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Firefox OS#Release history

{{Short description|Mobile operating system by Mozilla (2014–2017)}}

{{About|the operating system by Mozilla |other uses |Firefox (disambiguation)}}

{{Distinguish|Fire OS}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}

{{Infobox OS

| logo = Firefox OS Vertical SVG Logo.svg

| logo size = 128px

| screenshot = Firefox OS 2.1 - Lock screen.png

| screenshot_size = 200px

| caption = Firefox OS 2.1 nightly build lock screen (Italian)

| developer = Mozilla Corporation

| family = Linux (Unix-like)

| released = {{start date and age|2013|2|21}}

| discontinued = yes

| marketing target = Smartphones
Tablet computers

| ui = Graphical

| license = MPL 2.0 and GPLv2 (Linux kernel){{cite web|url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/legal/eula/|title=Mozilla Eula|work=Mozilla|access-date=October 20, 2014|archive-date=October 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021035640/https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/legal/eula/|url-status=live}}

| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20130704175938/http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/os/ mozilla.org/firefox/os]

| name =

| working_state = Discontinued; forked to form KaiOS

| source_model = Open source{{cite web|url=https://www.mozilla.org/foundation/licensing.html|title=Mozilla Licensing Policies|work=Mozilla|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=May 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531233252/http://www.mozilla.org/foundation/licensing.html|url-status=live}}

| latest_release_version = 2.2.0

| latest_release_date = {{start date and age|2015|4|29}}

| latest_preview_version = 2.5.0

| latest_preview_date =

| kernel_type = Linux kernel

| supported_platforms = ARM, x86, MIPS

| programmed_in = HTML5, CSS, JavaScript,B2G/Architecture - Mozilla Wiki. C++

| updatemodel =

| package_manager =

}}

Firefox OS{{cite web |url=http://www.frikipandi.com/public/post/geeksphone-el-primer-movil-en-espana-con-firefox-os-445.asp |title=The first mobile in Spain with Firefox OS. Geekphone Keon y Peak |date=January 22, 2013 |access-date=January 22, 2013 |archive-date=January 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125074832/http://www.frikipandi.com/public/post/geeksphone-el-primer-movil-en-espana-con-firefox-os-445.asp |url-status=live }} (project name: Boot to Gecko, also known as B2G){{cite web|date=August 21, 2012|title=Firefox OS|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Firefox_OS|url-status=dead|access-date=September 17, 2012|publisher=Mozilla|archive-date=December 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204175623/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Firefox_OS}} is a discontinued open-source operating system made for smartphones,{{Cite news|title = Want to Buy A Webphone?|last = Olson|first = Parmy|date = April 15, 2013|work = Forbes|type = paper|page = 52|author-link = Parmy Olson}} tablet computers,{{cite web |url=https://hacks.mozilla.org/2014/01/mozilla-launches-contribution-program-to-help-deliver-firefox-os-to-tablets/ |title=Mozilla Launches Contribution Program to Help Deliver Firefox OS to Tablets |first=Asa |last=Dotzler |date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626220009/https://hacks.mozilla.org/2014/01/mozilla-launches-contribution-program-to-help-deliver-firefox-os-to-tablets/ |url-status=live }} smart TVs,{{cite web |url=https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/01/06/mozilla-and-partners-to-bring-firefox-os-to-new-platforms-and-devices/ |title=Mozilla and Partners to Bring Firefox OS to New Platforms and Devices |date=January 6, 2014 |publisher=Mozilla Corporation |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150726/https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/01/06/mozilla-and-partners-to-bring-firefox-os-to-new-platforms-and-devices/ |url-status=live }} and dongles designed by Mozilla and external contributors. It is based on the rendering engine of the Firefox web browser, Gecko, and on the Linux kernel. It was first commercially released in 2014.

Firefox OS was designed to provide a complete,{{cite mailing list |last = Gal |first = Andreas |title = Booting to the web |mailing-list = mozilla.dev.platform |date = June 25, 2011 |url = https://groups.google.com/group/mozilla.dev.platform/browse_thread/thread/7668a9d46a43e482?pli=1 |access-date = November 20, 2011}} community-based alternative operating system, for running web applications directly or those installed from an application marketplace. The applications use open standards and approaches such as JavaScript and HTML5, a robust privilege model, and open web APIs that can communicate directly with hardware, e.g. cellphone hardware. As such, Mozilla with Firefox OS competed with commercially developed operating systems such as Apple's iOS, Google's Android, Microsoft's Windows Phone, BlackBerry's BlackBerry 10, Samsung's/Linux Foundation's Tizen, and Jolla's Sailfish OS. In December 2015, Mozilla announced it would stop development of new Firefox OS smartphones{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/12/08/mozilla-will-stop-developing-and-selling-firefox-os-smartphones/|title=Mozilla Will Stop Developing And Selling Firefox OS Smartphones - TechCrunch|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden|date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2017|archive-date=January 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131184605/https://techcrunch.com/2015/12/08/mozilla-will-stop-developing-and-selling-firefox-os-smartphones/|url-status=live}} and, in September 2016, announced the end of development.{{cite web | last=Hoffman | first=Chris | title=Mozilla is stopping all commercial development on Firefox OS | website=PCWorld | date=September 28, 2016 | url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3124563/open-source-tools/mozilla-is-stopping-all-commercial-development-on-firefox-os.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116165653/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3124563/open-source-tools/mozilla-is-stopping-all-commercial-development-on-firefox-os.html | archive-date=January 16, 2017 | url-status=live | access-date=April 7, 2019}} Successors to Firefox OS include the discontinued B2G OS{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS|title=B2G OS|website=developer.mozilla.org|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2019|archive-date=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430045809/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Firefox_OS|url-status=dead}} and Acadine Technologies' never-released H5OS as well as KaiOS Technologies' KaiOS and Panasonic's My Home Screen for smart TVs.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G|title=B2G - MozillaWiki|website=wiki.mozilla.org|access-date=July 26, 2011|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807222134/https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G|url-status=live}}

History

Firefox OS was publicly demonstrated in February 2012, on Android-compatible smartphones.{{cite web |url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/250879/first_look_at_mozillas_web_platform_for_phones_boot_to_gecko.html |title = First Look at Mozilla's Web Platform for Phones: 'Boot to Gecko' |author = Ginny Maies |date = February 28, 2012 |publisher = PCWorld |access-date = March 23, 2012 |archive-date = April 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120402210600/http://www.pcworld.com/article/250879/first_look_at_mozillas_web_platform_for_phones_boot_to_gecko.html |url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://hoowstuffworks.blogspot.com/2011/07/mozilla-making-mobile-os-using-android.html | title = Mozilla making mobile OS using Android | work = blog | date = July 2011 | publisher = I Didn't Know That! | access-date = August 4, 2011 | archive-date = October 3, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131003023449/http://hoowstuffworks.blogspot.com/2011/07/mozilla-making-mobile-os-using-android.html | url-status = dead }} By December 16, 2014, fourteen operators in 28 countries throughout the world offered Firefox OS phones.{{cite web |url= https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/12/16/firefox-os-expands-to-nearly-30-countries/ |title= Firefox OS Expands to Nearly 30 Countries |date= December 16, 2014 |publisher= Mozilla Corporation |access-date= December 17, 2014 |archive-date= December 18, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141218130507/https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/12/16/firefox-os-expands-to-nearly-30-countries/ |url-status= live }}

