Technology Media Android Authority writer Robert Terry Rodriguez (Robert Triggs) said: I am a supporter of open source, I think the Firefox OS fledgling, but full of potential, may give the mobile operating system space with to great changes. Let us in-depth discussions about the potential of the Firefox OS:
Mozilla 's vision
Firefox OS's goal is not to compete for the top spot of the mobile phone world with the Galaxy S4, HTC One, Nexus 4 or iPhone 5, but cheap to replace those still flooded with a large number of emerging market obsolete phone, smart phone with Internet access. By today's standards, the old section of Sony Ericsson clamshell Motorola phone to open the Web pressure is too big, you must admit.
Firefox hope that through the use of Web standards such as CSS, HTML5 and Java, make you relaxed and happy to access the Web. Obviously, Mozilla Chrome OS draw some inspiration: through a Web browser instead of through the main operating system to load the application. You can think of it as some kind of "compatibility layer", in this case, the application functions independently of the operating system.
As usual, Firefox needs to be done is open source, developers freed from theconstraints imposed on them by Apple and Microsoft, while not like the Android ecosystem fragmentation of.
This will attract application developers flock to the platform. In fact, the field of HTML5 and Java has a lot of mobile developers. This will undoubtedly be the decision Mozilla's operating system ability to obtain a critical success factor.
Hardware
Firefox as a fledgling platform, the biggest advantage is its low price (for consumers), and like Android manufacturers are also no need to pay the license fee. As you may have heard, Firefox OS can run perfectly on 256MB of RAM and cheap 1GHz single-core processor, Android Jelly Bean need at least 320MB of RAM - Firefox OS mobile phone hardware prices can be very cheap.
Cheapest "Developer Edition" Firefox OS phone, called Keno, it is equipped with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 processor, 512MB of RAM, a 3.5-inch screen, support for common 3G network. The price is only $ 119 (about 730 yuan), and this is when the price of the "Developer Edition", the final version of Keno memory may be smaller point, the price will be cheaper.
(Figure: GeeksPhone Keon and Peak "Developer Edition" phone in record time sold out, which reflects the strong interest of the development of Firefox OS's.)
Moreover, when the manufacturing processes continue to improve, continue to improve yield, cost of production will be getting lower and lower hardware prices to fall in the next year or two.
Software
If the hardware is reasonably priced, Firefox OS promising occupy a considerable market share in the low-cost handset market. Of course, manufacturers using Android do not need to spend money, but Firefox's appeal lies in several respects.
For example, a very low-end Android phones can not be upgraded to the new version, but do not have this problem in Firefox OS
As has become very convenient to use Web standards, upgrade to the new version, new features, the same way as with upgrade Chrome, Firefox or Safari browser are substantially the same. This can put an end to the "fragmentation" of the hardware status.
(Figure: Firefox OS users will not lag behind because the hardware using an outdated OS version, do not sit and watch others use the new features and does not take.)
Secondly, as already mentioned, Firefox OS will run Web-based languages (such as HTML5 or Java), which is the key to flexibility. Essentially, as long as your phone is configured enough to run these Web API, you do not have to worry about the change of the operating system or hardware specifications. Developers can create and update applications and functions to cope with popular Web technologies and Web technology is not particularly dependent on the OS and hardware.
Of course, such applications running on different hardware specifications performance differences also exist, but for low-end consumer hardware, games or 3D application is not too important. These consumers are more interested in the Internet and social functions, rather than 4k video output.
If you are experiencing network signal is not so good, you can not connect to the Web when it? The Firefox OS also allows users to install the application. You install the application can still work offline. This is a very important feature when roaming.
Currently, consumers in emerging markets are still using the older Android phones, many of which are still running Gingerbread version - some even greater limitations of the operating system, such as Nokia 's Symbian. These platforms are outdated, some application developers are no longer supported platforms. Since many people can not enjoy jelly beans, iOS and compatible software, so the price is cheap, Internet phone has enough space for development.
Web applications, the way of the future?
I think the Firefox OS has the greatest influence may be in here. We've already discussed, Mozilla is likely to attract a large user base, and as the user base grows, software developers will have come to this platform to sell their products.
Recall that every day you how to use smart phones: at work, you need to check e-mail from time to time, may want to use the Office suite, you want to open the Web.When using a mobile phone at home is about: the point of view streaming video on the Internet, check e-mail, and access to social networks. In fact, most of these activities can be done in the browser, we use specialized applications, simply because they usually faster and easier to use than the mobile web some.
Having said that, many people may have a large number of those who like traditional applications running web, some people may have been the past few years, moving away from specialized applications. I type this article is to use Google Docs instead of Office, I've been using Web-based e-mail client side for many years.
(Figure: now you need all the services almost can be accessed through a browser.)
Google Chrome OS has been some of the more advanced HTML5 development results. Firefox OS should also be able to achieve a similar level, once multiple platforms similar development standards, it is possible to form a chain reaction, attract more developers.
Towards HTML5 or Java standard real benefit is that the application is compatible with various operating systems, like whether you are using Android, iOS or WP open the site, to see things pretty much the same. This will mark a dramatic shift in the field of software development. For developers and consumers, this is a big thing.
Perhaps the end of the "fragmentation" of the platform and closed platform
If this vision continues, the traditional smartphone operating system seems to no longer be a special need - at least when dealing with general day-to-day work will be.
Of course, the operating system designers can try to provide exclusive content and locked in their own platform, and the exclusive function of the platform and will always have their own place. However, a closed platform software market with a truly open and Commander?
If the fragmentation of the operating system is to prevent the only obstacle to simplify the development process, such as Chrome and Firefox platform may really cause violent industry reshuffle, of course, the premise is that they can get a large enough user base to attract investment.
If you suspect that type of software can be accessed through the HTML 5 will not be a lot, you can look at this example: Epic Games powerful game engine Unreal Engine 3 recently has begun compatible with HTML5, you can open a new version of the Firefox web browser it does not require any additional plug-ins, no need to download software.And do not forget, like Quake 2 game a few years ago ported to HTML and Java.