I believe an alternative mobile ecosystem not centrally controlled like iOS and Android, but rather with a standardised core and fragmentation / innovation on top is a very exciting model. It's working great for the web, why is mobile fundamentally any different? It beats having to program every application three times from scratch to reach a full market.
How are you going to counteract the interests of Apple/Google and other established players, who are going to hold onto their turf with all the power the network effect will give them?
The biggest missing piece of the puzzle is a webapp store that enables distribution, promotion, and monetization. And you don't even need a native app for this, as the "webapp store" could just as easily be a web page, thereby surpassing e.g. Apple's and Google's 30% cut (what are they going to do, block the web page?).
It's a long shot, but if Mozilla can pull it off it would be a huge leap for openness and consumer choice.
I think you meant 'bypassing'.
I know for a fact that this can be attempted in iOS. I bought a Chinese iPad 2, and it has google.com blocked.
If web standards now are getting performant and expressive enough to compete with dedicated, close-to-the-metal, technology stacks on mobile then the altruistic incentives of the web ecosystem might be enough. The incumbents have their incentives less aligned with users.
I'm not convinced Google will crush attempts at making the web a first class citizen on phones. After having pushed and developed the web for so long I think they already see it as their turf.
Truly open might be messy and a little scary for some people but it means that diversity and open access can thrive.
Android only goes part way towards this idea while still trying to maintain control and influence over several key (money making) parts (I don't blame them). This hybrid approach to being open however doesn't sit well with all users.
Instead of spending time making apps you spend time porting.
Each modified version also has its own proprietary market.
My question is, how will Firefox OS prevent this same problem with a 100% open system
Also what has been done to make sure they can update any handset running Firefox OS independent of the manufactures and service providers?