Firefox OS is officially dead as Mozilla shuts down connected devices group

Mozilla has laid off its team of 50 members responsible for its connected devices group that were responsible for the failed Firefox OS.According to a statement given to CNET, "We have shifted our internal approach to the internet-of-things opportunity to step back from a focus on launching and scaling commercial products to one focused on research and advanced development, dissolving our connected devices initiative and incorporating our internet-of-things explorations into an increased focus on emerging technologies."Even senior vice president Ari Jaaksi, in charge of connected devices, and Bertrand Neveux, director of the group's software, have left the company.Mozilla launched Firefox OS back in 2013 and managed to get several device partnerships with carriers for emerging markets. IT even managed to launch devices made by Spice, ZTE and Intex in India running on the OS. However the OS couldn't sustain itself in the long run. In December 2015 had moved on to bring Firefox OS for Internet of Things devices, which led to a partnership with Panasonic for its 4K smart TV, but that didn't last very long either.It is surprising however that despite struggling to move beyond the desktop browser, which is dominated by Chrome as well as low adoption of its mobile browser, the company saw record revenues in 2015.