On December 8, 2015, Mozilla announced that it would stop sales of Firefox OS smartphones through carriers.{{cite web|url= https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/12/firefox-os-smartphones-are-dead/|title= Firefox OS smartphones are dead|date= December 8, 2015|access-date= June 14, 2017|archive-date= July 2, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180702122033/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/12/firefox-os-smartphones-are-dead/|url-status= live}} Mozilla later announced that Firefox OS smartphones would be discontinued by May 2016, as the development of "Firefox OS for smartphones"{{cite web |url= https://discourse.mozilla-community.org/t/firefox-os-connected-devices-announcement/6864 |title= Firefox OS/Connected Devices Announcement |date= February 4, 2016 |quote= |publisher= Mozilla |access-date= February 5, 2016 |archive-date= May 26, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170526215906/https://discourse.mozilla-community.org/t/firefox-os-connected-devices-announcement/6864 |url-status= live }} This means that Firefox OS for smartphones will no longer have staff involvement beyond May. [..] As of today, we have 3 projects that have passed the first gate including [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox_OS/Smart_TV SmartTV], and about a dozen more projects are prepping for review. would cease after the release of version 2.6. Around the same time, it was reported that Acadine Technologies, a startup founded by Li Gong (former president of Mozilla Corporation) with various other former Mozilla staff among its employees, would take over the mission of developing carrier partnerships, for its own Firefox OS derivative H5OS.{{Cite web |title = Startup picks up the torch for troubled Firefox OS |url = http://www.cnet.com/news/startup-acadine-picks-up-the-torch-for-mozillas-troubled-firefox-os/ |website = CNET |access-date = December 12, 2015 |last = Shankland |first = Stephen |date = December 10, 2015 |archive-date = July 17, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180717153518/https://www.cnet.com/news/startup-acadine-picks-up-the-torch-for-mozillas-troubled-firefox-os/ |url-status = live }}

In January 2016, Mozilla announced that Firefox OS would power Panasonic's UHD TVs (as previously announced Firefox OS "would pivot to connected devices").{{cite web|url= https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2016/01/05/firefox-os-will-power-new-panasonic-uhd-tvs-unveiled-at-ces/|title= Firefox OS will Power New Panasonic UHD TVs Unveiled at CES – The Mozilla Blog|website= The Mozilla Blog|access-date= February 16, 2016|archive-date= April 29, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160429225936/https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2016/01/05/firefox-os-will-power-new-panasonic-uhd-tvs-unveiled-at-ces/|url-status= live}} In September 2016, Mozilla announced that work on Firefox OS had ceased, and that all B2G-related code would be removed from mozilla-central.{{Cite web

|title = B2G OS and Gecko Announcement from Ari Jaaksi & David Bryant

|url = https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/mozilla.dev.fxos/FoAwifahNPY/Lppm0VHVBAAJ

|access-date = September 27, 2016

|date = September 27, 2016

|archive-date = December 7, 2019

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191207213542/https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/mozilla.dev.fxos/FoAwifahNPY/Lppm0VHVBAAJ

|url-status = live

}}

Project inception and roll-out

=Commencement of project=

On July 25, 2011, Andreas Gal, Director of Research at Mozilla Corporation, announced the "Boot to Gecko" Project (B2G) on the mozilla.dev.platform mailing list. The project proposal was to "pursue the goal of building a complete, standalone operating system for the open web" in order to "find the gaps that keep web developers from being able to build apps that are{{snd}} in every way{{snd}} the equals of native apps built for the iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone 7." The announcement identified these work areas: new web APIs to expose device and OS capabilities such as telephone and camera, a privilege model to safely expose these to web pages, applications to prove these capabilities, and low-level code to boot on an Android-compatible device.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

This led to much blog coverage.{{cite web |url = http://gagagadget.com/wordpress/2011/07/firefox-phone-mozilla-os-mobile/ |title = The Firefox Phone? Mozilla Working on Android-Esque OS |work = blog |publisher = Gagagadget |date = July 26, 2011 |access-date = August 4, 2011 |archive-date = July 27, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140727081600/http://gagagadget.com/wordpress/2011/07/firefox-phone-mozilla-os-mobile/ |url-status = live }}{{cite web |url = http://androinica.com/2011/07/mozilla-borrows-from-android-to-create-its-own-mobile-operating-system/ |title = Mozilla borrows from Android to create its own mobile operating system |work = blog |publisher = androinica |author = Andrew Kameka |date = July 26, 2011 |access-date = August 4, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110830130454/http://androinica.com/2011/07/mozilla-borrows-from-android-to-create-its-own-mobile-operating-system/ |archive-date = August 30, 2011 |url-status = dead }} According to Ars Technica, "Mozilla says that B2G is motivated by a desire to demonstrate that the standards-based open Web has the potential to be a competitive alternative to the existing single-vendor application development stacks offered by the dominant mobile operating systems."{{cite web |url= https://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2011/07/mozilla-eyes-mobile-os-landscape-with-new-boot-to-gecko-project.ars |title= Mozilla eyes mobile OS landscape with new Boot to Gecko project |publisher= Ars Technica |date= July 26, 2011 |author= Ryan Paul |access-date= August 4, 2011 |archive-date= September 12, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110912005225/http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2011/07/mozilla-eyes-mobile-os-landscape-with-new-boot-to-gecko-project.ars |url-status= live }}

In 2012, Andreas Gal expanded on Mozilla's aims. He characterized the current set of mobile operating systems as "walled gardens"{{cite web |url = http://www.knowyourmobile.com/features/1267951/mozillas_boot_2_gecko_and_why_it_could_change_the_world.html |title = Mozilla's Boot 2 Gecko and why it could change the world - Features |publisher = Know Your Mobile |date = March 2, 2012 |access-date = August 18, 2012 |archive-date = January 28, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130128021225/http://www.knowyourmobile.com/features/1267951/mozillas_boot_2_gecko_and_why_it_could_change_the_world.html |url-status = live }} and presented Firefox OS as more accessible: "We use completely open standards and there’s no proprietary software or technology involved." (That changed in 2014; see Digital rights management (DRM), below.) Gal also said that because the software stack is entirely HTML5, there are already a large number of established developers. This assumption is employed in Mozilla's WebAPI.WebAPI These are intended W3C standards that attempt to bridge the capability gap that currently exists between native frameworks and web applications.{{cite web |url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/WebAPI#Process |title=WebAPI - MozillaWiki |publisher=Wiki.mozilla.org |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514115126/https://wiki.mozilla.org/WebAPI#Process |url-status=live }} The goal of these efforts is to enable developers to build applications using WebAPI which would then run in any standards compliant browser without the need to rewrite their application for each platform.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

