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FirefoxOS-Based Matchstick Project Ends; All Money To Be Refunded

Posted by samzenpus on from the end-of-the-line dept.

Kohenkatz writes: Matchstick, a project built on FirefoxOS that aimed to compete with Google's Chromecast, which was initially funded on Kickstarter, is shutting down and will be refunding all pledges. In a post to Kickstarter backers today, they announced that this decision was due to the difficulty of implementing the DRM components that are necessary for access to a lot of paid content. Rather than drag out the project on an unknown schedule, they have decided to end the project.

11 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. The Firefox OS project needs to be terminated. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's unbelievable how pretty much everything relating to Firefox OS is a total, unmitigated disaster.

    We know that Mozilla has poured a huge amount of resources into its development. These are resources that could have been put to better use, like by improving desktop Firefox, the only product of theirs that really sees any actual use these days. Every cent put into Firefox OS has been, in my opinion, a complete waste. Their willingness to put money and effort toward Firefox OS in the first place is why I will no longer donate to Mozilla.

    The most scathing review I've ever read about a phone and its software involved Firefox OS. Having read probably thousands of reviews, that one sticks out in my mind for just how pathetic the problems were. Some people will blame it on the hardware, but many of the complaints revolved around Firefox OS, and would be a problem regardless of the hardware being used.

    Then there's the whole issue of Firefox OS choosing the limited, rather shitty JavaScript/HTML/CSS stack as its only option. It's really bad when people refer to apps written using those technologies as being "native" apps just because the platform is so awful that it doesn't support anything resembling real native code or even proper bytecode of some form.

    Now we have this, which is yet another failure directly associated with Firefox OS.

    Mozilla, why do you keep dragging out the Firefox OS project? When we look at the big picture, it is not positive at all! Firefox OS is being rejected in the market place. It's uninspiring compared to its competitors, even when compared to what the competitors were capable of years ago. Failure surrounds the project. It wastes valuable resources.

    Like the Slashdot Beta, sometimes it's better to cut your losses as early as possible. Firefox OS is clearly one of those cases. Sometimes failures happen, and when they do, it's best to move on quickly. So Mozilla, please, finally put an end to the Firefox OS project. Direct the resources toward something useful. Please!

    1. Re:The Firefox OS project needs to be terminated. by narcc · · Score: 4, Insightful

      FirefoxOS is an extremely important project, right up there with the browser at the time it was conceived.

      As for the OS itself, years ago, there really wasn't much to say. It's improved dramatically since those early releases on low-end hardware. Check out some of the 2.5 demos. It's really something. What will really amaze you, of course, are the customization features you'll likely never find on other platforms.

      As this is about the Matchstick, and you seem to like scathing reviews, take a look at this FXOS vs Android head-to-head in the smart TV arena. Needless to say, I was looking forward to the Matchstick.

      When we look at the big picture, it is not positive at all!

      I know. Google's spyware, Apples walled garden, it's a nightmare! That's why FXOS is so important. The mobile space needs an open platform and, most importantly, an open app package standard that anyone can implement. Users benefit by being able to keep their apps even when switching platforms and new platforms benefit from a wealth of apps ready to go from day one.

      When you have a really good thing, you don't "cut your losses" simply because some kickstarter project didn't want to see another delay. It's not like the backers were consulted. I'd have voted to wait an extra year, if necessary, to get my hands on the thing. After all, I funded the project to support FXOS, not because I was interested in the matchstick. I know how important it is, and what it can do for mobile.

      --
      Required reading for internet skeptics
  2. Re: Why not just forgo paid content? by amiga3D · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's a chicken and the egg thing. I bought lots of DRM content for many years. My asshole hurt and I got tired of MPAA and RIAA sperm and my blood dribbling down the backs of my legs so I stopped.

  3. Backers don't want DRM by adisakp · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If you read the comments on the project, nearly all of the recent comments are backers that would be perfectly happy with a device that didn't have any DRM. Why don't they just completely the device development as is and skip the DRM? It's what most of their backers want anyhow.

    1. Re:Backers don't want DRM by NaCh0 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Because the vast majority of people saying they want a device without DRM don't understand that all of the CONTENT that they want (netflix, hulu, amazon video, etc) is using DRM.

      So while firefox was smart enough to end a product that will be universally panned by reviewers, they are stupid to think that they can copy whatever Google does.

    2. Re:Backers don't want DRM by CanEHdian · · Score: 2

      Because the vast majority of people saying they want a device without DRM don't understand that all of the CONTENT that they want (netflix, hulu, amazon video, etc) is using DRM.

      Yeah, right. I guess we all understand around here that a lot of the content they want (YouTube, *Tube, D:\Downloads\Videos\) is not using DRM.

      --
      When the copyright term is "forever minus a day", live every day like it's the last.
    3. Re:Backers don't want DRM by narcc · · Score: 2

      You do know that while the Matchstick ran FXOS, it was not a Mozilla project, right?

      --
      Required reading for internet skeptics
    4. Re:Backers don't want DRM by steveg · · Score: 2

      If you read the comments on the kickstarter, most of the people who are saying "We never wanted DRM" have specific reasons for wanting a non-DRM device. Mostly having to do with playing from their own internal sources.

      None of those were interested in Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon etc. for *this* device. Several commented that there are inexpensive devices available for that kind of content if they wanted it, but that wasn't why they backed this project.

      So you're wrong that most of them did not understand what they wanted.

      --
      Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.
  4. Re: Why not just forgo paid content? by amiga3D · · Score: 2

    I still remember the good old days of Electronic Arts games on the C-64. I bought one that literally hammered my 1541 disk drive into misalignment. Over 5 minutes to load the game when games without DRM loaded in less than a minute. The funny thing is, it did absolutely nothing to stop piracy. It ruined the experience only for the people that purchased the legitimate software. I still have an old C64 setup and that very game with the bullshit stripped out of it loads in 38 seconds. I buy books from Baen online. They publish their books with no DRM whatsoever in any format you care for. Epub, PDF, RTF, HTML, and several others. I love giving them my money because what I buy is usable on any device I want to use it on. I bought a book from Amazon once and that was the last time. I wont buy crippled shit anymore.

  5. No Netflix, No Sale. by westlake · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This would be an excellent example of Mozilla not being willing to compromise their principles to satisfy the media conglomerates obsession with DRM.

    I know this always come as a shock to the geek, but without access to subscription services, protected media content, HD video and theatrical quality sound, you do not have a commercially viable product.

    Best Buy has the Amazon Fire Stick on sale for $25.

  6. Re:Kickstarter refunds? by moronoxyd · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually: Not that nice at all.

    The original plan was to release a Matchstick without DRM support. That version was ready to go in production and that was the version that the Kickstarter backers pledged to support.

    But some months in, when the original product should already have been in production, Matchstick decided to revise their plans and to redesign the hardware to support DRM. So the backers where told that they would receive a different product then originally announced at a later date.

    This was when I decided to get out and asked for my money back.
    Todays announcement shows me I was right.

    Matchstick should have stayed with their original plan and added DRM vor version 2.