The iPhone is one of the biggest products currently on the market. Since the day it was released it has seen amazing sales result and it shows no signs of slowing down. So why would anyone turn down the chance to get their software distributed on the wildly popular iPhone? Mozilla had a technology summit to discuss the opportunities that Apple’s iPhone presents for Mozilla’s Firefox browser. Firefox is one of the most popular internet browsers, which offers a stunning combination of accessibility, functionality, and design, which would bring a whole new level of internet browsing to Apple’s iPhone. However, John Lilly, Mozilla’s CEO, and Mike Schropfer, Mozilla’s Vice President of Engineering have both said that the development limitations and requirements made by Apple. The iPhone




is too restrictive and the limitations put in place have caused Mozilla to abandon any hope of developing Firefox for the iPhone.

iPhone

Apple has already been heavily criticized for the limitations put on third party developments, and this only adds insult to injury for Apple. Further more, Mozilla needs to acquire a license from Apple allowing for Firefox running on the iPhone. Currently, Apple forbids programs that interpret code themselves without using Apple’s APIs, making it impossible for Mozilla to release Firefox browser for the iPhone. Mozilla will instead aim for more open platforms, such as Android. For whatever the reasons, Apple’s limitations on software development may be cause for greater problems down the road, as more developers are put down by these limitations.

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  • One Comment to “Mozilla Turns Down iPhone”

    1. on 04 Apr 2008 at 5:57 pmexNewt

      “…making it impossible for Mozilla to release Firefox browser for the iPhone.”

      So if it’s impossible, why the article? I’d bet it’s “impossible” to see Internet Explorer and Photoshop on the iPhone as well!!

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