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OpenMoko Schedule Announced

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the preflight-check-lists dept.

levell writes "The schedule for the OpenMoko, an open source, Linux-based Neo1973 smart phone was posted to the community mailing list by Sean Moss-Pultz this morning. On Feb 11, free phones will be sent to key community developers and the community websites/wiki/bug tracker will be available. Then on March 11 (the official developer launch) we'll be able to buy an OpenMoko for $350. After allowing some time for innovative, slick software to be created there will be a mass market launch at which point Sean hopes that 'your mom and dad will want one too.'"

5 of 165 comments (clear)

  1. First open source mobile? I think not. by GreatBunzinni · · Score: 4, Informative

    The website states the following:

    2006.11.7 OpenMoko Announces the World's First Integrated Open Source Mobile Communications Platform at Open Source in Mobile Conference in Amsterdam.

    First one? I beg to differ. Should I point out Trolltech's Qtopia Greenphone? I believe it precedes OpenMoko by a considerable notch.

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  2. Re:Marketing ploy? by levell · · Score: 3, Informative

    I think you're being overly cynical, the people who are involved in this include people like Harald Welde (of the campaign to stop GPL violations. I think they genuinely believe in this, they're not just marketing weenies out to make a quick buck.

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  3. It's actually kind of obvious... by Svartalf · · Score: 3, Informative

    The OpenMoko is a GSM phone. The only primary networks using GSM in the US right at the moment are Cingular and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint/Nextel are CDMA...

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    I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
  4. Must have WiFi for this crowd. by Qwavel · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sounds great, shame about the WiFi.

    Your average consumer might not need WiFi on their phone, but I think it is very important for the slashdot/techie/FLOSS crowd. The main reason is that we want to be able to bypass the cell network whenever possible to avoid paying. WiFi is free and plentiful for me at home, at work, and in many other places, whereas cellular bandwidth is slower and much more expensive. For syncing, downloading music, uploading pictures, and VoIP, WiFi is a requirement for my next phone.

  5. Re:Are you sure? by jrumney · · Score: 3, Informative

    which I think Apple has the patent on.

    Apple does not have any patents on the iphone. They have applied for about 300, but none have been granted yet. Regarding the multitouch interface, if you search the internet, you'll find that research has been going on in this area since the 1980's. At best, Apple might be granted a patent on the specific technology they've used to support multitouch in their touchscreen, but there are several other ways to accomplish the same thing, some of which are already available.