OpenMoko Schedule Announced

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.'"

Comments

Anyone know what it runs?

[Realistic_Dragon]

It looks a bit like Qtopia... but very much more slick than the version I have on my Zaurus. To be honest I was happy enough with that, this new version should cause some envy.

Slightly off topic, but on the subject of small media devices, the Penny Arcade comments on the iPhone/Zune are worth a look as they can pretty well be considered trendsetters for the market of people willing to spend lots of money on things that go beep:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/2007/01/15

I had hoped that there at CES I would have an opportunity to use the Zune's social features - its "higher brain functions," as I put it - but I was only there Thursday, after the place had largely thinned out. Near the Microsoft booth I was happy to see many devices speaking wirelessly - so many I had to scroll! - until I realized that they were named after genres, and were (in fact) the display units, which added greatly to my shame.

[snip some context]

The iPhone has the hardware to make file sharing possible, though I doubt their arrangements with license holders allow for it. Even so, I'm not sure they would investigate this. My experience argues aggressively against it.

Maybe such things would work better with an open platform, so that lots of device manufacturers can implement it. Certainly in Europe the density even of iPods isn't high enough to make sharing interesting... but mp3 playing cell phones and other mp3 players of all types are probably at greater than 1 per person by now. Can't think of any better place to start working on a system than an open cell phone platform.

Re:SSH?

[skymt]

If Amoco can make it in Puerto Rico then Open Moco can make in the world, I hope.

Yes, but Amoco had an advantage: the Greek a- prefix, which clearly transforms the meaning to "not mucus." I'd much rather have "Not Mucus" than "Open Mucus."