File:XI. Simonyi Konferencia - 2014.04.15 (38).JPG

=Development history=

In July 2012, Boot to Gecko was rebranded as 'Firefox OS',{{cite web |last = Brown |first = Mark |url = https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/03/mozilla-firefox-os |title = Mozilla's HTML5 phone platform now called Firefox OS, launching 2013 (Wired UK) |publisher = Wired.co.uk |date = August 8, 2012 |access-date = August 18, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120705221705/https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/03/mozilla-firefox-os |archive-date = July 5, 2012 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all}} after Mozilla's well-known desktop browser, Firefox, and screenshots began appearing in August 2012.{{cite web |url = http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2196370/mozilla-shows-off-firefox-os-screenshots |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120805033952/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2196370/mozilla-shows-off-firefox-os-screenshots |url-status = unfit |archive-date = August 5, 2012 |title = Mozilla shows off Firefox OS screenshots |publisher = The Inquirer |access-date = August 18, 2012}}

In September 2012, analysts Strategy Analysts forecast that Firefox OS would account for 1% of the global smartphone market in 2013, its first year of commercial availability.{{cite web |url = http://blogs.strategyanalytics.com/WSS/post/2012/09/27/Firefox-OS-to-Capture-1-Percent-Share-of-Global-Smartphone-Market-in-2013.aspx |title = Firefox OS to Capture 1 Percent Share of Global Smartphone Market in 2013 |publisher = Strategy Analytics |access-date = September 27, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121024000503/http://blogs.strategyanalytics.com/WSS/post/2012/09/27/Firefox-OS-to-Capture-1-Percent-Share-of-Global-Smartphone-Market-in-2013.aspx |archive-date = October 24, 2012 |df = mdy-all}}

In February 2013, Mozilla announced plans for its global commercial roll-out of Firefox OS.{{cite web |url = https://blog.mozilla.org/press/2013/02/firefox-os-expansion/ |title = Mozilla Announces Global Expansion for Firefox OS |publisher = mozilla |date = February 24, 2013 |access-date = March 27, 2013 |archive-date = December 13, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131213070101/https://blog.mozilla.org/press/2013/02/firefox-os-expansion/ |url-status = live }}

Mozilla announced at a press conference before the start of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the first wave of Firefox OS devices would be available to consumers in Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Venezuela. Mozilla also announced that LG Electronics, ZTE, Huawei and TCL Corporation had committed to making Firefox OS devices.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21522713 |title = Mozilla reveals Firefox smartphone launch partners |publisher = BBC |date = February 24, 2013 |access-date = March 28, 2013 |archive-date = March 28, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130328061641/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21522713 |url-status = live }}

In December 2013, new features were added with the 1.2 release, including conference calling, silent SMS authentication for mobile billing, improved push notifications, and three state settings for Do Not Track.{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Releases/1.2|title=Firefox OS 1.2 for developers|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230608/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Releases/1.2|url-status=dead}}

Async Pan and Zoom (APZ),{{cite web|url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/Platform/GFX/APZ|title=Platform/GFX/APZ|work=mozilla.org|access-date=April 4, 2014|archive-date=April 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407084826/https://wiki.mozilla.org/Platform/GFX/APZ|url-status=live}} included in version 1.3, should improve user interface responsiveness.

Work was done to optimize Firefox OS to run a 128 MB platform with version 1.3T.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/FirefoxOS/Tarako|title=Firefox OS/Tarako - MozillaWiki|website=wiki.mozilla.org|access-date=April 4, 2014|archive-date=June 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604011505/https://wiki.mozilla.org/FirefoxOS/Tarako|url-status=live}} A 128 MB device is out{{cite web|url=https://firefoxosdevices.org/en/intex-cloud-fx/|title=Intex Cloud FX - Smartphone with Mozilla Firefox OS 1.3T|work=Firefox OS Devices|access-date=November 13, 2014|archive-date=November 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113101037/https://firefoxosdevices.org/en/intex-cloud-fx/|url-status=live}} that seems to use that version but it may be unfinished.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

In 2015, Mozilla ported Firefox OS (an "experimental version") to MIPS32 to work in a sub-$100 tablet (that can also run Android 4.4 KitKat).{{cite news|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2900912/imagination-floats-sub100-mips-tablet-running-firefox-os.html|title=Imagination floats sub-$100 MIPS tablet running Firefox OS|first=Agam|last=Shah|publisher=IDG News Service|work=PC World|date=March 23, 2015|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=June 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605161158/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2900912/imagination-floats-sub100-mips-tablet-running-firefox-os.html|url-status=live}} Mozilla has worked on developing the OS for Smart Feature Phones.{{Cite web|title = Is there a market for the new Smart Feature Phones? - Firefox OS Central|url = http://firefoxoscentral.com/2015/09/the-smart-feature-phones/|access-date = September 18, 2015|archive-date = September 19, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150919023120/http://firefoxoscentral.com/2015/09/the-smart-feature-phones/|url-status = dead}}

Firefox OS was discontinued in January 2017.

=Digital rights management=

In 2014, Gal announced a change in course, writing that future versions of the Firefox browser would include digital rights management (DRM).{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/may/14/firefox-closed-source-drm-video-browser-cory-doctorow|title=Firefox's adoption of closed-source DRM breaks my heart|first=Cory|last=Doctorow|date=May 14, 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=December 14, 2016|archive-date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607210818/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/may/14/firefox-closed-source-drm-video-browser-cory-doctorow|url-status=live}} Implementation of DRM in the Firefox browser began with version 38.{{cite web|url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-drm|title=Watch DRM content on Firefox - Firefox Help|website=support.mozilla.org|access-date=September 15, 2015|archive-date=September 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907004404/https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-drm|url-status=live}}

In August 2015, attempts by Matchstick TV (based on Firefox OS) to add DRM caused the demise of Matchstick, a decision that Boing Boing called "suicide-by-DRM".{{cite web|url=https://boingboing.net/2015/08/04/open-chromecast-killer-com.html|title=Open "Chromecast killer" committed suicide-by-DRM|website=Boing Boing|date=August 4, 2015|access-date=September 15, 2015|archive-date=September 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922083753/https://boingboing.net/2015/08/04/open-chromecast-killer-com.html|url-status=live}}

