Apps/Project Plans/Firefox Mobile Apps v1

Initiative: "Firefox Mobile Apps v1"

This initiative is about Apps running on Gecko runtime. It pushes us again toward our goal of bringing open web apps to all the users of the web. Apps for 300 million desktop users, 25 million+ Mobile FF users, and millions of FxOS users.

For Developers, "Firefox Mobile Apps v1" will simply provide a gateway to the global audience and momentum of Firefox Mobile. Developers can begin to grow at the rate of deployment of FxOS, pacing with Android, creating apps with all the powerful features that users expect from native apps; empowered with all the benefits of the open web, supported with the structure and services of a traditional marketplace. It's time to bust open the gates, and share with millions of developers the amazing opportunity we see.

Why "Firefox Mobile Apps v1":

• Developers - Apps run on multiple platforms; use the same API's, packaging and privileges.
• Mozilla - gecko runtime consistent on all platforms
• End-User - my Apps work on all my devices, pay once
• Operator - remove control point, keep direct to consumer model

Goals for the "Firefox Mobile Apps 1" initiative

1. Provide working proof of Open Web App principles: the app manifest as security model
2. Provide working examples of groundbreaking web APIs on Gecko runtime
3. Provide delivery vehicle for cross-platform apps (Privileged & Packaged apps on Android, Marketplace)
4. Provide flexible business model for the delivery of apps by others (Payments)

Target Audiences

• Nightly, Fennec 26
• Aurora Marketplace

Scope: Minimum Viable Product

Parity with FFOS

1. Implement an app (Kitchen Sink) that showcases the APIs and features supported by the Web Runtime across supported platforms (FXOS, Android).
2. Implement must have APIs on Android
3. Implement full life cycle support for packaged apps on Android in Nightly.
4. Implement the security/permissions model to enable privileged apps on Android in Nightly.
5. User Experience of using Firefox Apps on Android

Out-of-Scope This Initiative

1. Payments on Android: very important. Not a part of "minimum viable product"

Duration

March 6, 2013 - September 6, 2013

Communication

Communication Type	Mechanism	Audience
Announcements	tbd and tbd lists	all
General discussion	tbd list	devs
Meetings	meeting time Dial-in: Audio-only conference# conf number People with Mozilla phones or softphones please dial x4000 Conf# conf number US/Toll-free: +1 800 707 2533, (pin 4000) Conf# conf number US/California/Mountain View: +1 650 903 0800, x4000 Conf# conf number US/California/San Francisco: +1 415 762 5700, x4000 Conf# conf number US/Oregon/Portland: +1 971 544 8000, x4000 Conf# conf number CA/British Columbia/Vancouver: +1 778 785 1540, x4000 Conf# conf number CA/Ontario/Toronto: +1 416 848 3114, x4000 Conf# conf number UK/London: +44 (0)207 855 3000, x4000 Conf# conf number FR/Paris: +33 1 84 88 37 37, x4000 Conf# conf number Gmail Chat (requires Flash and the Google Talk plugin): paste +1 650 903 0800 into the Gmail Chat box that doesn't look like it accepts phone numbers SkypeOut is free if you use the 800 number Vidyo: AndroidProduct IRC Public: #openwebapps IRC Private: tbd Agenda:	all
Meeting summaries	this wiki	all

Minutes and Progress Reports

2012
minutes go here

People

list required competencies for people and, once defined, the people working on project. note that not all of these competencies will be required for every project

Project Champions
Key Stakeholders / Champions
Program Management
Product
UX
Engineering	primary devs working on project
Other Engineering	subject matter experts contributing to project
Accessibility
Localization
Services
Incoming Bug Triage	this may be someone listed elsewhere, the key is to list people who handle triage
QA
Security
Privacy
Releng
Marketing
Legal

Testimonials

• "Three of the four FFOS value propositions talk about open standards and portability. To deliver on them, we need our runtime to work across platforms" - Vishy Krishnamoorthy, Product Manager, Web Runtime
  • "Firefox OS will produce an implementation of these new Web standards to free mobile platforms from the encumbrances of the rules and restrictions of existing proprietary platforms."
  • "Users and developers aren’t locked in to one platform, so they can access their info and use apps across multiple devices."
  • "OEMs and operators will be able to provide content and services across their entire device portfolio, regardless of OS."