Mozilla Hacks

Mozilla Launches Contribution Program to Help Deliver Firefox OS to Tablets

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Posted on January 6, 2014 in Firefox OS and hackability

The first Firefox OS smartphones launched just a few months ago and we are already making progress on building Firefox OS for more platforms and devices.

One of those projects is progressing quickly and we need help from contributors to complete the code. To make this easier, we are launching a new contribution program aimed at accelerating the build of Firefox OS for tablets and its supporting ecosystem. To do this, we will provide dedicated contributors with access to resources and reference tablet hardware. We have to make the hardware available before the software is final to make it possible for contributors around the world to help us complete the build of Firefox OS for tablets.

We are working closely with partners like Foxconn and developers on the tablet development of Firefox OS. Because Firefox OS is built on the Web, and the Web is a truly extensible platform, we can continue to optimize Firefox OS for smartphones, while also building for tablets and different uses around the world with the help of our community.

Once we have completed work on Firefox OS for tablets with the help of this contribution program, we’ll get ready to share it with the world.

Initial Partners and Hardware:

Specs are:

InFocus 10″
1280×800 24bit color
16GB Storage
2GB RAM
802.11 b/g/n
267x171x9.7mm 580g

We will be working with partners like Foxconn to expand this program for more developers and contributors soon.

How the program will work:

  • The program will start in the coming weeks, when we will share more details about how contributors can apply to receive a reference tablet.
  • We will work together to complete the tablet version of Firefox OS.
  • We will provide guidance on where we need contributions to complete the tablet version of Firefox OS.
  • Nightly builds will be offered for developers to keep up to date.
  • All program details will be posted here on Hacks in the coming weeks

Who the program is aimed at:

  • Developers interested in or with previous knowledge of developing for the core Firefox OS (focus on Gecko/GFX, Gaia, UX, Productivity and Systems Apps).
  • Firefox OS localizers – to help localize and translate the tablet version of Firefox OS for global markets.
  • Testers and bug fixers – we will be calling for participation from both people who can test the latest tablet builds and file bugs and also developers who can file and fix bugs.

Stay tuned for more updates in the next few weeks on how to get involved in the program.

44 comments

  1. VJ

    How can i start working off for the program as a developer ?

    January 6th, 2014 at 12:06

  2. Mark Coggins

    VJ, thanks for your interest! Stay tuned: we will make more details available in the coming weeks.

    January 6th, 2014 at 12:23

  3. Bob Thulfram

    Woo hoo! Where do I sign up? I can definitely test and file bugs, maybe even do some development help.

    Firefox OS is exploding!

    Today there was also an announcement about the tiny APC Paper PC that fits in a book case (or a standard Mini-ITX and MicroATX case), running Firefox OS. Not just phones, but tablets and desktops! And maybe if we’re real good, well get the Firefox equivalent of the Chromebook!

    These are exciting times for Fabulous Firefox OS Fans!

    January 6th, 2014 at 12:29

    1. Andre Garzia

      Hi!!

      Can you link to the APC Paper announced you mentioned. I have one and I failed to to see any announcement made today. Thanks!

      Cheers
      andre

      January 6th, 2014 at 12:58

      1. Mark Coggins

        Andre, this post:

        https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/01/06/mozilla-and-partners-to-bring-firefox-os-to-new-platforms-and-devices/

        Has more details about several partner announcements, including APC Paper.

        January 6th, 2014 at 13:32

        1. Joshua Smith

          The APC Paper is awesome! I have contributed to the code base, and got one :D

          January 8th, 2014 at 14:08

    2. ᙇᓐ M. Edward Borasky (

      +1 for a Firefox OS clamshell! I’m not a big fan of tablet form factors, especially the 10″ 1.5 pound ones. If I have to plop it down on a table to use it for hours, I want a tracking device and a keyboard.

      January 18th, 2014 at 16:00

  4. Konstantinos Mavrodis

    That’s really excellent news!!!
    I would be more than happy to participate in any possible way!
    I think I could translate in greek since I am a native greek speaker.
    I will stay tuned for more details!

    January 6th, 2014 at 14:10

  5. noob

    give me tablet . now .

    January 7th, 2014 at 03:12

  6. Govind

    Looking forward for this. I hope Mozilla come up with DRM to protect the apps and its owners…

    January 7th, 2014 at 13:09

  7. Tristan Tilson

    Can’t wait to get in line for this one all the ideas are flooding in!!

    January 7th, 2014 at 13:26

  8. Andrey A. Ugolnik

    Where I can signup as developer?

    January 8th, 2014 at 01:59

    1. Asa Dotzler

      We’re still sorting out the details. Stay tuned to this and other Firefox OS channels for updates in the coming days.

      January 9th, 2014 at 02:15

  9. Marcio

    Thanks for having this vision. This aligns a lot with the creativity level that Mozilla really is!

    January 8th, 2014 at 05:56

  10. daf182

    I’m looking forward to test it as developer!

