The Firefox OS for mobile devices is built on Mozilla's "Boot to Gecko project" which unlocks many of the current limitations of web development on mobile, allowing HTML5 applications to access the underlying capabilities of a phone, previously only available to native applications.

ENGADGET: Mozilla says a slew of carriers and handset makers set to support Firefox OS

Nand memory is hot in devices like the iPod but can also be combined with server processors to boot up computers instantaneously, making Intel-based servers more desirable.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Another important factor in the latest round of thin vs. thick (lots more storage and processing capability) clients is that the current generation of mobile devices offer light weight attractive packaging, fast access to content (no wait for boot and application changes) and reasonable battery life (although this is an area of much needed development).

FORBES: Changing Digital Storage Requirements for Clouds and Mobile Devices