Firefox for Android

Explore the architectural evolution of Firefox for Android in this JSConf talk. Discover how the Mozilla team transitioned from a XUL-based UI to a native Android interface, addressing challenges in startup time, responsiveness, and memory usage. Learn about the hybrid approach that combines Gecko rendering with a custom JSON message loop for communication between JavaScript logic and the Java-based UI. Gain insights into the implementation of add-on support through JS APIs, allowing developers to manipulate the native interface. Understand the motivations behind the redesign, the technical hurdles overcome, and opportunities for involvement in the project, including creating JavaScript-based add-ons. Ideal for developers interested in mobile browser development, performance optimization, and cross-platform application architecture.