    January 8th, 2014 at 13:56

  11. Prateek Jadhwani

    Lets get started.!!!

    January 8th, 2014 at 14:09

  12. Joshua Smith

    I am so excited! Tablet UX FTW!

    January 8th, 2014 at 14:09

  13. Victor Eberechi

    This is awesome!!! Will like to contribute to the code base.

    January 8th, 2014 at 15:48

  14. Daniel Dressler

    Since the tablet will be a prototype can we expect an NDA? Or would blogging be encouraged?

    January 8th, 2014 at 22:13

    1. Asa Dotzler

      No. There will be no NDA required. This will be an open project. As a matter of fact, it’s so open that we’re talking about it before we’re even fully ready. Sorry about that, it’s mostly my fault for traveling over the holidays. I’ll have more details in a matter of days but the this detail I’m confident about now, you will not need to sign an NDA to participate in this program.

      January 9th, 2014 at 02:10

  15. yogo

    Very good news !!!
    Where can we follow the developement of FFOS ? I mean see mockups, designs, discussed new features, roadmaps, etc.. ?
    Is it only here and on bugzilla ? Or are their other place to follow FFOS ?

    January 8th, 2014 at 22:57

    1. Asa Dotzler

      Firefox OS development can be followed in the weekly updates at https://wiki.mozilla.org/WeeklyUpdates with more in-depth docs at at the Mozilla Wiki here: https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G & here: https://wiki.mozilla.org/FirefoxOS

      January 9th, 2014 at 02:14

      1. yogo

        Thanks for the links !

        January 9th, 2014 at 17:38

  16. abhiram

    more than happy to help!

    January 8th, 2014 at 23:41

  17. Beomjun

    WOW Fantastic!!!

    January 9th, 2014 at 01:41

  18. willyaranda

    How about l10n?

    What are the targeted markets for this? I would like to help in Spanish (most of es translators are based on Madrid) if it is a prioritized market.

    Cheers

    January 9th, 2014 at 07:13

  19. Yorman Duque

    This really is good news considering all the success of Firefox OS, hopefully good things follow.

    January 9th, 2014 at 17:13

  20. David Lawrence

    Would be cool if a nightly generated build could be distributed for the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tabs and Asus Transformers. A lot of Mozillians already have these as they were given out a while back for Firefox on Android testing. i would love to run Firefox OS on my tablet that I already have.

    January 13th, 2014 at 12:37

  21. Lucian Piros

    Excellent news. Sign me in.

    January 14th, 2014 at 10:41

  22. Todd Davenport

    I would like to help test a Firefox OS Tablet.

    January 15th, 2014 at 13:25

  23. Rafael Martínez

    I can test and bug report!

    January 17th, 2014 at 08:47

  24. john

    I tried it on my phone and i like it and i even like to help with fault finding and to make it a better OS But it does not let me make a call with it so i cannot have it on my phone . Because i only have the one phone

    January 17th, 2014 at 19:00

  25. KAMI

    I happy to test it and help in L10n.

    January 21st, 2014 at 02:08

  26. Jon Hunnings

    I would also love to be involved in this, both as a developer and as a tester/bug reporter… Where do I sign up? :)

    January 22nd, 2014 at 10:36

  27. Asa Dotzler

    L10N is definitely on the list of areas we’re looking for help. Stay tuned to this channel for updates on the program. – A

    January 23rd, 2014 at 12:15

  28. Charles

    How can HTML5.com help generate more awareness and help FireFox OS grow?

    January 24th, 2014 at 13:43

  29. Alexandre Gradt

    I’m for, I can help to translate into french and bug report

    January 27th, 2014 at 03:48

  30. Tristan Tilson

    Do you have any idea when this program may start??

    January 27th, 2014 at 05:37

    1. Asa Dotzler

      Tristan, I hope to open applications in the next couple of weeks and start shipping tablets in the second half of February if all goes well.

      January 30th, 2014 at 12:53

      1. Tristan Tilson

        Thanks Asa dou have any idea what the requirements for applying would be?

        January 30th, 2014 at 14:07

  31. Regina

    Hi!! I want to be involved too. I can help developing and testing bugs. Where do I have to sign up?

    February 1st, 2014 at 08:54

  32. Sourav Lahoti

    So after testing Firefox Os on geekphone,building apps for mobile Os, its time for tablet.
    Waiting to see Firefox Os performance on tablet. Finger crossed.

    February 1st, 2014 at 12:14

  33. Roland

    I`m not a developer, but I want to help to translate into german and maybe polish. Testing Software is possible for me too. I have already experience to testing with the KDE project.

    February 3rd, 2014 at 03:29

  34. René

    I’m not a developer, but I will be able to test and review the product. Furthermore I can translate the system into german. I’m studying business informatics and I hope to help you with the specification and documentation of new features.

    Best regards

    René

    February 3rd, 2014 at 14:08

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