Page 16 - Mobile World Daily - Day One

FEATURED INTERVIEW | MOZILLA

Li Gong,
President of Mozilla

Firefox OS
powers up

In less than two years, Mozilla has greatly expanded the reach of Firefox OS,
extending to nearly 30 countries on 16 smartphones. These include the
world’s most affordable smartphone, launched by Cherry Mobile in the
Philippines, and the new mid-range Fx0 launched by KDDI in Japan. The
recently announced Panasonic Ultra HD 4K TV powered by Firefox OS is
another avenue of growth. Mobile World Daily caught up with Li Gong,
President of Mozilla, who oversees the strategic development of Firefox OS.

MOBILE WORLD DAILY (MWD): demonstrate that Firefox OS is increasingly MWD: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED LG: There are still billions of people who
HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE penetrating across different markets and form FROM USERS AS YOU BRING NEW don’t have access to the Web. As part of our
MOMENTUM YOU'VE ACHIEVED IN factors, putting us in a strong position to grow FIREFOX OS DEVICES TO MARKET? mission to promote openness, innovation and
THE LAST YEAR AND HOW DOES the ecosystem in the next year. opportunity online, we’re working with the
THAT SET YOU UP FOR THE NEXT LG: We are always learning from our users. GSMA to explore potential solutions to
STAGE OF FIREFOX OS MWD: CHERRY MOBILE IN THE Mozilla is completely focused on empowering connect more people, services and devices
DEVELOPMENT? PHILIPPINES DELIVERED ON THE people and we listen to the user’s needs for and put the power of the Web in more
PROMISE OF A NEW ULTRA LOW different products and in different markets. people’s hands.
Li Gong (LG): Firefox OS is proving the COST CATEGORY OF PHONE, WHICH
flexibility of the Web as the platform by WAS FIRST RAISED AT MWC LAST For example, when we first did our market For example, we have run initial field tests
enabling operators, hardware manufacturers, YEAR. IS THIS AS LOW IN PRICE AS A research in emerging markets we noticed a in Kenya, Brazil, Bangladesh and India. In
users and developers to have more control. GOOD FIREFOX OS EXPERIENCE CAN recurring theme. For many people, a Firefox Bangladesh we did research to see what types
We define success by the people, standards, GO? OS smartphone would be their first of apps people would create if they could
industries and technologies that benefit from computing device. As the complexity of easily do so. We discovered that the DIY or
the power of the Web. LG: It is an exciting challenge to provide smartphones continues to increase, we felt it ‘maker’ spirit is very important to
the features that make a great user was important to focus our efforts on building Bangladeshis. Their feedback is helping us
With the help of our partners, the number experience at a price that traditionally puts an easy-to-use first experience with features adapt our suite of Webmaker tools to
of Firefox OS smartphones and countries these out of reach. The Cherry Mobile ACE those users asked for and features that would empower more users to build for the Web.
they are available in has almost doubled since proved that with Firefox OS it is possible to improve their lives and meet their needs, such
last year, from the world’s most affordable build a durable ultra-low cost smartphone as an FM radio to stay connected, a flashlight Firefox OS is designed to be customizable
smartphone in the Philippines, to the mid- that supports dual-SIM, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for safety or a simple cost control app to and remove the gatekeepers who stunt
range Fx0 phone from KDDI in Japan and the features. This goes to prove the versatility of monitor usage. innovation and creation on other platforms.
debut of three ultra low cost phones in India, the OS which continues to be demonstrated Ultimately, we are looking to build a group of
one of the fastest growing mobile markets. now across other devices. The flexibility of Firefox OS means we can mobile operators, device manufacturers,
continue to customize solutions for users educators, international development donors
These and other developments all based on local needs. We’re excited to evolve and NGOs who are devoted to positively
Firefox OS with our local community, changing the future of online life.
“Firefox OS is proving the partners and users as it expands across more
flexibility of the Web as the platform” device categories and to new regions with MWD: HOW HAVE YOU BEEN HELPING
new market needs. DEVELOPERS EXPLORE THE
POTENTIAL OF FIREFOX OS IN THE
MWD: WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN LAST YEAR?
MADE IN YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE GSMA TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF LG: The release of the Firefox OS Flame
LOCALLY RELEVANT CONTENT reference device last June enabled more
ACCESSIBLE THROUGH MOBILE developers, software testers, localizers and
DEVICES? early adopters around the world to

PAGE 16 Monday 2nd March MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS DAILY 2015 | www.mobileworldcongress.com