# B2G OS

> community-developed successor to Firefox OS

**Wikidata**: [Q48989090](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48989090)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B2G_OS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/b2g-os

## Summary
B2G OS is a community-developed mobile operating system that succeeded Firefox OS, created by Mozilla. It was an open-source successor designed to run on low-cost hardware, emphasizing web compatibility and developer collaboration.

## Key Facts
- **Successor to Firefox OS**: B2G OS was developed as a community-driven continuation of Firefox OS, inheriting its web-centric design.
- **Open-source license**: Released under the Mozilla Public License, allowing free use and modification.
- **Based on Firefox OS**: Built upon the same Linux-based foundation as Firefox OS, maintaining web compatibility.
- **Community-driven development**: Maintained by the Mozilla community after Firefox OS was discontinued.
- **Logo**: The official logo is available at [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/B2G_logo.png).
- **Website**: Official documentation and resources were hosted at [Mozilla’s B2G wiki](https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G) (last updated 2018-07-14).
- **Source code**: The project’s codebase is archived on [GitHub](https://github.com/mozilla-b2g/B2G).
- **Aliases**: Also known as "Boot to Gecko OS."

## FAQs
### Q: What was B2G OS, and how was it different from Firefox OS?
A: B2G OS was a community-developed successor to Firefox OS, continuing its web-based approach but with a focus on open-source collaboration. It retained Firefox OS’s core architecture but was maintained independently after Mozilla discontinued Firefox OS.

### Q: Who developed B2G OS, and when was it active?
A: B2G OS was developed by the Mozilla community, with its last known activity in 2018. It succeeded Firefox OS, which was launched in February 2013.

### Q: Where can I find B2G OS’s source code?
A: The source code is available on [GitHub](https://github.com/mozilla-b2g/B2G), though the project is no longer actively maintained.

### Q: Was B2G OS compatible with Firefox OS apps?
A: Yes, B2G OS inherited Firefox OS’s web-based architecture, ensuring compatibility with web apps and services.

### Q: What happened to B2G OS after 2018?
A: The project was discontinued, and its development shifted to KaiOS, another mobile OS focused on low-cost devices.

## Why It Matters
B2G OS played a crucial role in the evolution of open-source mobile operating systems, particularly for low-cost devices. As a successor to Firefox OS, it aimed to provide a web-first alternative to proprietary systems like Android and iOS. Its community-driven development model demonstrated the potential for collaborative innovation in the mobile space. However, its discontinuation marked the end of an era for Firefox OS’s legacy, shifting focus to KaiOS as the primary open-source successor.

## Notable For
- **Open-source continuation**: B2G OS was one of the few open-source mobile OS projects to succeed Firefox OS.
- **Web-centric design**: It retained Firefox OS’s focus on web compatibility, making it ideal for web-based applications.
- **Community-driven**: Unlike Firefox OS, which was maintained by Mozilla, B2G OS was developed by a broader community.
- **Low-cost hardware support**: Designed to run on affordable devices, similar to Firefox OS’s original vision.
- **Archived legacy**: Its source code remains available for historical reference, showcasing early open-source mobile development.

## Body
### Origins and Development
B2G OS emerged as a community-driven project to continue Firefox OS after Mozilla’s discontinuation. It inherited Firefox OS’s core architecture, which was based on the Linux kernel and designed for web compatibility. The project was licensed under the Mozilla Public License, ensuring open access and modification.

### Technical Features
B2G OS maintained Firefox OS’s web-centric design, allowing seamless execution of web applications. It supported HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, making it a viable alternative for developers. The operating system was optimized for low-cost hardware, aligning with Firefox OS’s original goal of democratizing mobile technology.

### Community and Discontinuation
The project was maintained by the Mozilla community, with contributions from developers worldwide. However, by 2018, B2G OS was no longer actively developed, and its legacy was carried forward by KaiOS, another open-source mobile OS. The project’s source code remains archived on GitHub, serving as a historical record of early open-source mobile development.

### Legacy and Impact
B2G OS represented a significant step in the open-source mobile OS movement, demonstrating the feasibility of community-driven development. While it did not achieve widespread adoption, it contributed to the broader ecosystem of open-source alternatives to proprietary systems. Its discontinuation marked the end of Firefox OS’s active development, shifting focus to KaiOS as the primary open-source successor.

## References

1. [Source](https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G/FAQ)
2. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/mozilla-b2g/B2G)