Mozilla halts Firefox development for Windows Mobile, won't offer it on Windows Phone 7 without NDK
By Vlad Savov 
posted March 23rd 2010 6:29AM
posted March 23rd 2010 6:29AM
Color us resolutely unsurprised at the news that devs are starting to abandon the Windows Mobile platform in favor of, well, longer-lived opportunities. Firefox's maker, Mozilla, has come out with a statement that it's ceasing development of its WinMo builds and -- perhaps more importantly -- it's also curtailing work on a Windows Phone 7 offering until Microsoft opens its new platform up to native apps. So basically, no Native Development Kit from Microsoft equals no Firefox for Windows Phone from Mozilla. The browser maker does express hope, however, that Microsoft will make it possible to deliver the popular IE alternative in the future, pointing out that the underlying Windows CE 6 architecture suits Firefox well and the company is "well positioned to have an awesome browser on Windows Phone 7." For now, the focus in Mozilla's mobile HQ remains on bringing out a great product on the less restrictive Android and MeeGo platforms.
FUCK!
MSFT better let Mozilla in!
@abedinthehouse
MS is really taking two-steps back with Win7 Mobile IMO. I mean for Christ's sake, they considered Windows Mobile to be the premier enterprise offering for work-related mobile activities, and then they turn right around and flat-out say "Phones are not computers". Then, they remove copy and paste in the most obvious of ways, and completely remove any access to the interior of the OS's file system. Does anyone actually know what kind of SD support the OS will have?
Fuck, I was really excited at the potential the streamlined design of WinMo7 had, but after all the ass-backwards decisions that Microsoft is making with the OS, I think it's finally the thing to push me over the edge into Android territory once my current contract is over with my Sprint Touch Pro 2.
@r34p3r
Funny how Endgadget used a picture of the same device I carry in my pocket. The Touch Pro 2 is really durable! I dropped it on solid concrete from waist height while getting out of my car, and there's not even any damage at all to the device.
I'm quite excited to see what the Sprint Supersonic has in store for us loyal Sprint customers...
@r34p3r Microsoft has stated there will be NO SD card support..only internal memory, a la Apple...
ALso, they've stated they Copy and Paste won't be in the OS at launch, but didn't preclude it from being in it in the future.
As far as Firefox...if the IE browser inside the OS is good enough, then there will be no need for another browser... so I don't see the problem...
While Mozilla is at it, why don't they whine about not being on the iPhone as well..
@steveymacjr
You are right about the browser point of view. I mean, if MS actually nails the mobile version of IE in WM7, we might not need Firefox after all. Let's just hope that they can get both flash AND Silverlight going on the platform.
As for the other things -- copy and paste and a valid file system -- I'll never be able to get over it until MS actually shows that they can make the absence work via a different approach.
@abedinthehouse
It's not like MS is blocking Firefox unlike Apple. Mozilla is free to build a browser if they want to.
Mozilla is just being lazy and ideological. Just look at their stance on H264 in HTML5.
@Proud Japanese
If thats true than Apples stupid for doing so. And that sounds believable...
@r34p3r
Just keep in mind that the first version of WP7S WILL NOT have Flash or Silverlight integrated in the browser, so yea...they will come in later.
@Proud Japanese You mean the stance where they really can't afford to pay licensing fees that are required to run H.264 video seeing as firefox is free and open sourrce? Yeah what a horrible stance. Ogg theora works just as well.
@steveymacjr There's no sd card support? ... I honestly didn't know till just now. I'm actually really upset about this. wtf
@steveymacjr
WP7S browser = Internet Explorer 7, from 2006.
This is your only browser in WP7S, man. That's not good.
@abedinthehouse To paraphrase Sun, "the Browser is the Computer."
Without a great HTML5 based browser integrated with the device hardware features, Windows 7 Mobile is another media injection device, and I feel sorry for those who fall for it.
@Edobe
They can just use x264, as far as I'm concerned that codec works great.
@abedinthehouse It's still too early to conclude this one, the wp7 product launch will still be on the holidays, until that day, it'll be better to reserve judgement if FF won't land on this phone. MS, isn't that too unwise to miss the importance of Firefox, don't they?
Even android had embrace FF via their fennec: http://bit.ly/fennec-android-firefox-mobile
@steveymacjr If the IE browser in the WM7 emulator is any indication, than it is more than capable. I was plesantly supprised just how fast and accuratley it renders most webpages...still, I really don't understand MS's decisions with regards to WM7. Moving to a closed ecosystem for apps and no copy-paste just seems bizarre...I mean, with so many improvements that WM7 brings to the table, why remove some major features present in previous versions. It's like listening to Apple all over again circa 2008: "No copy-paste becuase users don't want it"...MS must be drinking the same rancid kool-aid.
@abedinthehouse
It's IE on Windows and Netscape all over again, just now mobile, MS always pushes the envelope on what they can get away with to bully markets. Unfortuntly they have a stronger stand on thier mobile phones then on PC's...
I'll just enjoy my DROID and thumb my nose at M$'s crappy business practices....
