Virtual reality (VR) is all the hype. It allows the next step of human–computer interaction, allowing users to go well beyond the screen.
Since Facebook changed its name to Meta, it sent ripples to the entire tech industry. One by one, companies try to embrace the so-called metaverse.
Firefox had what it's called the 'Firefox Reality', a browser dedicated to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
It was an open source web browser that debuted in 2018 for Oculus, Google Daydream, HTC Vive devices, Lenovo Mirage Solo, Microsoft HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality devices, among others.
Apparently, the project didn't last long.
Mozilla is discontinuing the browser, simply because the project only targeted a very specific niche market that for Mozilla, wasn't generating sufficient user interest.
Instead of further developing the project, Mozilla is handing it over to Igalia with a "somewhat beta" browser called Wolvic.
Just like Firefox Reality, Wolvic is using the WebXR standard to enable VR and AR experiences on websites, rather than requiring users to download standalone app.
According to Igalia on its website post, Wolvic's initial focus is to pick up where Firefox Reality leaves off.
it is planning to launch the browser to the Huawei AppGallery and the Oculus app store "very soon," with the promise that "more options will follow" at a later date.
"Firefox Reality was an interesting and important development that began in Mozilla Research while XR devices were still quite young," Igalia said on the Wolvic website. "Since then, more mature standalone devices have entered much wider consumer markets and the Firefox Reality Browser project needed new investment, updates and nurturing."
In other words, the underlying technologies of Firefox Reality shall continue to live, with Mozilla saying that "the Firefox Reality browser technology will continue under Igalia where they will uphold the same principles we started when we created Firefox Reality — an open source browser that respects your privacy."
For its part, Mozilla mentioned that it has plans for the future, hinting the it's not done just yet.
"Mozilla’s mission is to make sure the Internet remains open and accessible to all. Four years ago, we launched Firefox Reality, a browser for mixed reality, and our exploration in browsing in new and emerging realities," wrote Mozilla in a blog post.
"We are excited about Igalia building on the legacy of Firefox Reality and look forward to good things to come from it. At Mozilla, we will continue to invest in new and emerging technologies."
This move is kind of rare.
This is because Mozilla is company known for creating the popular Firefox web browser.
While Firefox Reality isn't the Firefox most people use, it was a project that is in line with the upcoming trend, spearheaded by Meta and some others. And Mozilla is willingly giving up the project, after it previously admitted that it needed to carefully manage its resources as it downsized over the years.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic and in mid-pandemic, the company has endured multiple rounds of layoffs, citing a "refocus" as its strategy.