Firefox OS (Boot 2 Gecko) Simulator - Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux

http://people.mozilla.org/~myk/r2d2b2g/

by diggan • 14 years ago

117 34 14 years ago

people.mozilla.org

diggan6• 14 years ago

Firefox OS: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefoxos/

Announcement for simulator: https://hacks.mozilla.org/2012/11/announcing-the-prototype-f...

Github repo for simulator: https://github.com/mozilla/r2d2b2g

PedroBatista• 14 years ago

Even with "beta" tools, this is already better than Android SDK.

maratd• 14 years ago

Android SDK is horrible even with the recent updates.

You are far better off running Android in VirtualBox. It's small, really fast, and works like it should.

See: http://androvm.org/blog/

unconed• 14 years ago

I don't know why Google thinks Eclipse + their shitty emulator is an acceptable toolchain. Must be all the Java devs there, they're used to abysmal start up times.

mtgx• 14 years ago

Android SDK emulates the complete ARM architecture. This does not. If you test your code in the browser, it doesn't mean it will run well on the phones. I wonder how Mozilla will deal with multiple devices in the future. At least Apple uses a simulator because developers can afford to buy all the more recent models.

ngokevin2• 14 years ago

Different devices should behave the same in the sense that a browser on different operating systems behave the same.

fpgeek• 14 years ago

Whether your code will run well on a phone depends on which browser(s) you test in. The entire apps stack is also being implemented in Firefox for Android (it was Firefox Aurora as of September):

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Apps/Apps_for_Andro...

In other words, Mozilla is already dealing with plenty of devices today. I'd expect that, in the majority of cases, if an app works well in Firefox for Android, it will work well on Firefox OS and vice-versa. After all, the whole point is to enable apps that are portable to any device/browser combination that implements the relevant APIs.

kzrdude• 14 years ago

When can I buy a phone using this?

diggan6• 14 years ago

There is a guide to dual boot Firefox OS and Android on a SGS2 here: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Boot_to_Gec...

That's probably the easiest way.

A little more information about availability from Wikipedia:

"At Mobile World Congress 2012, Mozilla and Telefónica announced that the Spanish telecommunications provider intended to deliver "open Web devices" in 2012 based on HTML5 and these APIs. Mozilla also announced support for the project from Adobe and Qualcomm, and that Deutsche Telekom’s Innovation Labs will join the project. Mozilla demonstrated a "sneak preview" of the software and apps running on Samsung Galaxy S II phones (replacing their usual Android operating system). In August 2012, a Nokia employee demonstrated the OS running on a Raspberry Pi.

Firefox OS is compatible with devices including: Otoro, PandaBoard, Emulator (ARM and x86), Desktop, Nexus S, Nexus S 4G, Samsung Galaxy S II, and Galaxy Nexus."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefox_OS#Demonstrations

daleharvey2• 14 years ago

Be warned, The Nexus S / SGS11 'support' is partial, there are known bugs with both that arent actively being worked on. If you are happy testing out the bleeding edge then these are good to play with. If you want something that guarantees to work (and is high priority when bugs are visible) then I would use the simulator for now until there is some form of more official support for a publically available phone.

kennywinker3• 14 years ago

I'm pretty excited about Firefox OS, but I think they need to lay out a clear path for developers. The "use html5, dummy!" battlecry falls short. What is html5 and where do I download it? Which frameworks do I use (there are literally hundreds of them), which toolchains work best? How do I handle multitouch?

I know I can use whatever I want, but I want them to a) obviously continue to allow me to use whatever I want, and b) tell me what way they think I _should_ do it.

diggan6• 14 years ago

Think web, it's exactly like the web.

To see a example workflow for developing a application: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Apps/Tutorials/Weat...

ngokevin2• 14 years ago

I know you want them to tell you, but I'll tell you a bit. HTML5 isn't downloaded, it's just like HTML with some extra features that are now supported by browsers (Canvas tag, local storage, audio/video) that you actually don't have to use. You can continue to use whatever web frameworks you want, and unfortunately the way they want you do it is however you want to do it.

kennywinker3• 14 years ago

Sorry if my tone wasn't clear. I know html5 isn't something you can "download".

I'm just comparing a beginner developer experience for iOS/Android/Firefox OS.

iOS -> download Xcode, install, new project, build and run.

Android -> download Android SDK installer, install eclipse plugins, install eclipse, install current SDK, create new device for emulator, create new project, run on device.

Firefox OS -> ??? google "html5"

I would like to see them field a framework along with their OS. Even if it just means partnering with an existing framework. Make it a 1st class citizen on the OS so you don't need to include your own copy of all the .js files.

If that's not possible, even a simple "here are frameworks we like for Apps: x,y,z Games: j,k,l" would help set people on the right path.

diggan6• 14 years ago

Just tried the map application in the simulator and it's smooth even if my little netbook barely handle Google.com without some lag. Impressive I'll say.

toddmorey• 14 years ago

This runs as a FireFox browser extension, which is pretty neat. Once the .xpi file downloads, simply drag it into a tab of FireFox and you're off and running.

kmfrk• 14 years ago

This is just amazing. I'm almost at a complete loss for words. Just bravo to everyone at Mozilla.

Google must be kicking themselves.

bashzor• 14 years ago

Firefox OS simulator that runs on Win/mac/lin? Sounds like a complicated way of just running Firefox :P

diggan6• 14 years ago

I don't know if you're serious or not but I'll give you a nudge in the right direction for finding out what Firefox OS is: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefoxos/

daleharvey2• 14 years ago

To be fair he is right, it is a complicated way of running what is essentially firefox. The API's will often run in Firefox plain and in future hopefully the whole OS will run in Firefox plain.

lucb1e• 14 years ago

I guess it's not serious, seeing the ":P" behind the reply.

dangoor• 14 years ago

My thinking is that many developers will build their mobile apps starting with just Firefox (and the Responsive Design View). Once they really start digging in to some of the APIs that exist in B2G but not yet in Firefox, they'll switch to the Simulator.

There are some differences between B2G Desktop (used by the Simulator) and Firefox today, not to mention the ability to check out Gaia (the user interface of B2G). My hope is that everything needed for the Simulator will roll into Firefox at some point.

I know you were likely kidding, but I thought I'd try to clarify where the Simulator fits in the development process for people building targeting Firefox OS.

(I'm the product manager for the Simulator, among other things)

NanoWar• 14 years ago

I'd love to see Firefox OS on an iPhone...

nsmartt• 14 years ago

I'd love to put Firefox OS on my iPod Touch.

I feel a little dirty for owning this thing.

luxxx• 14 years ago

doesn't work with iceweasel, don't care enough to work around

jskopek• 14 years ago

The level of polish in B2G is quite impressive, especially given the alpha label. I suppose the fact that everything is written in HTML5 makes for very quick development times.

If I was at Facebook, I would be paying -very- close attention to this project. It's in their interest to get an independent mobile platform out into consumer hands, and I'd be surprised if they aren't already devoting developer time to the project. The harder challenge will be getting handset makers and carriers to support the new environment, and that's where a backer with big pockets could come in handy.

ricardobeat• 14 years ago

They say they already have partnerships set up with brazilian carriers and are aiming for a launch in Q1 2013. If that goes well I assume it will be pretty easy to get companies on board around the world.

riffraff• 14 years ago

possibly a follow up for http://www.openwebdevice.com/ ?

Firefox OS (Boot 2 Gecko) Simulator - Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux

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