=Demonstrations=

File:Mako-b2g.png

At Mobile World Congress 2012, Mozilla and Telefónica announced that the Spanish telecommunications provider intended to deliver "open Web devices" in 2012, based on HTML5 and these APIs.{{cite press release |title = Telefónica and Mozilla pioneer first Open Web Devices |url = http://saladeprensa.telefonica.com/jsp/base.jsp?contenido=/jsp/notasdeprensa/notadetalle.jsp&selectNumReg=5&pagina=1&id=66&origen=notapres&idm=eng&pais=1&elem=17874 |publisher = Telefónica |date = February 27, 2012 |access-date = March 23, 2012 |archive-date = January 20, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160120112459/http://saladeprensa.telefonica.com/jsp/base.jsp?contenido=%2Fjsp%2Fnotasdeprensa%2Fnotadetalle.jsp&selectNumReg=5&pagina=1&id=66&origen=notapres&idm=eng&pais=1&elem=17874 |url-status = dead }}

Mozilla also announced support for the project from Adobe and Qualcomm, and that Deutsche Telekom’s Innovation Labs would join the project.{{cite press release |title = Mozilla in Mobile – the Web is the Platform |url = http://blog.mozilla.com/blog/2012/02/27/mozilla-in-mobile-the-web-is-the-platform/ |date = February 27, 2012 |publisher = Mozilla |access-date = March 23, 2012}}

Mozilla demonstrated a "sneak preview" of the software and apps running on Samsung Galaxy S II phones (replacing their usual Android operating system).{{cite web |url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400901,00.asp |title = Mozilla Tackles Walled Gardens, Demos 'Boot to Gecko' Mobile OS |author = Chloe Albanesius |date = February 28, 2012 |publisher = PCMag.com |access-date = March 23, 2012 |archive-date = April 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120402152619/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400901,00.asp |url-status = live }}

In August 2012, a Nokia employee demonstrated the OS running on a Raspberry Pi.{{cite web |url = https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/17/firefox_os_on_pi/ |title = Raspberry Pi now comes in Firefox OS flavour |publisher = Theregister.com |access-date = September 15, 2012 |archive-date = September 3, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120903123313/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/17/firefox_os_on_pi/ |url-status = live }}

Firefox OS is compatible with a number of devices, including Otoro, PandaBoard, Emulator (ARM and x86), Desktop, Nexus S, Nexus S 4G, Samsung Galaxy S II, Galaxy Nexus{{cite web |title = B2G Build Prerequisites |url = https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Firefox_OS/Firefox_OS_build_prerequisites |publisher = Mozilla Developer Network |access-date = September 9, 2012 |archive-date = October 12, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131012012612/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Firefox_OS/Firefox_OS_build_prerequisites |url-status = dead }} and Nexus 4. A MIPS port was created by Imagination Technologies in March 2015.{{cite web|url=http://linuxgizmos.com/firefox-os-ported-to-mips-on-ingenic-tablet/|title=Firefox OS ported to MIPS on Ingenic tablet|work=LinuxGizmos|date=March 25, 2015|access-date=April 24, 2015|archive-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506112407/http://linuxgizmos.com/firefox-os-ported-to-mips-on-ingenic-tablet/|url-status=live}}

In December 2012, Mozilla rolled out another update and released Firefox OS Simulator 1.0, which can be downloaded as an add-on for Firefox. The latest version of Firefox OS Simulator, version 4.0, was released on July 3, 2013{{cite web|url = https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/firefox-os-simulator/versions/|title = Firefox OS Simulator :: Versions :: Add-ons for Firefox|access-date = July 15, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115051/https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/firefox-os-simulator/versions/|archive-date = April 2, 2015|url-status = dead}} and announced on July 11, 2013.{{cite web|title=Firefox OS Simulator 4.0 released ✩ Mozilla Hacks – the Web developer blog|url=https://hacks.mozilla.org/2013/07/firefox-os-simulator-4-0-released/|access-date=July 15, 2013|author=Angelina Fabbro|date=July 11, 2013|archive-date=August 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807053303/https://hacks.mozilla.org/2013/07/firefox-os-simulator-4-0-released/|url-status=live}}

Mozilla's planned US$25 Firefox smartphone displayed at MWC, is built by Spreadtrum.{{cite web|url=http://www.gsmarena.com/spreadtrum_planning_a_25_firefox_os_smartphone-news-7905.php|title=Spreadtrum planning a $25 Firefox OS smartphone|work=GSMArena.com|access-date=March 18, 2014|archive-date=January 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103023910/http://www.gsmarena.com/spreadtrum_planning_a_25_firefox_os_smartphone-news-7905.php|url-status=live}} Mozilla has collaborated with four handset makers and five wireless carriers to provide five Firefox-powered smartphones in Europe and Latin America so far with cellphone launches being led by UK marketer John D. Bernard. In India, Mozilla planned a launching at $25 in partnership with Intex and Spice,{{cite web |title = Mozilla to launch $25 phone in India in partnership with Intex & Spice |date = June 18, 2014 |url = http://www.indianweb2.com/2014/06/mozilla-launch-25-phone-india-partnership-intex-spice |publisher = IndianWeb2.com |access-date = June 18, 2014 |archive-date = July 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140716190245/http://www.indianweb2.com/2014/06/mozilla-launch-25-phone-india-partnership-intex-spice/ |url-status = live }} but the price ended up being $33 (converted from 1,999 Rupees).{{cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/25/mozilla-debuts-33-cloud-fx-smartphone-in-bid-to-capture-indian-market/|title=Mozilla debuts $33 Cloud FX smartphone in bid to capture Indian market|author=Bianca Vázquez Toness, Bloomberg News|date=August 25, 2014|work=Financial Post|access-date=October 20, 2014|archive-date=September 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928214308/http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/25/mozilla-debuts-33-cloud-fx-smartphone-in-bid-to-capture-indian-market/|url-status=live}}

Core technologies

File:Firefox OS Architecture diagram.png

The initial development work involves three major software layers:{{cite web |title = B2G/Architecture wiki page |url = https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Platform/Architecture |date = September 3, 2014 |work = MDN |publisher = Mozilla |access-date = November 5, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140604022951/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Platform/Architecture |archive-date = June 4, 2014 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all}}

=Gonk=

Gonk consists of a Linux kernel and user-space hardware abstraction layer (HAL). The kernel and several user-space libraries are common open-source projects: Linux, libusb, BlueZ, etc. Some other parts of the HAL are shared with the Android project: GPS, camera, among others. Gonk is basically an extremely simple Linux distribution and is therefore from Gecko's perspective, simply a porting target of Gecko; there is a port of Gecko to Gonk, just like there is a port of Gecko to OS X, and a port of Gecko to Android. However, since the development team has full control over Gonk, the developers can fully expose all the features and interfaces required for comprehensive mobile platforms such as Gecko, but which aren't currently possible to access on other mobile OSes. For example, using Gonk, Gecko can obtain direct access to the full telephone stack and display framebuffer, but doesn't have this access on any other OS.

