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- microft, on 07/09/2008, -1/+20It won't kill the iPhone, but sure looks fun (at least to a Linux user like myself)
- sontek, on 07/09/2008, -10/+27 omgz omgz omgz, I just ordered mine, *jumps and claps like a little school girl*... 3G iphone killer, right there!
- GIScope, on 07/09/2008, -2/+15OK..when they bring Compiz-Fusion to that OS, it will start to be really really interesting.
- jermm, on 07/09/2008, -1/+10I would need to use one, but that web browser looks really crappy. It's webkit based, so it should be fast, someone just needs to make a better UI. (And it should be skinable out of the box, hopefully in the GUI on the phone)
- skyshock1, on 07/09/2008, -0/+9You think we'll be able to run Android on it as well?
- ProjectGSX, on 07/09/2008, -0/+8I have high hopes for this platform. However, its hardly an iphone killer at this point. The potential is there, though. Part of what makes the iphone so great is the user interface and software is where the moko project has a long way to go.
- Murdats, on 07/09/2008, -2/+8I believe this phone has been in development before the iphone was even a rumour, so it wouldn't have gotten its inspiration from that, infact there are lots of existing touch only smartphones pre-iphone.
the design however does suck and its late to the game, you have 2 new major players and this minor one will just fall by the wayside as the application developers will either stay with windows mobile, be apple fans and move to the iphone, or be open source fans and move to android. - ChayD, on 07/09/2008, -1/+7OpenMoko - Mmm, sounds chocolatey.
- geoken, on 07/09/2008, -0/+5Yeah, that was back when I used to carry a Palm Tungsten, my cellphone and a big Mp3 player.
I don't know what your point is supposed to be? If you want a phone that does nothing but make calls get a Motofone. A brand new unlocked motofone is about $50 bucks, is super-light/thin has incredible reception and has an extremely long lasting battery thanks to it's revolutionary e-paper display. Why complain that people who have different needs from you finally have products that meet those needs? It's not like you can't get your basic phone for cheaper than you've ever been able to. - beatryder, on 07/09/2008, -0/+5Yes, you can. That's the point of the OM. If you wanted you could write your own OS entirely from scratch and install it on the OM.
Even the hardware is open where possible (I think that the radio transmitters/recievers are controlled by the FCC so the details couldn't be released) - DarKnyht, on 07/09/2008, -2/+7That looks like it will be a nice phone. Too bad the data plans for most cell carriers are insanely priced for me.
- Dankoozy, on 07/09/2008, -5/+9The interface actually looks quite nice, too bad its completely touchscreen based. They should definitely make one with a full keyboard.
- Ellipsys, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4I'm excited about the software platform and its potential for development, but I'd like to see the hardware refined a bit. Add 3G support somehow, perhaps unify the 2 tri-band models into a single quad-band one. All these wonderful net-based applications are crap when running on EDGE. A larger screen a graphical/ergonomic redesign of the case could be useful as well - Look at this thing, its awkwardly shaped and has a lot of "useless" space above and below the touch screen, compared to other touch screen phones. Ensure the screen size is 3.5 inches at least, and the thing is thin enough to fit in a pocket. That is one of the reasons that I bought an iPhone - its one of the only smart phones that I can carry around without a case. Not sure if a processor/RAM upgrade is necessary, but it may be helpful. Right now this is a developer curiosity, and while I'd like to buy one to support the efforts of an open source phone, it would be foolish to buy something that I couldn't use as my primary phone because the hardware is insufficient.
- inactive, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4You actually don't need to convince any carrier to support a particular phone, esp. the GSM carriers. This phone comes unlocked out of the box, so just put your existing SIM card in and start using it. No carrier will object, unless there is something wrong with the phone and it's creating a havoc on the network. Kinda like T-Mobile supporting the use of unlocked iPhones on their network ;).
- psud0, on 07/09/2008, -2/+5Looks really very cool.
- JQP123, on 07/09/2008, -1/+4"There are still gaps in completeness and reliability that will deter end users who want a smartphone that just works."
