In the latter part of 2011 rumors surfaced the internet about Mozilla’s own operating system based on Firefox Browser which was set to bring web applications to mobile handsets through a Linux based os. In this article we look at the success story of Firefox OS.



Pre (Before) Lunch

Before lunch the rumors kept spreading , the most fun thing about the rumors on the technical side was an operating system built on Firefox Browser and how it provided an avenue for web developers to develop mobile phones. Partners that were rumored to to have been involved with Mozilla in this venture , included Sony, LG, ZTE, Alcatel and Telefonica. During this time other operating systems were waiting to see if Firefox is was going to be a shaker or mover in the industry.

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 – in every way – the equals of native apps built for the iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone 7. “Firefox OS was publicly demonstrated in February 2012, on Android-compatible smartphones.

Lunch

The rumors looked true and some progress was made, the waited to catch a glimpse of Firefox OS and at CES 2013, Firefox OS hit the world with a version that wasn’t ready but was a delight to see.

In January 2013, at CES 2013 , ZTE confirmed they would be shipping a smartphone with Firefox OS, [11] and on July 2,2013, Telefónica launched the first commercial Firefox OS based phone, ZTE Open , in Spain which was quickly followed by GeeksPhone ‘s Peak+ .

Mozilla has also partnered with T2Mobile to make a Firefox OS reference phone Flame which is designed for developers to contribute to Firefox OS and to test apps.

After (Post) Lunch

Here we were, Firefox OS was lunched and hype continued to build, then problems came in, unavailability of big apps such as What’s App , Telegram were red flags raised by the tech community raised. These issues brought out innovation from developers some of these apps include Connect A2 , Telegram (An unofficial Telegram client) which filled the gap.

Issues on deficiencies in the functionality of the operating system also came up. The biggest of them all was the unavailability of copy and paste. The tech community also lashed out at the lack of competition and innovation in the ecosystem. This saw ZTE and Alcatel then step up their game to profuse different markets. Mozilla realising new versions of the operating system to fix bugs and improve functionality.Version 1.2.0 in September 2013 and version 1.2.1 in December 2013.

Maturity

Maturity is how I will describe this period of time not growth because growth is still going on. In this period of time Firefox OS saw better services an improved simulator which allowed developers to test new versions of the operatiang system. During this time application development increased. Firefox OS savaged 5% market share in Spain. The operating system was lunched in new markets. The os also saw a new version being announced which brought a design overhaul and new functionality.

Big Change

This period is betgrween late 2014 to early 2015. As 201b4 was coming to and end, 2014 did not look like such a great year for Firefox OS.

Out of no where rumors of the LG L25 and LG FX0 surfaced .The LG FX0 was lunched. And behold it was a stunner, the world’s first all transparent device. Momentum continued as we entered the new year, CES 2015 passed with a few devices being lunched. But the Big Change before, and after MWC 2015.

Before MWC 2015: Mozilla confirmed a new partnership to bring Firefox OS to your living room via your television that was a very Big Change. Mozilla also went ahead to tease Firefox os running on smartwatches and washing machines.

During MWC 2015: MWC 2015 was a blast for Firefox OS, the world had its hands on HomeScreen UI (Firefox OS tv’s). A partnership with Orange to bring Firefox OS to Africa, The announcement of the ZTE Open L and The Runcible. It was an amazing event for Firefox OS.

After MWC 2015: After MWC 2015, Mozilla continued the fight by lunching Firefox OS for the first time in South Africa, then in Madagascar and Senegal. More is set to happen after a new deal with

Tigo and Airtel for the African Invasion.

The Future

Firefox OS is set to move forward into the tablet market , the future also holds the commercial availability of Firefox OS powered Panasonic TV’s. Firefox OS is set to move to your wrist and more. The future also looks bright with a 2016 projections. The Africa Invasion will continue apart from the countries mentioned in the Orange deal new countries including Nigeria has been added to the list.

The journey for Firefox OS has not been smooth but Mozilla is doing her best. The future looks good and bright.

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