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No Firefox for iOS

Published on 29th September 2010 by Gareth Halfacree

Anyone hoping to use Firefox Mobile on iOS will be sad to hear that Mozilla has officially nixed the project.

The Mozilla Foundation has officially confirmed that Firefox Mobile, currently being developed under the codename Fennec, won't be making its way to iOS-based devices.

In a post to Mozilla's mobile blog, the team behind the project confirmed that there would be "no Firefox Browser for the iPhone," claiming that there are "technical and logistical restrictions that make it difficult, if not impossible, to build the full Firefox browser for the iPhone".

Instead, Mozilla will be concentrating its efforts on Firefox Home, the cloud-based add-on for iOS devices, which we previewed back in May.

Offering a list of upcoming features for Firefox Home - including password synchronisation from desktop installations of Firefox, social network integration and better integration with other iOS applications - the team also confirmed that work is being carried out to bring Firefox Home to other platforms that lack a Firefox browser build, including "both Blackberry and Symbian platforms in the coming months".

While Firefox Home offers a partial solution to those wanting to bring their Firefox browsing experience with them when they're out and about, the fact that the Fennec project is now definitely not coming to the iPhone will come as a blow to fans of the browser.

Are you disappointed that Mozilla couldn't find a way to get Fennec working on iOS, or is it likely down to Apple blocking their efforts with overly restrictive App Store rules? Share your thoughts over in the forums.

20 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

Snips 29th September 2010, 09:45

I don't think it's really that important which browser you use on a smartphone. There's always some lag on whatever one you use.

The issue here yet again is choice with an Apple product. I'm sure Mozilla could do it if Apple wasn't so restrictive.

mi1ez 29th September 2010, 10:11

On a mobile, it's not all about speed. I use opera over the built in browser on my X10 Mini because it just works better with it's tabs and history.

mclean007 29th September 2010, 10:39

Oh well, never mind. Safari on iOS is perfectly adequate for my mobile browsing needs.

rickysio 29th September 2010, 11:19

Since Fennec is developed for Maemo 5, and in development for Android, I'd be pretty sure it's all Apple's fault this time round.

Mongwopman 29th September 2010, 11:22

Dont see what the fuss is, its not like you would get multiple tabs or anything.

ImInTheZoneBaby 29th September 2010, 12:20

Opera have a browser on the iPhone, so I'm confused why Firefox couldn't be. Anybody have any ideas?

lacuna 29th September 2010, 12:36

I use opera on my iphone and much prefer it to safari

bogie170 29th September 2010, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImInTheZoneBaby
Opera have a browser on the iPhone, so I'm confused why Firefox couldn't be. Anybody have any ideas?

The Opera experience on the iphone is horrendous, laggy and buggy as hell and the graphics are not smooth at all. Have you tried it?

V3ctor 29th September 2010, 13:04

I use an Xperia X1 with Opera 10... But it would be great if Firefox could make a browser... I love the tabs :P

l3v1ck 29th September 2010, 14:26

Quote:

Are you disappointed that Mozilla couldn't find a way to get Fennec working on iOS

Not at all. I'm too busy looking forward to their Android release.

Quote:

, or is it likely down to Apple blocking their efforts with overly restrictive App Store rules?

I'd imagine so. I can't see them dropping such a popular OS by choice.

l3v1ck 29th September 2010, 14:26

I have tried Android Opera. It wasn't very good.

lacuna 29th September 2010, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogie170
Quote:
Originally Posted by ImInTheZoneBaby
Opera have a browser on the iPhone, so I'm confused why Firefox couldn't be. Anybody have any ideas?

The Opera experience on the iphone is horrendous, laggy and buggy as hell and the graphics are not smooth at all. Have you tried it?

I use it all the time and haven't encountered any issues. The one tap zoom is far more convenient than having to constantly pinch in and out, for me it wins on that alone.

bigsharn 29th September 2010, 14:48

Wait, didn't MS get a bollocking for anti-competitiveness over preinstalling IE not so long ago?

rickysio 29th September 2010, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsharn
Wait, didn't Intel get a bollocking for anti-competitiveness over preinstalling IE not so long ago?

Intel creates IE? O.O

Microsoft must be weeping in fury.

ssj12 29th September 2010, 19:30

This has been know for a while.. FireFox Home is at like version 1.0.2 or something on the iOS and has been on the market for like 2 - 3 months.

ZERO <ibis> 30th September 2010, 05:11

I do not see why developers even still bother with the iphone. We all know it is just a waste of time and money b/c of all the hoops you got to jump though. If developers stopped wasting the time and money customers would have no choice but to stop buying inferior products despite how "cool" they are.

bigsharn 1st October 2010, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickysio
Intel creates IE? O.O

Microsoft must be weeping in fury.

My mistake, it was a long day at work.

Nexxo 1st October 2010, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZERO <ibis>
I do not see why developers even still bother with the iphone. We all know it is just a waste of time and money b/c of all the hoops you got to jump though. If developers stopped wasting the time and money customers would have no choice but to stop buying inferior products despite how "cool" they are.

50 million iPhones sold, that's why. 35 million iPod Touches sold is another compelling reason (not bad sales for 'inferior products'). 85 million potential customers is quite a potential market for your app, no matter how many hoops you had to jump through.

rickysio 2nd October 2010, 05:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexxo
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZERO <ibis>
I do not see why developers even still bother with the iphone. We all know it is just a waste of time and money b/c of all the hoops you got to jump though. If developers stopped wasting the time and money customers would have no choice but to stop buying inferior products despite how "cool" they are.
50 million iPhones sold, that's why. 35 million iPod Touches sold is another compelling reason (not bad sales for 'inferior products'). 85 million potential customers is quite a potential market for your app, no matter how many hoops you had to jump through.

Actually no. It's because iPhone users are more willing to spend since iOS makes it easy. (Android paid apps not available in quite many countries, BB's main customers are corporate, which don't need apps, and Symbian devices... Well, Ovi store is a good attempt, but its Nokia only. And well, the interface is crud, at least on my N900. Heck, even getting apps from Ovi from the terminal is a less frustrating affair!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Smartphone_share_current.png

In case you don't get what I mean with the smartphone share image, developers should be taking aim at RIM devices, Android devices and Symbian devices instead of iOS, since your argument is based on devices available.

frenchscottie 2nd October 2010, 13:57

I'd just like to say that the iPhone 4 is the best mobile out there - and i've got a Google G1 - but i've had a shot at the iphone 4 and it rocks. The screen is just fab and the speed is excellent