In other words, the iPhone has nothing to worry about --- this is still way behind as far as the average end user is concerned. - bigsteve, on 07/09/2008, -1/+4Digg fails at sarcasm.
- estvir, on 07/09/2008, -4/+7Exactly, what the hell is up with the shape of the phone? They've managed to make a more hideous, convoluted shape of a product compared to the PS3, that's quite a feat.
- RyeBrye, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3The GPS unit is also required to be a binary blob. The reason is that the DOD dictates that a GPS unit can't function above a certain altitude or speed or else they consider it a missile guidance system. (no joke)
http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Hardware:AGPS
(or google ITAR) - zspitfire04, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Android will be better I think.
However they are both going to be open-source, which means in the end, we all win. - lonniebiz, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2How do I buy one?
What are some provider plans that support it?
Someone needs to write a How to, that gets you completely setup and using the phone.
Make it easy for me and I'll buy it and use it. Until then I'll wait. - stix213, on 07/24/2008, -0/+2It doesn't even support EDGE
- groverblue, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3Well, the thing they have going for them is that it's open. So, they don't have to put the time/money into creating apps and such. They simply need to create a platform to enable the community to that for them - which they've done. That leaves more time/money for other things, like hardware design, etc.
- DanBoodro, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Yea, the Openmoko Neo1973 was the pre-Freerunner and was in development far before they showed the first concept images and press images of the iPhone.
- HonoredMule, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Good thing the hardware is completely open and you can side-step the entire cellphone industry--maybe even for voice usage--if WiFi coverage satisfies your needs.
Any service you NEED to be a functioning member of society should be a public service, like roads, and covered by taxation, not the failures of a "free" market. Barring that, at least a "no thanks" option might partially bring free market principles back into play. - fuhrysteve, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Unfortunately they're sold out for the time being @ $400.
"GSM 900 Sold Out!"
http://us.direct.openmoko.com/products/neo-freerun ... - Apocalyptic0n3, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1They can hope for a kickass UI all they want. They are already hurting themselves (in my opinion, at least) with these preview shots because the people seeing them and how bad they look (the GUI at least) are the main group of people they will be aiming to sell the device too - Computer savvy people. The average consumer isn't going to care at all about it being open source or anything like that (unless they clean up the GUI and market it as the cheap iPhone alternative that can be used on any network.)
- maino82, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2anyone know if this will work with pay as you go plans like tracfone? can i just take the sim card out of my tracfone, pop it in here and be off and running?
- mosgjig, on 07/09/2008, -2/+3Resembles Windows Mobile a little too much for my taste.
going with android or iphone instead - bigsteve, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1OpenMoko's GSM radio is unlocked for North American GSM carriers, so whoever Tracfone is working off of (AT&T or T-Mo) will actually be fielding the calls you make.
You'd either be unable to use OTA data, or you'd be charged severely for it. Most likely the former as I don't think Tracfone supports data at all. Anyone know the answer? This point would unfortunately for you be pretty much the reason to get a device like this. - maino82, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Cool thanks for the info. Tracfone has a data plan... 1/3 of a minute for every minute on the web, so adds up quick. i don't use the data much anyway, although i would definitely make use of the wifi and gps.
thanks again! - Residents, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Now this is what I like to see. I don't prefer linux as my computer OS, but devices like this I could very easily adopt linux or any variant. I do so much on a computer I just want to leave its OS the way it is, but phones and PDA's or what not.... dazzle me!
- geoken, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2Great write-up. I've been reading about the freerunner a lot lately (since it is now for sale) and was really confused by the OS choices. This cleared a lot of it up.
- stinkstank, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1And training wheels ... and an AOL gateway ... and ...
- stix213, on 07/24/2008, -0/+1Good luck recompiling that iPhone BSD kernel on your own buddy.
- pyrates, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2This part stands out in the article for me:
There are a multitude of parallel options with many layers and varying degrees of overlap. This provides end users with an enormous amount of flexibility, but it also creates a lot of complexity. The choices are difficult to navigate, and the lack of a cohesive direction contributes to fragmentation and redundancy. OpenMoko's potential for success will be heavily predicated on the ability to turn choice and diversity into an asset rather than an impediment.
