Mobile

Trying to debug problems in Fennec while running on a mobile device can be a pain. Using the JavaScript Error Console is one way you can track down problems, especially JS coding errors. Some applications, like Firefox, have a UI to launch the Error Console. Other applications don’t. You might not know this, but any Mozilla-based application automatically supports displaying and using the Error Console. Simply launch the application using the -jsconsole command line flag, and the Error Console will open.

Fennec nightly builds for Windows Mobile and Maemo have been available for some time now. Recently, we decided to make nightly desktop builds of Fennec available as well. The desktop builds can be used to test add-ons and localizations with the most up-to-date code changes.

Mozilla Japan and Clear Code held a mobile developer camp (translated) over the weekend. Fennec has been lucky to have several Japanese coders helping out for a while now. The DevCamp added even more contributors!

Performance is very critical in Fennec, the mobile version of Firefox. Every feature, every aspect of appearance, every piece of code… is all judged by the impact on performance. We’re lucky to have automated performance tests for Maemo and we’re close to getting the same tests working for Windows Mobile.

We have added more information to the small, but growing collection of Fennec-specific add-on developer resources. If you’re interested in building add-ons for Fennec, here’s a list of resources you might find helpful:

Mozdev and Mozilla Europe have teamed up to create a Firefox Mobile (Fennec) Add-ons Challenge. The goal is to create or port add-ons to Fennec. You only need to propose a concept for now, but you’ll need to get the add-on ready for the upcoming Mozilla/Maemo developer weekend in Copenhagen on May 30-31.

We released Fennec 1.0 Beta 1 for Maemo! Go read Stuart’s announcement for a good overview of the release. Be sure to watch Madhava’s video walkthrough too. Like Stuart, I am now using Fennec as the default browser on my N810 tablet. We have reached a solid milestone for performance and stability.