VR version Firefox 'Firefox Reality' is no longer available, successor software is 'Wolvic'

Mozilla, which develops Firefox as a web browser, has announced that it will end the provision of the VR / AR environment dedicated browser 'Firefox Reality', baton touch the development project to an external team, and restart it with a new name. The successor is Igalia, an open source software consultancy, which plans to release a browser ' Wolvic ' that uses the source code of Firefox Reality.

Update on Firefox Reality
https://blog.mozilla.org/en/mozilla/news/update-on-firefox-reality/

Introducing Wolvic | Igalia
https://www.igalia.com/2022/02/03/Introducing-Wolvic.html

The Firefox Reality development project was launched in 2018 and is available for free on VR platforms such as Viveport, Oculus and Daydream.

Mozilla releases VR-optimized browser 'Firefox Reality'-GIGAZINE

Firefox Reality is not just a web browser, it is characterized by being developed to provide web browsing unique to VR space that provides a user experience different from ordinary PCs and smartphones, and it is an entrance to touch web-based VR content. It was also working as.

Mozilla, which was also involved in the development of WebVR API and WebXR Device API , has positioned the transfer of the Firefox Reality project to Igalia as 'a natural evolution of Firefox Reality', an organization that can grow Firefox Reality and contribute to the web. It states that it was entrusted to Igalia. In addition, like Firefox Reality, Wolvic will be developed as an open source browser.

According to Igalia, the name 'Wolvic' comes from Wolf (wolf). 'Browsers have a tradition of being associated with animals. Firefox is a fox, Brave uses a lion for its icons, and some browsers have puma or dolphin motifs,' Igalia said. We have revealed that we named it Wolvic with the desire to maintain the health of the ecosystem on the web as well as being an important organism to do so. Of course, he also considered that the name looked cool and that the domain was available.

You can see what kind of browser Wolvic is by watching the following movie. Wolvic's UI is almost the same as Firefox Reality.

Introducing Wolvic XR Trailer # 1-YouTube


'The Firefox Reality project aims to give users choice and maintain strong, open and unlimited access to the web on VR or AR devices,' said Brian Cardel, developer advocate at Igalia. The idea is at the heart of Igalia's work. We are excited to be able to inherit the pilot fire for developing Wolvic from Firefox Reality. Together with Mozilla, to keep the web ecosystem healthy. I will support you. '

In addition, Firefox Reality will be removed from the app store of each platform by the end of February 2022.