Keon and Peak: Two Firefox OS smartphones tested
Not Quite Local
As a result, the software feels like a local program, but appearances can be deceptive. Under certain circumstances, the browser continues to load the entire application code every time you start a server from the Internet. Apps installed in this way are not necessarily packaged apps that Firefox OS has unpacked on the local filesystem. Purely on the basis of the starter icon, the user cannot currently distinguish local apps from Internet services.
The browser run time in which the application runs remains an Internet browser: It opens links to HTML pages without any notification that it is leaving the local filesystem. Only time will tell whether users feel comfortable with this blurring of the boundaries between online and offline content, and this approach could potentially create new security problems.
Web developers need to learn very few new tricks to develop an app for Firefox OS: The same basic techniques are used as for normal web applications. Developers can implement programs in JavaScript on both the server and client sides.
The first specific challenge is the small screen. At this point, the apps do not greatly differ from the long-established mobile versions of larger websites. The only requirement for the installation of an app is the manifest [9], a simple JSON file. Of course, the user will prefer client-side apps, which can also be used offline thanks to cache management or local installation.
JavaScript Is Mature
The art of client-side programming in JavaScript has long reached a certain level of maturity: JavaScript is now as powerful as many of the classic scripting languages. The browsers come with a debugger, and IDEs [13] [14] support the language well. A wide selection of libraries and frameworks are present that often follow the model-view-controller paradigm (Table 3).
Table 3
Frameworks and Libraries
Frameworks | URL |
---|---|
High-level frameworks |
|
Marionette.js |
|
Thorax |
|
Low-level frameworks |
|
Backbone.js |
|
jQuery (DOM abstraction) |
|
User interface |
|
jQuery UI |
|
Sencha Touch |
|
SproutCore |
Light and Shadow
Many animation effects, but also functional features of a user-friendly GUI, are definitely easier to implement in HTML5 and CSS3 than in native graphical toolkits. One advantage of Firefox OS, however, is that there are more potential programmers around than for Android or iOS: Virtually any web developer can get started, with no major barriers to entry, although there are some undeniable drawbacks: JavaScript as a scripting language is inevitably slower than Java or C++, which has an effect on battery life.
In terms of security, browsers do not have good reputations. Although JavaScript is better than many C++ or Java developers might think, it still has inherent defects, such as the 64-bit limitation for floating point numbers. Additionally, whether users will be comfortable with the blurring of the online-offline boundary is not yet known.
Infos
- Boot to Gecko wiki: https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G
- Firefox OS simulator as a plugin: https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/firefox-os-simulator/
- Geeksphone:http://www.geeksphone.com
- Ubuntu Touch: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch/
- Palm (HP) WebOS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebOS
- B2G on GitHub: https://github.com/mozilla-b2g/
- Geolocation API: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAPI/Using_geolocation
- WebAPI: http://wiki.mozilla.org/WebAPI
- App manifest: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Apps/Manifest
- Permissions: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Apps/App_permissions
- Open Web Apps: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Apps
- App installation: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Apps/JavaScript_API
- NetBeans for HTML5: https://netbeans.org/features/html5/
- Eclipse for JavaScript: http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/eclipse-ide-javascript-web-developers/heliosrc2
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.
-
OSI and LPI Form Strategic Alliance
With a goal of strengthening Linux and open source communities, this new alliance aims to nurture the growth of more highly skilled professionals.