Mozilla, Foxconn Confirm Firefox OS Partnership 65
hypnosec writes "Mozilla has confirmed reports that indicated a probable collaboration with Foxconn for development of Firefox OS based devices. Announcing the 'wide ranging partnership' with Foxconn, Mozilla's SVP of Mobile Devices noted in a blog post that collaboration between the two companies 'demonstrates the full potential of Firefox OS,' and it would not only enable the smartphone 'but also a wide range of mobile devices.'"
Browser/OS (Score:3, Interesting)
I suppose this means that Opera is that now the only one of the Big Five browsers that doesn't also have an OS (or several)
Who is the market? (Score:4, Interesting)
Who is the market for Firefox OS? Current smartphone users? People who can't afford high-power equipment (e.g., in developing economies)?
I love the idea of an FOSS mobile device OS designed for end-user control, but I'm not sure if Mozilla is designing it for my needs, or how they plan to get market share.
Re: Who is the market? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Who is the market? (Score:5, Interesting)
people who like to compile their own software from source code... that is their target market.
There are two models, ones lower powered, ones higher end. So, what about folks who want to use the same app on their desktop as on their phone? It's HTML5. That means THE EXACT SAME development time I put in to make that web app, or HTML5 game can be leveraged both on the web, and with little or no effort (a manifest file and zipped directory) I can sell that app for Firefox OS -- Remove the damn ads. (Because you chuckle heads won't pay for an app available through a browser, but put the same code in an app store, all of a sudden 99 cents isn't a bad price for no ads... grr). Here's the interesting thing. My HTML5 apps / games have tools built in HTML5. That means my engine dev kit can be used ON THE PHONE. That means you can use your mobile device TO MAKE MONEY by creating apps that your can use on the moble OR on the Desktop.
Look at iOS, Android, Blackberry....... What's the one thing a PC can do that these devices can not do? MAKE SOFTWARE. "compile their own source code" -- You Fool! How do you think you're able to render this page, hu?! YOU COMPLIED AND RAN THE SOURCE CODE.
Re:Who is the market? (Score:4, Interesting)
You actually have it wrong.
There are over 6 billion phone users in the world and only 1 billion smartphone users.
There is a lot more markets that smartphones can expend to.
That is why Mozilla and their partners are talking about markets like Brazil and India.
Re:Who is the market? (Score:4, Interesting)
Here's my possible use-case for it:
I have a Nexus 7. That's what I use for apps, email and games 95% of the time. It's light and portable, the screen is large enough to see clearly with my middle-aged eyes, and I can at least write shorter emails and stuff on it.
My Android phone, on the other hand, is mostly for receiving notifications, reading the occasional message and, now and again, making phone calls. It also acts as my tether for the N7 when I don't have other connectivity. Very occasionally I can't bring the N7 for whatever reason, and then it temporarily doubles up as my primary device; I don't expect or want to use it for everything the N7 does, as it's too frustrating and painful.
So what I would want is a companion phone. Reasonably small, so I can bring it everywhere I can't bring a tablet; and quite cheap (so I don't have to worry about dropping it or anything). It does _not_ have to do everything the N7 does. And in fact, all the critical things for me are already available as online web apps; I could live quite comfortably using only the browser interface for such a backup device even if there were no native apps at all.
It would ideally be ~3.5-4", splash and impact resistant, largish battery, and be able to offer tethering with Wifi. Actual performance specs, memory and so on really is less important. to me.
Re:In other words... (Score:4, Interesting)
Mozilla will purchase some computer devices from OEM supplier Foxconn, load Mozilla OS on them and make them available for resale.
More likely the other way around: Foxconn, the much bigger of the two, will use Firefox OS as a stepping stone to learn how to make their own OS in an attempt to integrate more of the value chain into their company.
Everyone's missing the most interesting part! (Score:4, Interesting)
Dr. Li Gong, SVP of Mobile Devices, President of Asia Operations, and CEO of Mozilla Taiwan (cited in the press announcement) also posted on his blog about the partnership. https://blog.mozilla.org/ligong/2013/06/03/foxconn-joins-the-firefox-os-eco-system/ [mozilla.org]
This line in particular stuck out to me.
Foxconn stated that they intend to have FFOS running on all categories of the “8 screen” devices, from smartphone to tablets to laptops to TVs and outdoor signage.
Laptops, TVs and outdoor signage? Ambitious plans.