Mozilla, the organization that brought the world the Firefox browser and other applications, thinks we need another mobile operating system. I don't think so, but the efforts of Mozilla and some big-name companies could be valuable for the future of wireless Internet development.
This is all part of Mozilla's "Boot to Gecko" project, designed to develop an open-source mobile operating system based on Web standards. (Gecko is the software, called a "layout engine," on which Firefox is based. You might be familiar with another layout engine, WebKit, on which such browsers as Safari and Google Chrome are based.)
The Boot to Gecko's mobile OS includes a Linux kernel, parts of which also are used in Android, but it's not an Android phone and won't run Android programs. Mozilla's mobile OS is, in effect, a Web OS that's based on HTML5 and uses Web applications in a browser. It seems similar to Google's Chrome OS efforts, which also emphasize HTML5 and Web applications.
Mozilla's OS is designed for cellphones and tablets, which the organization calls Open Web Devices. Mozilla's OS will be completely open, and the organization is submitting it to the World Wide Web Consortium in the hopes of it being approved as a Web standard.
Indeed, standardization is a major goal. The Web applications will open in a cellphone's browser. They are designed to avoid the problem of a user with one version of a traditional mobile operating system, such as Android, not being able to open a regular application because it won't run on the cellphone's OS version. HTML5 apps should run on any HTML5 browser. As Mozilla proclaims, "The Web is the platform."
To populate that platform with Web apps, Mozilla recently launched the Mozilla Marketplace for developers to submit applications, using: "HTML5 for app structure; CSS3 for layout, visual aesthetics, and visual behaviors; and JavaScript for logical implementation." These apps should run on any mobile browser supporting HTML5.
But Mozilla isn't just working on the OS and applications. It's also working with Qualcomm for a chipset to work in Boot to Gecko cellphones, and with Telefónica to help develop the software phone. In fact, Telefónica says it was working on a similar OS when it decided to merge forces with Mozilla. Also, Deutsche Telekom will use the testing resources of its Innovation Laboratories, although it isn't participating, so far, as much as Telefónica.
Telefónica helped Mozilla develop the software that was demonstrated in Barcelona in a phone running the Mozilla OS, which also is demonstrated in a video. The phone can make calls as well as run such apps as Twitter, Google Maps, Google Books, YouTube, games, and, of course, Firefox. The phone is sometimes slow and doesn't always respond to the first tap on the screen; sometimes another tap is necessary. But it's early in the development cycle so it's not fair to judge.
One reason Boot to Gecko's Open Web Devices might be worth considering is their price. The OS isn't as complicated as other mobile operating systems, which could result in phones that don't require as much processing power as other handsets. Carlos Domingo, Telefónica Digital's director of product development and innovation, says phones based on Boot to Gecko could run at 600MHz and cost a tenth as much as an iPhone. This could allow people who can't afford smartphones to obtain some of the capabilities at feature phone prices.
However, since some iPhones can be had for free or $99, depending on the country, we'll have to see what an Open Web Device will cost, assuming any of them make it to the market.
Although I'm a fan of Mozilla's efforts in general, and wish the vendor well with Boot to Gecko, I'm not optimistic that we'll see many -- or any -- Open Web Devices succeeding in the market. It reminds me too much of Google's Chromebooks, which have been a dud. However, I applaud Mozilla's efforts to promote mobile open-source software, HTML5, and Web applications that will inevitably help foster wireless Internet evolution.
To paraphrase: Every web browser will evolve to a point, where it becomes a operating system platform that can "run" any former self.
The first thing I'll do in that Gecko OS, will be to make that true. ^^
You know where you end up when you move from unprofessional past highly professional over enterprisey to consultanty, until you're nearly back at unprofessional again? Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner-platform_effect
Interesting. However, the challenge will occur on two fronts: Open-Source and Andriod. Being open-source how secure will applications be on a cellphone? Based on issues with security of the Andriod, how much trust will be placed in any phone running a Mozilla Mobile OS.
I think the iPhone will continue to dominate for some time...
I didn't know about the UC Browser. Thanks for pointing it out.
But unless the company UCWeb wants to make its browser, in effect, a mobile OS, it's sort of like comparing apples and oranges (Apples and Mozillas?) -- a browser versus a mobile OS.
However, it will be interesting to see if the Chinese company can make inroads into the U.S. mobile browser market.
Yes, because of the potential for interference, white spaces spectrum in major markets will be in very short supply, so it can't be a nationwide network. However, as I noted, there will be available spectrum in more rural areas for local and regional networks.
Alan, Looks like the FCC restricts whitespace usage in populated urban areas, favoring TV broadcasts and banning any kind of inadvertent interference.. which means whitespace spectrum is effectively reduced so that it would be very difficult to be used as a replacement for a traditional cellular network. The current 3G cellular network uses 90MHz of bandwidth whereas the whitespace spectrum is restricted to just 60MHz...
