Hello, I am sending this note to solicit feedback and raise visibility of a planned implementation of runtime market customizations with respect to the First Run Experience.
Background: In 1.2, the Systems Front-End team is expanding on the ability to be able to customize the device for local markets. Based on the SIM card inserted into the device (during First Run), certain customizations are applied at runtime including app preloads, wallpaper, ringtone, settings, etc. Many refer to this as single-variant capabilities given that a single build (and therefore hardware SKU) can be shipped to multiple locales (with disparate customization requirements). The goal is to significantly reduce the logistics and costs associated with the OEM managing separate builds for each market, shipping different hardware SKUs to individual locales and also for the operator in being able to rebalance market inventory across locales without needing to reflash the devices. Overall, this makes FxOS more appealing to OEMs from a cost perspective. The Challenge: In working through the implementation options, it became clear that if the customizations were applied at any point (beyond First Run) that the SIM card was inserted there were many corner cases that complicated the solution and also potentially negatively impacted commercialization agreements with respect to app preloads and grid placement (which are monetized). Addressing these corner cases could put delivery of this functionality at risk for 1.2. The Proposed Approach: In order to eliminate the corner cases and simplify the approach (at least in the short term - 1.2), we are looking at the idea of introducing a flag, settable by the OEM (at the operator's request) which would require that the user enter the SIM card in order to complete the First Run. This would not affect (users could complete First Run without a SIM) open market devices or devices for which this restriction was not enabled. Further, while concern was raised that this would prevent OEMs from being able to do random device QA spot checks, the default customization (for SIMs other than the target markets) would apply, allowing the spot checks be be completed. We acknowledge that preventing the user from completing First Run without a SIM (at the operator's request) may impact user choice and sovereignty, so we are open to feedback. Please raise significant concerns with this approach. Thanks, Peter _______________________________________________ dev-b2g mailing list [email protected] https://lists.mozilla.org/listinfo/dev-b2g
