Is your phone free? The OpenMoko project has debuted what could be the ultimate geek handset: a Linux-based mobile phone, complete with an open-source operating system and application suite. The Neo 1973 handset, which starts at $300, has been under development for the last six months. OpenMoko encourages developers to get their hands dirty by …
...in that it's EDGE only. {SIGH!} When will they release the version with HSDPA (not that it works worth a damn here in at&t land) or, better yet, with CDMA so I can at least get 2.9G service from Sprint's EVDO network?
Until then, I think I'll make a cardboard cut-out and keep it on my cube wall...as a reminder of what might be...
Looks quite a good phone with some interesting ideas. The Sharp Zaurus was a great idea - I had one and the quality of the software was really quite good. Unfortunately the developer effort let it down a bit and I was forced back to Palm. I don't think it'll ever be a Nokia-killer but at least it shows some more imaginative thinking beyond adding more cameras/MP3 players and other crap to a phone.
I've been waiting months to get my hands on one. Now they're released I have mine ordered. It's going to be fantastic to finally get hold of one. There's the potential for so much. Imagine being able to set your phone to change ringtone to the mother in law's favourite tune when you visit their house. There are just so many uses available for the blend of integrated devices that this phone will nowt but succeed for the developers. It's just a case of working on the UI to make it a consumer 'must have' when it comes out in October/November.
Until they STOP putting silly touchscreen keyboards on these things, I will refuse to buy one. I have had 2 touchscreen only phones in the past and both times the onscreen keyboard has turned out to be the biggest pile of dung in the world. Its just the fact there is a total lack of feedback that makes typing any message pretty much impossible.
not sure if the current 'vibe' control is fine tuned enough for just a single knock but a good first step would be as short a buzz as possible on key presses. Then, get FIC to mod the vibe control for a knock pulse before the consumer release and they'll probably win over some customers and maybe the press with a touchscreen keyboard with feedback.
In the meantime, someone who's got one of these should implement it before Microsoft patents it.
I'm no foaming-at-the-mouth rabid Apple fanboy, and in fact usually put function over form. But why, oh why, could they not have made it look like any other plain, boring, normal phone? That thing is just hideous. And let me tell you, in mixed company, "it runs Linux" will hardly work as an excuse to justify that.
"I mainly use a Windows Smartphone for GPS. If this gets some GPS software it would be useful. If not then I'll get a Tomtom unit."
Tomtom one was/is Linux based. In fact Openmoko uses some of the GPL code written and released by Tomtom.
I give it a week before you can download a version of TT for this beauty.
I put my order in within hours of the announcement. I can ditch my horrible WM5 device - well the hardware is ok, but the software (TT aside) sucks big time. Let UPS gods deliver my FIC1973 quickly!
I saw these a month ago. Looking at downloading developement emultaor to put decent linux-based handwriting recognition on it.
The cool thing is that, as it's completely open, it can do whatever you want. The release version will even have 2 3D accelerometers, which could make it usable as a computer mouse. It will also have a 3D graphics chipset, so I'm thinking ports of some decent opensource opengl games will be in the offing. OOh, maybe a port of TuxRacer :D (penguin racing down a snowy hill on its belly)
It is the essence of open source, with even the hardware specs open (except a few bits they cant), so your realy can do anything with it. And at $450 for the release version with GPS/3G etc, its a bargain.
And to those that dont like the look, I personaly think its smooth, sleek, and simple, although I would prefer it not being quite so rounded at the ends. May have to build my own case for it :D
It looks kinda cool! , and I doubt very much it will have much of a battery replacement problem unlike the Jobs Cupertino model
And since it is a GPL3 license , no hidden unwanted extras or open back windows , since Linux is by it's very nature one of the more secure OS, and the source code is readily available for the curious ones!
As for car names , why do you think the Paris Dakar rally winning titanium chassis carbon fibre body shell plastic fantastic Mitsubishi Pajero as sold in a number of English speaking countries but is re-badged as a Montero or Shogun in the many countries that speak Spanish (hint it is the Spanish word for wanker)
Given a choice who indeed wouldn't go for a smart phone with similar features but not locked to some of the less than reliable mobile phone networks and expensive fixed term 2 year contracts and half the price of hidden DRM'd Cupertino units
The phone is GSM, and so AFAIK Sprint being CDMA, it won't work on them. Try T-mobile or AT&T in the USA.
Also, don't worry about an operator rejecting it, just take any SIM card from an existing contract, or a PAYG SIM and pop it in and voila!
AFAIK operators do not do effectively a "User-Agent ID" check on the phone model it's normally the phone that prevents you registering with non-allowed providers which locks the phone. Even if they did do a check, how long do you think it would take someone to change this phone to report itself as a Nokia :P
Telcos offer affordable 3G flat fees in so many countries.. why would i like to buy a brand new phone and still had to suffer from often even more expensive GSM data connection?
No, i'm sorry, i am soo looking forward having a free phone with linux and the OpenMoko looks just as the right thing to buy, but I won't buy one until it supports 3G.
Alexander Hanff claimed above that the enduser model should support 3G.. can you prove that? I haven't seen that in the specs for the October release.
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