Mozilla Announces Firefox OS at WMC 2013

Mozialla Foundation, the organization that has created the popular browser Firefox, has announced the launch of their open source (OS) operating system at the World Mobile Congress (2013). It is the end result of a project announced by Dr. Andreas Gal on 25th July 2011 to make open Web technologies the base for all future applications including mobile devices and PCs. Called as Firefox OS or B2G (since it is developed by Mozilla's Boot to Gecko project), this OS is specifically developed for mobile devices.

Why develop a new OS when the Android is running strong, and is available for free too? Gary Kovacs, the CEO of Mozilla thinks that Firefox OS will bring the freedom and unbounded innovation of the open web to mobile users everywhere. He believes that the strong community support for Mozilla will level the playing field, and meet the diverse needs of people who plan to go online.

Technology Behind Firefox OS
Firefox OS is a Linux based system. Once a device with this OS is turned on, execution starts in the primary boot loader. The next process of loading the main OS kernel is handled in the traditional way, and the final execution is handed over to the Linux kernel. In developing this OS, Firefox has firmly embraced HTML5 open Web standards. Every feature that will be developed will be an HTML5 application. Web apps access every underlying capability of the device, bypassing the typical hindrances of HTML5 on mobile to deliver substantial performance. Since the platform is much flexible, it will allow carriers to easily customize the interface and develop localized services. In essence, it tries to eliminate the middleware layers.
Firefox OS is thus meant to run web apps directly, making the OS kind of vendor independent.
 
Will Firefox OS succeed?
Of course, it is too early to predict if Firefox OS will be successful. As of March 2013, only three companies have launched three models with this OS, though 17 companies have pledged support to it. It is very clear that Firefox first wants to target the low end (entry level) market with the launch of this no frills OS. The first phones using the Firefox OS are all powered by Qualcomm processors and are being offered by Alcatel One Touch, LG Electronics and ZTE. Huawei Technologies and Sony are soon expected to follow suit. Since countries like India, Indonesia and China have abundant Android based mobile devices, the strategy of Mozilla seems to be to concentrate on other emerging markets like Brazil and other Asian countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, where the penetration of mobile phones is less. Whether Firefox OS succeeds or not will depend upon how well the community supports the HTML5 standards that Firefox has embraced.