Mozilla halts Firefox for Windows Mobile efforts

LAS VEGAS--Open-source software development initiative Mozilla said it will cease work on optimizing its Mozilla Web browser for the Windows Mobile platform, citing Microsoft's decision to close off native application development for its forthcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system.

"We know that the underlying platform for Windows Phone 7 is Windows CE 6, which is a big step up from the kernel used by Windows Mobile 6.5. Windows CE 6 is a platform that we have been developing towards, and already run well on, leaving us well positioned to have an awesome browser on Windows Phone 7," wrote Mozilla mobile team technical lead Stuart Parmenter on his blog. "While we think Windows Phone 7 looks interesting and has the potential to do well in the market, Microsoft has unfortunately decided to close off development to native applications. Because of this, we won't be able to provide Firefox for Windows Phone 7 at this time." Parmenter added that he expects Mozilla will be able to repurpose much of its Windows Mobile work for other platforms.

"We're hopeful Microsoft will change its mind, but I don't have high confidence they'll open up soon," said Mozilla Vice President of Mobile Jay Sullivan in an interview with FierceMobileContent. "They seem serious about pushing people to do Silverlight and XNA instead."

For more on Mozilla's Windows Mobile decision:
- read this blog entry 

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