Apps/Roadmap: Difference between revisions

<h1> Why is Mozilla doing this? </h1>

<p>Apps have become the predominant way users interact with content, especially on mobile devices. Most Apps today are built using platform specific tools and languages. They are distributed using tightly controlled and locked down App Stores. They only run on specific device and OS combinations. A few dominant market players have assembled these various pieces into integrated App ecosystems that pose some big challenges for users and developers. Before we dig into the specific problems, let's take a quick look at what constitutes an App ecosystem and who the major players are in the market.

</p><p>At a high level, an App ecosystem is an end-to-end, integrated combination of hardware, software and services that aims at providing compelling user experiences while severely restricting user and developer choice. A typical App ecosystem looks like this:

</p><p>At the lowest level, there is some hardware upon which runs a usually proprietary OS / runtime. On top of this runtime exists a store/marketplace which is the exclusive distribution channel for Apps, for tht ecosystem. The provider also offers a suite of compelling services that are also tied pretty closely to this ecosystem. Such services may be both user and developer services. The ecosystem also comes with a suite of compelling default applications, but in addition, provides an attractive array of other Apps that are available within the ecosystem.  

</p><p>Here's a simple representation of how some of the bigger players in the industry are implementing their own versions of an App ecosystem.  

</p><p>This poses challenges for both developers and users.  

</p><p>Some of the challenges for developers include:

<ul><li> Increased investment in building, maintaining, distributing and marketing separate Apps for each native platform.

</li><li> Loss of control over key aspects such as customer relationships, update frequencies, technology choices etc.

</li><li> Fragmentation of customer base

<p>Some of the challenges for users include:

<ul><li> Inability to use their Apps in a heterogeneous environment at home/work/school etc.

</li><li> Getting shut out of App experiences due to their device/platform choices.

</li><li> Lack of personalization in the App discovery process.