=Gecko=

{{Main article|Gecko (software)| l1=Gecko}}

Gecko is the web browser engine of Firefox OS. Gecko implements open standards for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Gecko includes a networking stack, graphics stack, layout engine, virtual machine (for JavaScript), and porting layers.

=Gaia=

Gaia was the user interface of Firefox OS and controlled everything drawn to the screen. Gaia included by default implementations of a lock screen, home screen, telephone dialer and contacts application, text-messaging application, camera application and gallery support, plus the classic phone apps: mail, calendar, calculator and marketplace. Gaia was written entirely in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It interfaced with the operating system through Open Web APIs, which were implemented by Gecko. Because it used only standard web APIs, it could work on other OSes and other web browsers.

Release history

{{Update section|date=May 2017}}

File:Alcatel One Touch Fire E-startup VNr°0009.webm One Touch Fire E]]

class="wikitable"
Version{{cite web|title=Release Management/B2G Landing - MozillaWiki|url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/Release_Management/B2G_Landing#Versions_and_Scheduling|publisher=MozillaWiki|access-date=July 23, 2015|archive-date=August 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830133748/https://wiki.mozilla.org/Release_Management/B2G_Landing#Versions_and_Scheduling|url-status=live}}First build createdFeature complete (FC) date{{cite web|url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G/Roadmap#Feature_Complete_Dates%7ctitle=B2G/Roadmap%7cwork=mozilla.org|title=B2G/Roadmap|access-date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=August 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802120545/https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G/Roadmap#Feature_Complete_Dates%7ctitle=B2G/Roadmap%7cwork=mozilla.org|url-status=live}}Code complete (CC) date{{cite web|url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/Release_Management/B2G_Landing#Versions_and_Scheduling|title=Release Management/B2G Landing|work=mozilla.org|access-date=November 29, 2013|archive-date=August 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830133748/https://wiki.mozilla.org/Release_Management/B2G_Landing#Versions_and_Scheduling|url-status=live}}Release date{{cite web |title=Index of /pub/mozilla.org/b2g/manifests/ |url=https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/b2g/manifests/nightly/ |publisher=Mozilla FTP server |access-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105072601/http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/b2g/manifests/nightly/ |url-status=live }}CodenameGecko versionIncluded security fixesEnd of life
1.0August 14, 2012December 22, 2012February 21, 2013TEFGecko 18Gecko 18February 21, 2013
1.0.1January 25, 2013September 6, 2013ShiraGecko 18Gecko 20September 6, 2013
1.1.0February 20, 2013March 29, 2013October 9, 2013{{cite web |title=Firefox OS Update (1.1) Adds New Features, Performance Improvements and Additional Language Support | Future Releases |date=October 9, 2013 |url=https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2013/10/09/firefox-os-update-1-1-adds-new-features-performance-improvements-and-additional-language-support/ |publisher=Mozilla |access-date=October 10, 2013 |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009105054/http://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2013/10/09/firefox-os-update-1-1-adds-new-features-performance-improvements-and-additional-language-support/ |url-status=live }}LeoGecko 18+ (new APIs)Gecko 23May 27, 2014
1.1.1August 24, 2013HDGecko 18+ (new APIs)Gecko 23May 27, 2014
1.2.0June 21, 2013September 15, 2013December 9, 2013KoiGecko 26{{cite web|url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/Platform/2013-10-01#Notices.2FSchedule_.28akeybl.2Flsblakk.2Fbajaj.29%7ctitle=Platform/2013-10-01%7cwork=mozilla.org|title=Platform/2013-10-01|access-date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=September 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904154111/https://wiki.mozilla.org/Platform/2013-10-01#Notices.2FSchedule_.28akeybl.2Flsblakk.2Fbajaj.29%7ctitle=Platform/2013-10-01%7cwork=mozilla.org|url-status=live}}Gecko 26June 9, 2014
1.2.1December 4, 2013Gecko 26Gecko 26December 17, 2013
1.3.0September 17, 2013January 31, 2014March 17, 2014Gecko 28Gecko 28September 4, 2014
1.3.0tApril 8, 2014Gecko 28Gecko 28December 19, 2014
1.4.0December 10, 2013April 25, 2014June 9, 2014August 8, 2014Gecko 30Gecko 30May 14, 2015
1.5.0March 17, 2014April 14, 2014
2.0.0February 21, 2013July 21, 2014September 1, 2014Gecko 32Gecko 32July 23, 2015
2.1.0June 9, 2014October 13, 2014November 21, 2014Gecko 34Gecko 34July 23, 2015
2.2.0September 2, 2014April 29, 2015June 8, 2015August 20, 2015Gecko 37Gecko 37
2.5.0January 12, 2015November 2, 2015 (planned)January 4, 2016 (planned)Gecko 44Gecko 44
2.6.0October 30, 2015

| Spark v0.1

April 15, 2015June 22, 2015SparkLatest

Forks

Panasonic continues to develop the operating system for use in their Smart TVs, which run My Home Screen, powered by the Firefox OS.{{cite web| url= http://www.t3.com/features/t3-smackdown-sony-kd-65zd9-vs-lg-oled65e6-vs-panasonic-tx-58dx802b| title= T3 Smackdown: Sony KD-65ZD9 vs LG OLED65E6 vs Panasonic TX58DX802B| date= January 2, 2017| access-date= April 26, 2017| archive-date= May 6, 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170506054625/http://www.t3.com/features/t3-smackdown-sony-kd-65zd9-vs-lg-oled65e6-vs-panasonic-tx-58dx802b| url-status= live}}

Acadine Technologies has derived their H5OS from Firefox OS as well. Li Gong, the founder of the company, had overseen the development of Firefox OS while serving as president of Mozilla Corporation.{{Cite web|url = http://www.cnet.com/news/startup-acadine-picks-up-the-torch-for-mozillas-troubled-firefox-os/|title = Startup picks up the torch for troubled Firefox OS|last = Shankland|first = Stephen|date = December 10, 2015|website = CNET|access-date = December 12, 2015|archive-date = July 17, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180717153518/https://www.cnet.com/news/startup-acadine-picks-up-the-torch-for-mozillas-troubled-firefox-os/|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|title = Ex-Mozilla employees are teaming up with the Chinese government to kill Android|url = http://qz.com/455577/ex-mozilla-employees-are-teaming-up-with-the-chinese-government-to-kill-android/|website = Quartz|access-date = December 12, 2015|last = Horwitz|first = Josh|date = July 16, 2015|archive-date = December 22, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222154345/http://qz.com/455577/ex-mozilla-employees-are-teaming-up-with-the-chinese-government-to-kill-android/|url-status = live}}

