FirefoxOS: The Web, MobileDaniel Appelquist (@torgo)Open Web Advocate, Telefónica Digital

What a difference 5 years makes

-Me in 2008 (http://www.slideshare.net/dappelquist/web2-expo-sf2008-appelquist/)

The Web is Mobile

Image from Brad Frost (http://bradfrostweb.com)

..but● Web apps are still second class citizens on

smart phones● Great confusion about the difference

between apps and Web● Consumers being driven towards apps● In the process, we are losing what the Web

has given us: interoperability, freedom, openness, choice

(Native) Apps vs. Web

Yawn

(Native) Apps vs. Web● Web has been a browser based experience● Web has not had access to device APIs● Web has not been very good with touch● Techniques for responsive UX have not

been developed● JavaScript frameworks have been oriented

towards desktop

...but now the Web is catching up

Apps Remind me of Something

App Fatigue is Setting In● How many apps do you use regularly?

Where is your apps graveyard?● Do apps really make sense for news?

Really?● Social content consumption and sharing

zings you between apps and Web● Door-slams● What value is an app store bringing between

users and services?● App stores remind me of pre-Web thinking

...but the Web has something to learn from Apps● People like apps● Emotive feeling of ownership● Having an install step conveys meaning:

additional privileges, expectations of use● Offline operation● Access to more APIs = richer experience● Touch UI is different from mouse-driven UI

The Web has Staying Power● Built on (open, royalty-free) standards● International community of implementers● Open to all content providers, open to all

developers● Don't like it? Fork it.● People choose the Web because the Web

gives people a choice● Solid architectural foundation

Identification: URLTransport: HTTPMeaning: HTMLInteraction: DOM+JavaScript+APIsStyle: CSS

What is the Architecture of the Web?(unofficial)

Credit: P

aul Dow

neyhttp://blog.w

hatfettle.com/2008/10/06/the-uri-is-the-thing/

What could a Web Future Look Like?● Web apps can be used in the browser or installed● Visit a Web page, it might ask you "do you want me to

install as an app?"● Installed Web apps can pop up in a chromeless view

and can access privileged APIs● Plethora of (Web-based) app stores available, or buy

apps direct from publisher● Web apps that invoke telephony functions● Privacy-enabled● Apps built with responsive design across device types

and form factors

Firefox OS● A phone built by the people who

brought you the Web● All apps are Web apps (including

dialer, camera, etc...)● All applications built on top of Firefox

engine (Boot to gecko)● Everything open source - open for

tinkering● Yes, a Marketplace (for "privileged"

apps)● Optimized for low-end smart phones● Geeksphone keon / peak developer

preview phones● ZTE, Alcatel phones released

Bridging the Gap● New APIs allow access to accelerometer,

camera, address book, calendar, telephony (making calls), etc...

● New security model for privileged webapps● Hosted apps and packaged apps● Both can be used off-line● Icons represent webapps to the user● Curated app store from Mozilla - or roll your

own

Blurring the Lines● Why should an app on your phone be

different from the Web?● How can a WebApp dip into your personal

information and use your camera in a secure way?

● Is a chromeless WebApp still "The Web"?● Is a packaged WebApp still "The Web"?● How can I tell when I can expect to use an

app off-line?

Everything.me Integration● Unique search interface for

apps● "Try before you buy"

approach to discovery● Integrated into Firefox OS

Some Challenges Still...● Security - beyond the browser sandbox● Protecting user privacy when apps can

access private data - what is the right balance?

● WebRTC - in Beta● Platform optimization● Appcache / offline operation

Why Telefónica Digital?● Easier app development across platforms =

better apps● Lower cost handsets = more people using

them● Google/Apple Appstore duopoly = bad for

developers, bad (in the long run) for innovation

● Bringing a fresh approach = disruptive● "Open Innovation"

Working with StandardsThis is the Web. I know this.

W3C: HTML5, WebApps, Geolocation, Sysapps, WebRTC, Community Groups

Privileged APIs (e.g. Telephony), Packaging, Improving Appcache, Touch Events, Push

W3C Responsive Images Community GroupA group working on a solution for images in responsive design

http://www.w3.org/community/respimg/

<picture alt="Description of image subject.">

<source srcset="small.jpg 1x, small-highres.jpg 2x">

<source media="(min-width: 18em)" srcset="med.jpg 1x, med-highres.jpg 2x"> <source

media="(min-width: 45em)" srcset="large.jpg 1x, large-highres.jpg 2x"> <img src="

small.jpg" alt="Description of image subject."> </picture>

A proposed syntax and a polyfill ("picturefill") on GitHub

W3C Extensible Web Effort● New idea for extending the capabilities of the

Web● Community Group here:

○ http://www.w3.org/community/nextweb/● Manifesto here:

○ http://extensiblewebmanifesto.org

Some Resourcesdeveloper.mozilla.org/en/docs/Mozilla/Firefox_OS

Info from Mozilla on the Firefox OS projectOpenWebDevice.com

Info from Telefónica on the Firefox OS projectBuildingFirefoxOS.com

Building blocks to help you create appsw3.org

World Wide Web Consortium join the conversation

Challenge!

Dan Appelquist@torgo

@tefdigital