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Open Source Linux Phone Goes On Sale

Posted by kdawson on from the got-my-moko-workin dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Sean Moss-Pultz has just announced on the OpenMoko mailing list that the Neo1973 is finally available for purchase. OpenMoko.com is now taking orders via credit card. OpenMoko intends to 'free your phone' through a hardware-independent and open source user interface backed by the Linux kernel. This device could very well stand as a competitor to the more expensive Apple iPhone, but at a fraction of the price and with no vendor lock-in. Although the devices in this release cycle (GTA01) are mainly intended for developers, the up-and-coming devices targeted to the consumer market (GTA02) will also feature WiFi capabilities, a 3D acceleration unit, and 256MB of on-board flash. Both units will use the MicroSD card interface for removable storage and have USB client / host capabilities. For a full feature list, check out OpenMoko.com or the OpenMoko Wiki."

4 of 520 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Awesome by Nossie · · Score: 5, Informative

    do providers allow random phones to be used on there network?

    yes, thats what an unlocked phone is....

    as to your question about blocking phones...
    if the imei number is correct and its FCC approved I doubt they would have any reason to block you

  2. Re:Open Source? by mmontour · · Score: 4, Informative

    So uhh.. where's the source code? I didn't see any mention of source code or documentation on their web site; did I miss it? Look on the Wiki and on projects.openmoko.org.
  3. Re:What a deal! by pturing · · Score: 4, Informative
    They're discounting this edition of the phone since it's for developers and doesn't have all the bits. Here's a quote from the openmoko mailing list:

    The delays have been expensive for us and annoying for you. We've
    decided that instead of setting up a complicated return or tracking
    system to remember who gets a discount for GTA02, we going to give you
    _all_ a discount on GTA01.

    We're going to sell the Neo Base for $300. The Neo Advanced will be
    $450.

    GTA02 (AKA: The Mass Market Neo 1973) is on schedule to go on sale in
    October. It will have the following new hardware components:

      * 802.11 b/g WiFi
      * Samsung 2442 SoC
      * SMedia 3362 Graphics Accelerator
      * 2 3D Accelerometers
      * 256MB Flash

    We will sell this device through multiple channels. Direct from
    openmoko.com, the price will be $450 for the Neo Base and $600 for Neo
    Advanced.
  4. Re:Awesome by terrymr · · Score: 4, Informative

    Most devices are based on already certified standard GSM modules. You can buy the bare GSM stuff to build into your own project.