Mozilla has abandoned a project to design a $25 smartphone that would use its Firefox OS web-based mobile operating system..
CNet has obtained a letter sent by new Mozilla CEO Chris Beard to the Firefox OS community detailing a change in strategy for the OS.
In the letter, Beard states that the company has “not seen sufficient traction for a $25 phone.” The company plans instead to compete with archrival Android by pursuing the design of Firefox OS devices powerful enough to be used as a primary phone.
Detailing the new Ignite initiative, Beard said the company plans to focus more on the user experience, rather than simply price.
One project being considered is extending the platform to add support for native Android apps, while maintaining a focus on web-based apps.
Mozilla launched Firefox OS in 2013 with an initial 18 mobile operator partnerships. But the company will have an uphill battle to challenge the dominance of Android and iOS.
The company unveiled a prototype of its $25 smartphone in February last year.