@abedinthehouse
I wish people would stop complaining about the copy and paste. They build a new OS from the ground up. They've made it clear that they're devs are working on it and the reason it will not be available at launch is because it will not be ready to implement. Also, once it is ready they can just update it. Carriers are no longer going to mandate software updates like done previously. MS can just send it over the air like Windows Update.
This isnt just a skin over people. It's a new thing. I don't think they are taking steps back, they are making the user experience stronger. I'm sure developers appreciate structure when their income depends on people paying for their apps and not pirating.
@r34p3r : So you already know for sure that none of those features will make it before it releases or come through a free firmware update, eh? I still think people need to chill and don't drop final judgment on something before it's even released.
There's no problems complaining about it; I feel the same way, but switching to a different platform before WP7S is even out seems rather rash to me. I just personally think that core priority with making their new mobile OS was to make the design and UI better, and then add in those features we like most before it launches or maybe through firmware updates. I think it might have been partly to help with HTC HD2 sales in the US, since WP7S won't come on it officially. So yeah, I think people need to chill before hopping around mad before this thing is released.
maybe they can update the n900 version now!!!!!!
@theoneandonlyradiostation Agreed. I was excited for firefox on my N900, but it is disappointing.
this is Microsoft fault. they are on the same path as apple!!!....
@Antiapple
Well Mozilla hasn't exactly been in a hurry to finish their supposed mobilewonder-browser, so why should MS bend over backwards to accommodate them now?
Just leaves more space for Opera/Skyfire to fill.
LOCKDOWN.
This is Microsoft locking down its next WP7S mobile platform. Microsoft wants IE7 to be the only browser.
@Antiapple Too true, let's hope MS actually makes a good "white list" for things...this being the mobile web, I HIGHLY doubt it, despite the importance. EU, do you have anything to say about this? *poke, poke* (I understand they don't have the same market share on mobile and don't see the EU doing anything, but it'd be nice...)
firefox sux ...
@kaasinees Your mother is better at it than Firefox.
@kaasinees I'll agree its much more bloated than people seem to realise, but it's still a better browser, and had a much better rendering engine than IE...
I'd still rather see a webkit browser on WiMo
@sshole
ubuntu and firefox are bloat-ware, the code is just really really bad,
i rather have gentoo and chrome.
I'd rather have GChrome anyways.
Or they could refactor the code in c# and maybe discover some things that could be improved in firefox. what do they need a ndk for?
@Einlander This would be next to impossible to do.
@Einlander Why would they refactor in C# and lock themselves into a Microsoft language that exists (mostly) only on Microsoft platforms? That's totally anti-thesis of Firefox.
A lot of people at wmpoweruser.com seem to think Firefox Mobile sucks anyways because it's a native app, and all native apps suck because they're not supported on Wimpy7s for good reason -- being that they're all native coders of repute. Circular, nah ...
@NuShrike How about writing a version of Firefox in Silverlight?
Has WP7S been confirmed to be based on Windows CE 6 yet, or is it still just an assumption? I've never actually seeing a verifiable source saying so, just rumors saying CE6 or the not released CE7
good news if this means they can get the android version out quicker!
@bigshape Opera mobile 5 beta is out and it rocks. No need to wait on Mozilla.
@Edobe yeah, i'm using it too - but always nice to have more options ;)
Why is Microsoft copying apple but in a worse way, closed software, no external memory, apps only from Microsoft market place, no 3 party home screen skimming & horrible home screen.
Bad move Microsoft you thought you had problems selling windows 6.5 Windows 7 will fail because by then Symbian Foundation on phones & android will have released at least 1 more upgrade & the 4th Iphone will be out, you are dead in the water I am afraid.
Will this have any impact on the engadget development for WinMo? If so, I've prepared a ready article title:
'Josh Topolsky halts Engadget App development for Windows Mobile, won't offer it on Windows Phone 7 without NDK'
Good Riddance.
Forget Windows Phone 7 ... There will NEVER be NDK for it.
So, bring it to the ANDROID platform (hey its Linux!).
Make it SUPER FAST browser, I meant SUPER FASSSSSTTTTTT.
And dont forget Flash + HTML5 as well.
They should release it for Symbian. Though, Opera Mobile is really good so it's not a big loss.
The Mozilla community *could* turn their focus to WebOS. Just saying.
@sweet greggo Why would they write code for a dying platform? Have you seen the shape Palm is in lately?
@Evster88
Palm may die but WebOS will live on somewhere, maybe with HTC..
Well, does anyone care if the mobile IE is fast and functional?! I don't really.
who cares, Firefox is no longer the sole other option!
Why is firefox the only browser to still not take advantage of jump lists in Windows 7. Even Safari does.
Good riddance I never was interested in Firefox myself.
No NDK is what is going to make WP7 the next fail in Microsoft's mobile strategy. Bombarding the media with big plans on fusing your xbox, phone and computer via XBL, showing how awesome it is that you can write a single game that works on all three, showing off a stupid game that obviously has been tuned to the max to look good on blurry cam video's, while at the same time restricting developers to XNA with managed code, and limiting access to GPU shaders. This is not going to attract game developers to the platform.
meh i want skyfire on my android unlike winmo