If you find anything different or interesting, please feel freel to comment. I'm always interested in learning new things. And if I'm wrong about white spaces in major markets, well, I'd like to know.
I hadn't seen your post (from back in 2010) on whitespaces... and I'll have to dig around a bit more to find out where I got the impression that whitespace bandwidth wasn't as limited as you suggest.
Unless the situation has changed since I wrote the ThinkerNet blog about white spaces, there's a significant problem with finding enough of that spectrum in many large markets. But in medium sized markets, small markets and rural areas, it could be useful.
White spaces seem more appropriate for specific local or regional communications.
The ThinkerNet does not reflect the views of TechWeb. The ThinkerNet is an informal means of communication to members and visitors of the Internet Evolution site. Individual authors are chosen by Internet Evolution to blog. Neither Internet Evolution nor TechWeb assume responsibility for comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and ThinkerNet bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
In the past few weeks, Evernote, Twitter, and LinkedIn have implemented an optional security feature: two-step verification. It's time -- perhaps even past due -- for enterprises to consider offering this feature as well.
A horror story could unfold if Gartner is correct that many businesses will soon be forcing their employees to bring their own devices to work. It might seem like great news to people who want to use their own gear, but the policy could turn ugly for both employees and IT departments.
The apartment and house sharing service, Airbnb, now requires members to verify their identities by demonstrating a presence on the web, and by either scanning a government ID or entering detailed personal details. Other enterprises should take a close look at Airbnb's verification policies.
Enterprises must keep a close eye on the Marketplace Fairness Act, now before Congress, which would allow a nationwide sales tax on US online purchases. The bill's enactment will affect every business that operates or buys from an e-commerce website.
Samsung Electronics recently announced two Galaxy Mega branded phones with enormous screens -- 5.8 inches and 6.3 inches -- that could be useful for enterprises, especially those in vertical markets.
A survey by JD Powers found that customer interest in product features is lessening as phones evolve. Rather than features, price is driving purchases, and that change could have a dramatic impact on how IT departments secure these devices.
The iPad Mini is the latest iteration of the exploding tablet category. Because most tablets are WiFi-only, they create a new kind of mobile network. The problem is that we don't have issues like roaming and security defined for this new world.
When whole departments do BYOD and consumerization, it's a threat to IT and the whole organization. It's also an emerging business technology cliché you'll be sick of soon enough.
New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority is conducting a pilot test of digital kiosks to guide subway users to where they want to go more efficiently and at lower cost.
While NFC's original goal was to enhance mobile commerce applications, it is finding its way into a number of other uses, which is creating both opportunity as well as challenges for IT departments.
Subsidized handsets, rather than locked handsets, should be the focus of regulators. We're not getting good deals, not fostering innovation, and weakening our power as buyers.
New tools like laptops, tablets, smartphone, and wireless connectivity let us work from San Diego to Katmandu, and anywhere in between. But time management remains a problem.
Big-data and analytics tools enable marketers to understand customers as individuals, identifying unmet needs and addressing each customer as a "segment of one," says John Kennedy, VP corporate marketing, IBM.
New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority is conducting a pilot test of digital kiosks to guide subway users to where they want to go more efficiently and at lower cost.
The whole Amazon.reader debate is a double-stupid. It's stupid to think that there's any e-book buyer who doesn't know Amazon's URL, and it was stupider to let ICANN launch the whole free-form TLD initiative to start with.
While NFC's original goal was to enhance mobile commerce applications, it is finding its way into a number of other uses, which is creating both opportunity as well as challenges for IT departments.
Enterprises would like to move to cloud computing but are hesitant because they are concerned about providers’ ability to secure company data. Here are some tips that help to ensure that if breaches occur, the business is not left holding the bag.
Edmunds separates customers into segments based on the info it collects on its site and from partners, and uses that to push out custom content, said Brian Baron, director of business analytics for Edmunds.com, at Predictive Analytics Innovation Summit.
The IBM Smarter Commerce Global Summit in Monaco kicked into high gear today, and we've already begun to see news emerging from that lovely city-state by the sea.
Expert Integrated Systems: Changing the Experience & Economics of IT In this e-book, we take an in-depth look at these expert integrated systems -- what they are, how they work, and how they have the potential to help CIOs achieve dramatic savings while restoring IT's role as business innovator. READ THIS eBOOK
your weekly update of news, analysis, and
opinion from Internet Evolution - FREE! REGISTER HERE
Wanted! Site Moderators Internet Evolution is looking for a handful of readers to help moderate the message boards on our site – as well as engaging in high-IQ conversation with the industry mavens on our thinkerNet blogosphere. The job comes with various perks, bags of kudos, and GIANT bragging rights. Interested?
To save this item to your list of favorite Internet Evolution content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
Email This
