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Three More Linux mobile Phones Coming in Japan

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the they-always-get-the-cool-stuff-first dept.

An anonymous reader writes "NEC and Panasonic have developed three Linux-powered 3G mobile phones to be introduced in Japan in the coming months -- NEC's N900iL, NEC's N901iC, and Panasonic's P901i. Of the three, only NEC's N900iL is currently shipping. The N900iL is a dual-network 3G/VoIP handset that works as a 3G mobile phone (using DoCoMo's W-CDMA/FOMA technologies), VoIP terminal, or both simultaneously. All three phones are based on the Linux 3G mobile phone software platform announced by NEC and Panasonic earlier this week."

6 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. Seamless switching? by PornMaster · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Are there any service providers currently offering the ability to seamlessly switch from cell towers to VoIP where your current call will move uninterrupted? And if so, what do they charge for VoIP minutes (if anything) over the basic cellular plan?

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  2. telco monopoly by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The telcos control the wireless airwaves, and lockin consumers to the phones they sell for their network. Of course they won't be selling phones with WiFi features that can cut their meters out of the loop. That's why, in the US, we have an FCC that vigorously defends our free market, right?

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  3. will phones be cheaper then? by thnmnt · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Why do we care unless these companies pass the savings from using open source software on to the consumers? i could care less what the underlying os of my phone is...unless of course i could get shell..cause maybe i'd like that..

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  4. Re:Unfortunately by SimonShine · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here in Denmark, the only 3G phones for sale, by the only 3G network in Denmark, are NEC ones. It may have taken a while for the technology to get here, but if there is any delay in these new Linux mobiles from NEC, it would be because we've had a really bad experience with the last series due to software bugs. The company in Denmark has a campaign offering a free operating system upgrade until December 1st.

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  5. Re:Great Idea by thepoch · · Score: 3, Funny

    Frankly, I can't wait for Japan to develop some sort of communicator that I can pin on my shirt, tap, and just say the name of the person I want to talk to with immediate and seamless translations.

    Either that or the skull implanted cellphones Nokia is planning on that Linus talks about in his Just For Fun book.

  6. So where's the source? by sudog · · Score: 3, Interesting

    All these embedded Linux systems out there that distribute Linux are required to offer the source code for redistribution.

    So where is it all? Or are they cheesing out and using only userland software to drive their phones?

    (In which case, who cares if it's running Linux, because we can't do anything useful with it anyway?)