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Firefox OS Powered Flame Available For Pre-order; Ships Globally

Posted by Unknown on from the everyone-has-a-phone dept.

sfcrazy (1542989) writes "Developers need access to device running the platform for which they develop. Nexus was Google's reference device and now Mozilla is coming out with its own device. Mozilla has opened pre-order for Flame, its Firefox OS reference devices for $170 including free shipping." Specs are, of course, modest: a dual core 1.2GHz snapdragon, 1G of RAM, 8G of flash, an 854×480 4.5" screen, and a 5MP camera. Now, if only they would release a device with a keyboard.

12 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. Re:LOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A physical keyboard is far superior to an on-screen keyboard, swype included. Too bad Blackberry sucks.

  2. Expensive by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I can get a moto g for 179 $ that has more software, a quad core processor and a better screen. This won't cut it.

    1. Re:Expensive by X.25 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I can get a moto g for 179 $ that has more software, a quad core processor and a better screen. This won't cut it.

      Apples. Oranges. And all that.

      Jesus, now I understand why your leaders call you 'consumers' and not 'citizens' these days...

    2. Re:Expensive by tepples · · Score: 2

      But how well can you use the Moto G to test an application for Firefox OS that you are developing? I could be wrong, but I don't think the Firefox app for Android supports all APIs that Firefox OS supports.

    3. Re:Expensive by jenningsthecat · · Score: 2

      The more important question is: Why would you develop for FirefoxOS in the first place?

      I dunno - maybe because you want to see a more free, more open mobile OS that you have more control over? One that Google doesn't have a zillion hooks into? One that offers the user more control over the permissions that apps are granted?

      Asking "why would you develop for firefox", (as opposed to Android, Apple, or whatever), is kind of like asking why one would develop for Linux as opposed to Windows.

      --
      'The Economy' is a giant Ponzi scheme whose most pitiable suckers are the youngest among us and the yet-unborn.
  3. Re:LOL by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Physical keyboard is more akin to a standard transmission. In theory more powerful and flexible,but for a lot of regular people, just kind of gets in the way.

    Soft keyboards have gotten good enough I just stopped caring.

    --
    Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
  4. Re:LOL by NotInHere · · Score: 3

    Only because something is newer than something else, it is not neccessarily better.

    A Keyboard is still the fastest way to enter a text. Perhaps one day there will be brain implants that provide more throughput, but until then the keyboard will be the most superior way to enter information.

  5. Re:Price a bit steep for lowest end platform by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I think you missed that this is a developer reference device to allow developers to get cracking before the main market hits.

    There is a certain advantage to having your product available before the mass market adoption of a platform kicks in.

  6. Re:LOL by Desler · · Score: 2

    Then simply buy a bluetooth keyboard and be happy. If hardware keyboards were really as popular as you're trying to insinuate then there would be more phones that have them. The fact of the matter is that you're a niche minority not worth chasing.

  7. I'll be waiting for something without DRM baked in by gQuigs · · Score: 2

    Just FYI, the DRM is only being added to desktop Firefox. Not Firefox OS at this time (they did somewhat leave this open, but have no plans).

  8. Just what we need. Another mobile device OS. by mmell · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Actually, I mean that. More choices, more incentive to improve, more approaches to the same problems.

    As long as it interoperates correctly (cellular/network communications, app/application support, etc.) I'm all for it - but I'll be waiting to hear more than a few firsthand accounts regarding usability before I plunk down my hard earned cash for one.

    Then again, my Android isn't exactly perfect. Neither is my daughter's iPhone. I don't know any Window phone users and I haven't heard a whole lot about Windows phone user experiences, but I don't get the impression that they're perfect either. Maybe with more competing options, somebody will move beyond "good enough" and at least try for "better".

  9. Re:One big PLUS by chefmonkey · · Score: 2

    Unless you're Japanese:

    Mozilla has ensured that unlike Google devices, non-US developers won’t be deprived of the devices. The phone will be shipped free of cost anywhere in the world except for Japan

    This is all explained in plain language here: http://www.mozilla.jp/firefox/...

    Can't read that? Then it's probably not your concern. The short version is that government certification is pending, and interested parties are being prompted to sign up for an email notification when the Japanese government finally signs off on the devices.