Mozilla has the Firefox on Metro-project was announced. The browserbouwer wants to be next to a ‘classic’ Firefox that is designed for the desktop also to create a version that is specifically focused on the Metro interface of Windows 8.
To Firefox on Metro to get it, will Mozilla, the necessary adjustments need to make to the source code of its browser. First of all, the Gecko engine has sufficient rights to be able to the existing library files to be able to speak within the strict permission system of Metro. So-called “medium integrity” rights for the browser code would be sufficient for that purpose. So it must be prevented that a large part of the already existing code must be rewritten or ported.
Mozilla will also have to make a choice of how the front end of a Metro-version can be built. This is within Metro possible with xul, C/C++, or a combination of html, css and javascript. Furthermore, there are still adjustments are required among other for the three display modes of Metro by Microsoft snap states are called, and a properly functioning standby-mode if Firefox is not running. In addition, the Mozilla developers with the necessary time to invest in the optimisation of the interface for a smooth touch screen control.
The customizations that Firefox will need for the desktop mode of Windows 8 will, according to Mozilla probably be limited to: a small update of the existing code should be sufficient. A disadvantage is, however, that a ‘classic’ Firefox will not run in the Metro gui, an interface that Microsoft as one of the most important innovations in the upcoming Windows 8.
Mozilla hopes that in the second quarter of this year a proof of concept to show of Firefox on Metro. The alpha and beta versions should appear in the second half of 2012.