A fork called KaiOS has been used on a few feature phones, including Alcatel's OneTouch Go Flip{{cite web|url=http://www.alcatelonetouch.ca/alcatel-go-flip#additional|title=Alcatel GO FLIP™|date=June 16, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918154636/https://www.alcatelonetouch.ca/alcatel-go-flip/#additional|url-status=live}} (known as Cingular Flip 2 on AT&T{{cite web|url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/ATT-Cingular-Flip-2-price-features_id95434|title=The Cingular Flip 2 is AT&T's newest clamshell phone|date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=October 22, 2017|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202133919/https://www.phonearena.com/news/ATT-Cingular-Flip-2-price-features_id95434|url-status=live}}), Reliance Jio's JioPhone (LYF F30C),{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/mobile-tabs/reliance-jio-lyf-4g-volte-feature-phone-to-come-with-kaios-and-everything-else-we-know-4759916/|title=Reliance Jio LYF 4G VoLTE feature phone: To run KaiOS, will have an app store too|date=July 20, 2017|access-date=July 23, 2017|archive-date=July 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720163428/http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/mobile-tabs/reliance-jio-lyf-4g-volte-feature-phone-to-come-with-kaios-and-everything-else-we-know-4759916/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://techpp.com/2017/07/13/reliance-jio-4g-volte-feature-phone/|title=[Exclusive] Reliance Jio and Lyf's 4G VoLTE Feature Phone|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125173259/https://techpp.com/2017/07/13/reliance-jio-4g-volte-feature-phone/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jio.com/en-in/book-jio-phone|title=Jio Phone Booking - Pre Book Jio Mobile Online for 500 Only - Jio|website=www.jio.com|access-date=October 22, 2017|archive-date=July 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719203925/https://www.jio.com/en-in/book-jio-phone|url-status=live}} and Intex's Turbo+ 4G.{{cite web|url=http://mobilityindia.com/intex-unveils-4g-volte-feature-phone/|title=Intex Unveils 4G-Volte Feature Phone|date=August 1, 2017|publisher=Mobility India|access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-date=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100417/http://mobilityindia.com/intex-unveils-4g-volte-feature-phone/|url-status=live}} The system brings support for 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, and HTML5-based apps onto non-touch devices with an optimized user interface, less memory usage, and longer battery life.{{cite web|url=http://mobilestudio.co.in/kaios-heres-everything-know-operating-system-available-jiophone/|title=KaiOS, Here's everything you should know about the operating system available in JioPhone|date=August 24, 2017|work=Mobile Studio|access-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106174516/http://mobilestudio.co.in/kaios-heres-everything-know-operating-system-available-jiophone/|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=dead}}

= B2G OS =

{{Infobox OS

| developer = Mozilla community{{Cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS|title=B2G OS|website=MDN Web Docs|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430045809/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Firefox_OS|url-status=dead}}

| family = Firefox OS/Open Web (based on Linux kernel)

| website = {{URL|https://github.com/mozilla-b2g/B2G}}

| name = B2G OS

| working_state = Inactive

}}

B2G OS (Boot 2 Gecko) was a community-developed mobile operating system, and the successor to Firefox OS. It follows the Firefox OS goal of providing a complete, community-based alternative operating system, that runs software as web applications. Its mobile apps therefore use open web standards and programming languages such as JavaScript and HTML5, a robust privilege model, and open web APIs that can communicate directly with the device's hardware.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

It is now the basis of KaiOS{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/06/28/kaios_google_investment/|title=Google leaps on the platform formerly known as Firefox with $22m splurge for KaiOS|first=Andrew|last=Orlowski|date=June 28, 2018|website=www.theregister.co.uk|language=en|access-date=January 25, 2019|archive-date=January 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125183631/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/06/28/kaios_google_investment/|url-status=live}} which has (as of January 2019) over 17 percent of the Indian mobile phone market and is the third most popular phone OS. KaiOS is closed-source.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

==History==

B2G OS was forked from Firefox OS following Mozilla's decision to discontinue support for their mobile operating system.{{Cite web|url=https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/firefox-os-connected-devices-announcement/6864|title=Firefox OS/Connected Devices Announcement|date=February 4, 2016|website=Mozilla Discourse|access-date=March 23, 2020|archive-date=March 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310044255/https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/firefox-os-connected-devices-announcement/6864|url-status=live}} The decision was made, according to Ari Jaaksi and David Bryant, in order to "evolve quickly and enable substantial new architectural changes in Gecko, Mozilla’s Platform Engineering organization needs to remove all B2G-related code from mozilla-central."{{Cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=B2G-Dropping-From-Moz-Central|title=Boot 2 Gecko Being Stripped From Mozilla's Codebase - Phoronix|website=www.phoronix.com|language=en|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702233227/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=B2G-Dropping-From-Moz-Central|url-status=live}}

{{As of|2017}}, B2G OS is no longer maintained.

= Capyloon =

{{Infobox OS

| developer = Capyloon community {{URL|https://github.com/capyloon}}

| family = Firefox OS/Open Web (based on Linux kernel)

| website = {{URL|https://capyloon.org}}

| repo = {{URL|https://github.com/capyloon/B2G}}

| name = Capyloon

| working_state = Current

}}

Capyloon is a modern fork of Firefox OS started in 2022 which additionally makes use of decentralized web technologies such as IPFS.