And that to me is just stupid in programming design. Why program the same feature or method multiple times? Isn't once enough? Apple is a good example of doing a feature one way and making sure that is the best way to do it. It helps them in the end. Having choice where it gets to the point of confusion is never a good way to go about it. Sure that can translate to competition is good in the economy, but not for designing a single product. Why hasn't linux standardized on the way to do the network configuration yet? Why have more then one way if they all do the same thing? - groverblue, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1GSM only, but :
http://investor.verizon.com/news/view.aspx?NewsID= ... - pcghost, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1Mine arrives on Monday. Woohoo! I have sorely missed working PIM sync and a terminal since my Zaurus dies a few years ago.
- stix213, on 07/24/2008, -0/+1It doesn't look like the gps unit needs a binary blob after all. The link you pointed to was for the Neo1973. From the same page:
This is unlikely to be an issue in the GTA02 as the GPS receiver module should take care of it. The GTA02 uses a ATR0635 and on page 9 of the datasheet (Table 3-1: Performance Specification) states the module is limited to "Altitude 18,000 m Velocity 515 m/s One of the limits may be exceeded but not both." - in other words, the chip solves the GPS equations, and if the user's speed and velocity exceed the ITER-imposed limits it will stop outputting a fix. The datasheet does not specify exactly how the chip will behave in this situation, but most likely the serial NMEA data output will change the 'fix quality' value to 'invalid' and zero or stop updating the other parameters in the NMEA data. The practical upshot of this is: The closed-source GPS module's software takes care of ITAR compliance. Mike1024 17:25, 19 July 2008 (UTC) - bootycakes, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1so ture.
- Murdats, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1yes but no one knew about it or what it looked like so they couldnt rip it off.
- jermm, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1The hope (or at least my hope) is someone will make a kick-ass UI, with the phone being easily skinable, everyone will just use that. Now battery life is a more pressing issue...
- rubaaan, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1terminals going to be so much fun without a keyboard.
- awesomo4000, on 07/15/2008, -0/+0Probably not. Android isn't as open as you think.
Where is the source for the Java-like VM you wrote google?
Cough it up if you wanna be open source.
http://benno.id.au/blog/2007/11/21/android-neo1973
Long story short. Android needs ARM5 to run the binary part and neo is ARM4 and
won't run it. - rexprime, on 07/09/2008, -2/+2i might actually get a cell phone again
- eponce, on 07/15/2008, -0/+0It looks so cool. I'm looking forward to put my hands in that toy.
- macwac, on 07/09/2008, -2/+2I was about to order as well, but realized the 900 was sold out. Lucky bastard! I hope they get more into production!
- inactive, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1I prefer the concept of this phone to Android, and am not considering and iPhone due to its locked nature. The FSO stack seems critical as then the desktop environments (GTK, Qt, etc) can battle it out without affecting the underlying phone functionality. Why make it GSM specific though? Make it the standard stack on Linux for telephony, and then (a) its more generic behaviour will attract more developers and (b) the Moko will get a lot more supported protocols for free such as VoIP, and (c) Linux will get good support for GSM modems.
Phillip. - skyshock1, on 07/09/2008, -3/+3Such ridiculous terminology - "iphone killer". There are MANY "iphone killers" on the market already and have been for at least 2 years. For what *I* need, the Nokia n95 8gb "killed" the iPhone 3G about a year ago.
Good to see the iPhone, OpenMoko, and Android projects catching up to what Nokia's already done. Now we'll finally start seeing some real competition in the mobile market for a change. - Apocalyptic0n3, on 07/09/2008, -2/+2Yes but unless they can beautify it the phone will never sell. I can excuse a clamshell or candybar for having a somewhat dainty GUI but a 3 inch (guesstimating) touch screen needs to look damned good to sell. That's why I think the only iPhone killer out there right now is the Instinct. They capitalized with a great design. If the plans hadn't been outrageous like they are, I would have gotten that as my new phone over the Rumor I ended up getting.
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