runs a mini webdav server while you upload your bookmarks.html file).Tabs, history, Full screen, controls for simultaneous http connections - its as close to firefox as it gets.So while I don't actually miss FF on the iPad, I do think their position is silly. Having said that I'm not a developer and there may be issues wit apple's policy on the allowed development tools (prog languages to the old timers). It may also seem like a good idea for them to concentrate on competing with Chrome on the desktop and leave the mobile devices for later, but given the rise of mobile Internet appliances, that seems like a strategic mistake:-([/citation]
Apple's guidelines states that "Apps that browse the Web must use the iOS WebKit framework and WebKit JavaScript". Firefox uses its own layout and javascript engines, so Apple would never allow it (or any browser that provides its own third party engines to the user) into their app store. The other browsers you listed are simply sitting on top of the layout and javascript engines built into iOS that are also used by the native Safari browser.
What strategic mistake? Firefox isn't ignoring mobile at all. They're developing Fennec for Android, which is going to take a huge slice of the global market pretty soon. And they're simply waiting for Blackberry and Symbian and Windows Phone 7 to get their act together and release the next generation of their mobile platform OSes that are supposed to compete with Android and iOS. It doesn't make sense for them to invest time in developing a full browser for older versions of these platforms that are about to be significantly upgraded or replaced.