Builds are available for Pixel 3a and Pixel 6a devices, as well as GSI images for Android 10 based devices. Linux mobile devices such as the PinePhone, PinePhone Pro and Librem 5 are also supported.{{Cite web |title=Capyloon mobile Web-based OS works on Pinephone Pro, Librem 5, Pixel 3a |url=https://www.cnx-software.com/2022/03/26/capyloon-mobile-web-based-os-works-on-pinephone-pro-librem-5-pixel-3a/ |author=Jean-Luc Aufranc |date=March 26, 2022 |access-date=June 25, 2024}}

Comparison with Android

Firefox OS used the Linux kernel like Android does. Firefox OS used the Gecko engine on top of the Linux kernel to render the screen output. Apps were written using HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript—all three being cooperative languages used in making internet webpages. In essence, apps on Firefox OS were web apps and the OS could be thought of as a Web browser that stored content off-line. On the other hand, Android's apps are coded in Java using Android Studio. Android also enjoys greater maturity and support. Despite these differences, Firefox OS did feature all the essentials required to use a smartphone.{{Cite web|title = Fox Chase » Linux Magazine|url = http://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2014/159/Firefox-OS-vs.-Android|website = Linux Magazine|access-date = January 10, 2016|archive-date = January 25, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160125090738/http://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2014/159/Firefox-OS-vs.-Android|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|title = Firefox OS Shows Continued Global Growth|url = https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/10/09/firefox-os-shows-continued-global-growth/|website = The Mozilla Blog|access-date = January 10, 2016|archive-date = December 5, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151205115226/https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/10/09/firefox-os-shows-continued-global-growth/|url-status = live}} Firefox launched its first official device in Germany in 2014, which was an Alcatel One Touch Fire. The device had a 3.5” HVGA screen, Cortex A5 processor, 256MB RAM, and 512MB storage. {{As of|December 2015}}, Mozilla had launched 12 smartphones across 24 countries.{{Cite web|title = Firefox OS Shows Continued Global Growth|url = https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/10/09/firefox-os-shows-continued-global-growth|website = The Mozilla Blog|access-date = January 10, 2016|archive-date = December 5, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151205115226/https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/10/09/firefox-os-shows-continued-global-growth/|url-status = live}}

Criticisms

Chris Ziegler of the technology website The Verge wrote that Firefox OS would take app distribution back to the pre-iPhone era, requiring application developers to deal with multiple carriers and their app stores.{{cite web |author=Chris Ziegler |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/27/4031362/firefox-os-mozilla-gets-a-little-dirty-to-clean-the-mobile-web |title=With Firefox OS, Mozilla gets a little dirty to clean the mobile web |publisher=The Verge |date=February 27, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511101146/http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/27/4031362/firefox-os-mozilla-gets-a-little-dirty-to-clean-the-mobile-web |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Chris Ziegler |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/28/4039320/certified-powered-by-firefox-os-devices-require-firefox-marketplace |title=Certified 'Powered by Firefox OS' devices require Firefox Marketplace, minimum hardware specs |publisher=The Verge |date=February 28, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525011656/http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/28/4039320/certified-powered-by-firefox-os-devices-require-firefox-marketplace |url-status=live }} At the Mobile World Congress, Mozilla's CEO Gary Kovacs said that Firefox OS has the advantage that users need not install an app to use it. Mozilla sought to make the most of this with the search functionality built into Firefox OS, a core feature of the platform.{{cite web | last=Parfeni | first=Lucian | title=Mozilla Explains Why Firefox OS Apps Are Fundamentally Better than Native Mobile Apps | website=softpedia | date=February 25, 2013 | url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/Mozilla-Explains-Why-Firefox-OS-Apps-Are-Fundamentally-Better-than-Native-Mobile-Apps-332247.shtml | access-date=April 7, 2019 | archive-date=April 7, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407142545/https://news.softpedia.com/news/Mozilla-Explains-Why-Firefox-OS-Apps-Are-Fundamentally-Better-than-Native-Mobile-Apps-332247.shtml | url-status=live }}

Janne Lindqvist, a mobile security researcher at the Rutgers University WINLAB, expressed concern about the discovery mechanism of a Web-based platform, but a Mozilla spokesperson stated that Mozilla required developers to "package downloadable apps in a zip file that has been cryptographically signed by the store from which it originated, assuring that it has been reviewed." In addition, "apps coming back from search are given only limited access to device programming interfaces and applications, unless the user grants permission for further access."{{cite web |last=Talbot |first=David |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/news/511706/mozillas-mobile-firefox-os-raises-security-questions/ |title=Security Researchers Raise Questions on How Mozilla's Web-Centric Firefox Mobile OS Will Stop Malicious Web Apps | MIT Technology Review |publisher=Technologyreview.com |date=February 28, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511014033/http://www.technologyreview.com/news/511706/mozillas-mobile-firefox-os-raises-security-questions/ |url-status=live }}

Ben Francis, an engineer on the Boot to Gecko and Firefox OS projects, described the changes in direction of the project from open web technologies for app development, to cheap smartphones, to connected devices; and how evaluation of its success was reduced to its market share as a third smartphone platform (after Android and iOS).{{cite web |last=Francis |first=Ben |url=https://medium.com/@bfrancis/the-story-of-firefox-os-cb5bf796e8fb |title=The Story of Firefox OS |website=Medium |date=March 3, 2017 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116041002/https://medium.com/@bfrancis/the-story-of-firefox-os-cb5bf796e8fb |url-status=live }}

Devices

{{Main article|Comparison of Firefox OS devices}}

=Officially and unofficially supported devices=

The structural similarities between Firefox OS and Android allow the Mozilla platform to run on a number of devices that ship with Android. While some ports of Firefox OS are hardly different from their original versions, others are heavily modified to fit the device in question. There are quite a few to note that are specifically made for Firefox OS as stated above. There are some that are designed for the developers themselves and others that are consumer-phones. There are also emulators for testing both apps and the OS itself on the desktop which are designed for both OS testing and the developers themselves.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Firefox OS specific devices for developers:

  • Geeksphone Keon{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Geeksphone|title=Geeksphone|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214072351/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Geeksphone|url-status=dead}}
  • Geeksphone Peak
  • T2Mobile Flame{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Flame|title=Flame|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214081749/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Flame|url-status=dead}}
  • ZTE Open{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/ZTE_OPEN|title=ZTE Open - Mozilla|access-date=August 27, 2015|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904060150/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/ZTE_OPEN|url-status=dead}}
  • ZTE Open C{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/ZTE_OPEN_C|title=ZTE Open C - Mozilla|access-date=August 27, 2015|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906083719/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/ZTE_OPEN_C|url-status=dead}}

Firefox OS specific devices for consumers:

  • Alcatel Onetouch FireC 4020D{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Alcatel_Onetouch_FireC_4020D|title=Alcatel Onetouch Fire C 4020D|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214071627/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Alcatel_Onetouch_FireC_4020D|url-status=dead}}
  • Alcatel Onetouch Fire E (6015X)
  • APC Paper{{cite web|url=http://apc.io/products/paper|title=APC » Paper|work=apc.io|access-date=March 22, 2015|archive-date=January 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120094627/http://apc.io/products/paper/|url-status=live}}
  • Cherry Mobile Ace{{cite web|title=Cherry Mobile Ace Specs|url=http://www.cherrymobile.com.ph/view/ace-firefox|website=CherryMobile.com|access-date=September 19, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  • Intex Cloud FX{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Intex_Cloud_FX|title=Intex Cloud FX|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214081725/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Intex_Cloud_FX|url-status=dead}}
  • KDDI Fx0{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Fx0|title=Fx0|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214074157/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Fx0|url-status=dead}}
  • Spice Fire One MI FX1{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Spice_Fire_One_MI_FX1|title=Spice Fire One MI FX1|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214072006/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Spice_Fire_One_MI_FX1|url-status=dead}}
  • Spice Fire One Mi-FX 2{{cite web | title=Spice Fire One Mi-FX 2 Firefox OS smartphone launched for Rs. 2,799 | website=tech4me.in | date=May 14, 2015 | url=http://www.tech4me.in/spice-fire-one-mi-fx-2-firefox-os-smartphone/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201232319/http://www.tech4me.in/spice-fire-one-mi-fx-2-firefox-os-smartphone/ | archive-date=February 1, 2017 | url-status=dead | access-date=April 7, 2019}}
  • Symphony GoFox F15{{cite web|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Symphony_GoFox_F15|title=Symphony GoFox F15|work=Mozilla Developer Network|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214074359/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Phone_guide/Symphony_GoFox_F15|url-status=dead}}
  • Zen 105 Firefox
  • ZTE Open II

Firefox OS has been ported to the following devices:

  • Fairphone 2{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • HTC Explorer{{cite web|last=HTC Pico/Explorer unofficial port|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2197319/|title=[B2G][FIREFOX OS] For HTC Explorer| date=March 19, 2013 |access-date=November 6, 2014|archive-date=November 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106184050/http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2197319%2F|url-status=live}}
  • Huawei Ascend G510
  • Huawei Ascend Y300{{cite web|url = http://www.modaco.com/topic/371614-romdragonsphere-teamb2ghtml5no-androidfirefox-os-oficial-buildb009new-updateflasheableapn-fix/|title = [ROM][Dragonsphere Team][B2G][HTML5][NO ANDROID]Firefox OS [OFICIAL BUILD][B009](NEW UPDATE:Flasheable+APN FIX)|date = April 11, 2014|access-date = January 23, 2015|website = MoDaCo|archive-date = April 12, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140412165502/http://www.modaco.com/topic/371614-romdragonsphere-teamb2ghtml5no-androidfirefox-os-oficial-buildb009new-updateflasheableapn-fix/|url-status = live}}
  • Ingenic JZ4780 based devices (2015){{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/firefox-mozilla-imagination-technologies-mips,28805.html|title=Experimental Firefox OS Build Can Run On MIPS Hardware|author=Kevin Parrish|work=Tom's Hardware|date=March 23, 2015|access-date=April 3, 2015|archive-date=March 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325191345/http://www.tomshardware.com/news/firefox-mozilla-imagination-technologies-mips,28805.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://blog.imgtec.com/powervr/firefox-os-now-running-on-a-mips-based-reference-tablet|title=Firefox OS now running on a MIPS-based reference tablet|work=Imagination Blog|access-date=April 3, 2015|archive-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909200827/http://blog.imgtec.com/powervr/firefox-os-now-running-on-a-mips-based-reference-tablet|url-status=dead}}
  • Moto G{{Cite web|title = Moto G - Firefox OS Central|url = http://firefoxoscentral.com/ports/moto-g/|access-date = September 30, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151002050625/http://firefoxoscentral.com/ports/moto-g/|archive-date = October 2, 2015|df = mdy-all}}
  • Nexus 4{{cite web|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/general/june-09-firefoxos-nexus-4-1-1-2-0-t2388237|title=[October 27] FirefoxOS (nexus 4) 1.1 - 2.2 -… - Google Nexus 4 - XDA Forums|work=XDA Developers|date=August 2013 |access-date=December 6, 2014|archive-date=December 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211031706/http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/general/june-09-firefoxos-nexus-4-1-1-2-0-t2388237|url-status=live}}
  • Nexus 5{{cite web|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development/b2g-firefox-os-nightlies-t2730874|title=[B2G] FireFox OS - Nightlies [11/Jun/2014]|work=XDA Developers|date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=December 6, 2014|archive-date=December 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211025827/http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development/b2g-firefox-os-nightlies-t2730874|url-status=live}}
  • Nexus 7 (2013){{cite web|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2479192|title=[ROM][OCT 11] FirefoxOS 1.2 and 1.3|work=XDA Developers|date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=December 6, 2014|archive-date=December 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211030957/http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2479192|url-status=live}}
  • Xiaomi Redmi 1S{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Samsung Galaxy S2{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia E3{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia M2{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia SP{{cite web|title=Firefox OS on SP|url=http://fxpblog.co/firefoxos/testing-firefox-os-on-sony-xperia-sp/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140811210617/http://fxpblog.co/firefoxos/testing-firefox-os-on-sony-xperia-sp/|archive-date=August 11, 2014}}
  • Sony Xperia T2 Ultra{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia T3{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia Z1{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia Z2{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia Z3{{Cite web|title = Firefox OS Port For Sony Devices|url = http://firefoxoscentral.com/ports/sony-devices/|access-date = September 30, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151002064235/http://firefoxoscentral.com/ports/sony-devices/|archive-date = October 2, 2015|df = mdy-all}}
  • Sony Xperia Z3 Compact{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • Wileyfox Swift{{cite web|title=Compatible Devices|url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201026140633/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Archive/B2G_OS/Building_and_installing_B2G_OS/Compatible_Devices|archive-date=October 26, 2020}}
  • ZTE Blade III{{cite web|title=Firefox OS - B2G for ZTE Blade III |url=https://konstakang.com/devices/atlas40/FirefoxOS/|url-status=|website=konstakang.com|author=KonstaKang|date=May 21, 2014|access-date=May 19, 2025}}
  • ZTE Kis3/Kis III{{cite web|title=CAF Firefox OS - B2Gfor ZTE Open C / Kis3 |url=https://konstakang.com/devices/kis3/FirefoxOS/|url-status=|website=konstakang.com|author=KonstaKang|date=August 2, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2025}}

There is also non-compiled source code of B2G firmware for Sony Xperia E (C1505/C1506) on Sony servers. {{cite web|title=Open source archive for experimental Firefox OS build for Xperia E|url=https://developer.sony.com/file/download/open-source-archive-for-experimental-firefox-os-build-for-xperia-e|url-status=|website=developer.sony.com|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=May 19, 2025}}

In earlier versions of Sony EMMA software you could download precompiled firmware, but nowadays it's impossible to do it as the software no longer supports this phone and probably the .FTF files needed to flash were deleted from Sony's servers {{cite web|title=Supported devices and functionality|url=https://developer.sony.com/supported-devices-and-functionality|url-status=|website=developer.sony.com|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=May 19, 2025}}

See also

{{Portal bar|Free and open-source software|Linux}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

{{Commons category|Firefox OS}}

  • {{Official website}}

{{Mozilla projects}}

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