Two years ago, Mozilla launched Firefox OS as it tried to compete with some established platforms such as Android for the low end market segment. Back then, Firefox OS looked like a very good and promising idea.
Fast forward 30 months later and Mozilla has finally decided to kill off Firefox OS as it has failed to reach where they had intended it to. Firefox was mainly targeting the low end market segment in developing countries such as Kenya.
The Orange Kliff (running Firefox OS) was the only device I know that was heavily marketed in Kenya. I remember a friend of mine bought this phone and was disappointed with it because you can’t install WhatsApp on it. The lack of such important apps is what did not make this phone very appealing to most people even with its cheap price tag.
Comparing Firefox OS’s affordable smartphones to some of the cheap Android powered smartphones from china, one is left to settle with Android as it is more familiar and has a lot more specs and features that devices powered by Firefox OS.
Commenting on why it has decided to shut down Firefox OS, the company said, that it wasn’t able to “offer the best user experience possible.” With consumers spoilt for choice, offering the best user experience at a reasonable price is what will build or destroy a platform if you ask me.
Even though Firefox OS for smartphones is shutting down, Mozilla has plans to use it for other connected devices. This is according to Mozilla’s senior vice president for connected devices, Ari Jaaksi.
At this point, we don’t know much about Mozilla’s plans but it sounds good from my point. I will be excited to see how the company does this and how the market reacts.
Read More: First Smartphone Running Firefox OS to Go On Sale This Week