Mozilla Terminates Firefox OS for Phones and devices focuses on IoT

Firefox OS Logo

The final version of Firefox OS is version 2.6, which is set for release at the end of may 2016. "Firefox OS for smartphones can no longer have staff involvement beyond may," the post states.

Competing with Android and iOS is simply too hard, says Roter:

"We made an awesome push and created an impressive platform in Firefox OS. However, as we announced in December, the circumstances of multiple established operating systems and app ecosystems meant that we were playing catch-up, and the conditions were not there for Mozilla to win on commercial smartphones. We have decided that in order to succeed in the new area of Connected Devices we must focus our energy completely on prototyping the future and exploring how we can make the biggest impact in IoT".

The statement isn't a surprise, given a post in December by Senior VP Ari Jaaksi which he enthuses concerning IoT (Internet of Things) and adds that "We can explore and prototype new use cases within the world of connected devices as an open source project with a clear and concise target, the user benefit and experience."

As for connected devices, Roter says there are three projects that have passed from the idea phase to active investigation, of which one is absolutely public, the Firefox OS smart TV.

Firefox OS Devices

Firefox OS is open source, therefore in theory community work may continue, but not with the backing of a significant sponsor it's unlikely.

The barriers to entry in the smartphone market are quite huge, therefore Mozilla's retreat was perhaps inevitable. all the same, it's a tragic moment for those in search of an open smartphone platform.

The thinking behind Firefox OS was to own a smartphone operating system supported browser technology so internet apps would port simply which everything would be designed with open standards. affordable smartphones mistreatment the OS are free by vendors as well as Alcatel OneTouch, LG, ZTE and Huawei.

Firefox OS

Firefox OS is the one and only mobile operating system that's open source, developed in a very transparent way and receptive of contributions, that has shipped devices.

"Android in the variety of AOSP is essentially an open source dump. Roadmaps aren't public, contributions rare. we tend to square measure discard one thing distinctive and necessary. WP, iOS, BB10 aren't open," says community member Andre Alves Garzia during a comment.

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