Mozilla shelves Metro version of Firefox

Announcement is here.

The reason:

Translation: Just about nobody uses the environment. Make of it what you will, but here's Thurrott's take:

 

I've personally heard this complaint regarding some older proprietary software that is a *must* in our work environment...

Honestly, I expected to hear more complaints along those lines...but Mozilla's blog confirmed it.

And this...execution...for a lack of better word...

Especially coming from a team that makes sure that its browser is a default one in just about every and any obscure Linux distro...it simply must hurt.

 

My translation: not a lot of people were beta testing the Firefox metro browser beta, because on touch devices IE11 Metro is pretty darned superb, because they hadn't well publicized that they were even doing a public beta, and because Firefox has been in a decline in recent years anyway (and thus has less of a loyal fanbase).

That said, if they had publicized that they needed more beta testers, I would have gladly taken it on just to see if they could surpass IE11 Metro. Pulling the plug because of lack of participation in a public beta, without any warning, is a disappointing move.

 

When I saw this on ArsTechnica a day or two ago, my first thought was FF has a modern UI version???? Then, it was IE11 is fine anyways. I still think it's pretty clear that MS' mobile environment needs work and that it isn't seeing mass adoption either.

 

That seems like an odd reason. Firefox has about 20% of the market share, it's not like it's peanuts like Opera. And users of Firefox seem they'd seek out Firefox for Metro, at least I know I would. People have to purposely download and install Firefox for desktop even though IE is part of the OS, and they'd have to do the same for Metro. Users of Firefox likely want the desktop browser anyhow.

 

I had thrown out a few different reasons. One core one was that they hadn't even publicized that they'd released a public beta and making a final version was contingent on widespread participation in the beta! Like tijo, I didn't even know about the beta, and I routinely check the Windows app store to see what's new.

 

unless you're on an RT device, i see absolutely no benefit to be gained from running any web browser in metro/modern mode -- and even then i'd be using IE on the desktop.

 

Better touch controls and better optimization for a small screen when you're not multitasking. IE11 Metro allows you to flick left to go back, flick the bottom to bring up tabs and most-recently-visited sites, control settings through the charms menu instead of a touch-unfriendly desktop menu, etc. Whether you're using a Dell Venue 8 Pro, a Thinkpad 8, a Surface Pro, or even an 11"-12" convertible in tablet mode, the Metro version of IE11 generally gives you a better user experience.

On my Duo 11, I typically use the Metro mode for recreational browsing (whether the keyboard is folded or unfolded), and reserve IE11 Desktop for work. On my F23 (16" non-touch), I never use IE11 Metro.

 

touch controls? yea, i suppose -- but "better optimization for a small screen when you're not multitasking" sounds sales pitchy and like something i can do in any browser with F11, 'mode' notwithstanding. (plus it feels like i'm never not multitasking when on any of my devices.) i can also do all of the gestures you've mentioned plus more with my logi T650 in any desktop browser, and probably any metro/modern browser too (even though i've not tested any). it's probably atypical, but i prefer to touch even the traditional, touch-unfriendly UIs and don't see any benefit to be gained (i should clarify) for me personally from using the metro/modern browser variants.

 

The traditional UI is too small to effectively use touch on a screen 11" or smaller unless you're either using a stylus or at 150% scaling, and even then it's a little iffy. I have my 11.6" 1080p machine set to 125% scaling on the desktop, and IE Desktop's controls are frankly too small for comfortable finger input.

For heavy multitasking, yes, desktop is best. But for most people's typical casual use (ten minutes of reading your favorite blog, ten minutes of shopping on Amazon, ten minutes of reading Facebook, etc), that's not a deficit.

With the hardware you own and the fact that you're always multitasking, yeah, I don't see a benefit for you personally with IE11 Metro. But for owners of touchscreen devices 11" or smaller, especially with more mainstream usage patterns, IE11 Metro is a very good option.

 

hey now, i have a surface RT too, ya know -- with my RSS reader of choice, amazon, and facebook apps all installed (meaning i know firsthand how inferior those app experiences are)!

Sent from my Lumia 1520 using Tapatalk

 

Publicize? Search "Firefox" is all you need to know.

 

Mozilla is not supporting metro

Another reason why to love this company even more

 

OMG! And with the reasoning here who is to be taken seriously? Why should there be another browser, IE anything is just that good and what not, I just can not stop LOL&RMFAO, the tears just won't stop.

 

I typed "Firefox" in Google and hit enter and I don't see anything about ModernUI/Metro except that it was removed. The Firefox wikipedia page has a single sentence regarding the addition and removal.

Where should I be searching?

 

The point is moot now. You could search 'Firefox' in Windows store and it would bring up the beta, but it's since been removed. Point being is that if you use Firefox, it's not because they advertised, it's just your browser of choice and you have to make an effort to download it. Yet they garner 20% of the marketshare. If you used Firefox on desktop (Win 7 and earlier), but now using MetroUI, seems only to reason you'd see if there was a Firefox browser there as well.

Using Mitlov's reasoning, users would have only been using IE and never anything else regardless of OS.

 

Uh, no, the existence other desktop browsers are common knowledge and widely discussed on any sort of remotely tech-related website. The Firefox Metro beta was not. The cancellation of the beta is the first I'd heard of the beta, and I read ArsTechnica, Engadget, The Verge, NBR, etc on a somewhat regular basis.

 

Tee hee. Another nail in the coffin. I've come to love the disasters surrounding win8 almost as much as i adore win 7.

 

Someone apparently downloaded Firefox from the Microsoft store in July, which in Firefox numbering is several versions ago.

Unable to get the Mozilla Firefox app from the Store to work - Microsoft Community

Desktop apps can certainly be in the store. There's no reason to remove Firefox just because it doesn't have a "Metro" mode.

 

Even Aurora didn't give any notice for the new feature when it came out. I don't even recall how I noticed the feature.