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Canadian Firms Get Behind OpenMoko/FreeRunner
mario writes "Now that the OpenMoko platform has stabilized enough to provide the OM2008 image (supporting the three major toolkits), things are starting to heat up. Linuxdevices is reporting on the start of a port of Devicescape's connect application. Koolu (another Canadian company) is also doing development for its W.E. phone (a branded FreeRunner). Which leads me to ask: Where are the American companies?"
Investing their money in Washington crafting laws and developing new business models.
Can we talk about the iPhone 3G instead?
Hmm, from what I've noticed, most cell phone companies are not based in the US. Europe and Asia constitute most of them.
Anyyway, I'm really excited about this as much as I'm frustrated about the number of SDKs to pick up, Symbian, Windows Mobile, now iPhone SDK.. Google's Android and then this!
slashdot rocks
OpenMoko is a very ambitious project, and, in my humble opinion, very important. But the quality of the result from the development of the software stack has been mediocre. I still have my hopes set that it will lift off, but it's still nowhere. Qtopia rocks, and it's free software, it's working, and it's cool, but the OpenMoko distributions aren't there yet, and I have the feeling that the effort is not focused. The old distro was cool, but it was abondoned. ASU is far from being usable (it is not even developer-friendly, not talking about user-friendly). FSO is still not mature. Now, this sets my hopes up. One commercial venture is interested in improving the phone. That for me means that one of the most important goals of the whole project has been achieved. Whatever the quality of the software stack is, we will have our free (as in speech) phone.
well, Apple/ATT have the iPhone. Sprint, T Mobile, google, and others are more interested in Android.
Do you even lift?
These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
I think the american companies have put their efforts behind Google...
Now that the OpenMoko platform has stabilized enough to provide the OM2008 image
Except that 2008.08 doesn't actually work... it's pretty much alpha quality. (And yes there's workarounds but really... they called this a release?)
XML is a known as a key material required to create SMD: Software of Mass Destruction
The OpenMoko project has been around for a long time but it's been development only and unusable for the end user. US cellphone companies want to be able to sell something to end users now. They don't want an unfinished piece of junk that they don't know anything about -- they want their existing suppliers to give them USABLE phones.
Once this thing becomes polished and usable, at least as polished and usable as cell phones get, then we might see some interest.
i am a soviet space shuttle
.. Canada was still in America.
After looking at the Koolu.com website, I'd almost rather they not be referred to as Canadian... it makes us look bad...
So some Canadian firms think that an open-source handset is going to be worthwhile. Great, good for them. The likelihood is that even if they do get anywhere with it, the majority of their clients are going to be in the US anyway. The average person in Canada doesn't know or care about open-source handsets, and isn't going to care enough to learn.
It's kind of like RIM - they were the first to really get mobile, business e-mail out into the world, and now they're famous. Everyone who doesn't have an iPhone has a blackberry these days, and most of RIM's clients are in the US. Where were the American companies? What does it matter?
In this era of free trade and globalization, there's hardly any distinction between American companies and Canadian companies. I work for a Canadian company which is owned by an American company which is run by the Canadian company. We're traded on an American stock exchange, we all work in Canada, and we just bought an American company made up almost entirely of Brits and Irish. So what does that make us?
'Canadian company' these days only refers to locality - where people show up for work at every morning. Beyond that, it doesn't make a difference.
American carriers are not only completely uninterested in a platform that gives the end-user complete control over their phone, but actively shunning it. Their business model is to sell slick-looking, crippled devices that push as much functionality through their networks as possible such that they can charge the end-user as much as they can for things that should be free. Verizon and the V710 debacle a few years ago come directly to mind (disabling OBEX, etc.).
I'll be shocked if we ever see a viable OpenMoko device in the next ten years.
+++ATH0
This is mainly from the viewpoint of a graphics programmer (3d, gpu drivers, ...), so my comments will focus on that part. I know there are a lot good features on this devices.
The Glamo chip can only use textures of 512 x 512 so it's impossible to use hw acceleration to decompress full screen video (unless you stretch the texture to the entire screen).
The video bus bandwidth is 7m/s which gives a theoretical maximum of 12 fps without hw acceleration. That bus is also shared with the sd card reducing the bandwidth even further if you are accessing the sd card.
SMedia refuses to give out the documentation of their gpu and only employees of OpenMoko have access to that documentation. Implementing 3D for the glamo is low priority. It's obvious it's low priority but it's a shame there's a gpu in there but you can't use it or even improve the driver.
writing software that makes money.
Looking at the device scape web site they seem to have both American and Canadian offices.
and here i thought canadians were a bit smarter than that.
So, uh, I hear you liek mudkipz.
Waiting for a reply from Openmoko tech support.
American carriers are not only completely uninterested in a platform that gives the end-user complete control over their phone, but actively shunning it
Android answers the description you provide, and there seem to be a number of carriers embracing it.
They are driven to do so by the iPhone but that makes little difference in that things are moving that way, and carriers realize now that it will happen sooner rather than later.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
The video bus bandwidth is 7m/s
Okay, and how long is the bus?
After all, I am strangely colored.
If by "a number" you mean "two".
Unless by embracing you mean "offering devices using" in which case that's "one": T-Mobile.
Sprint "joined" the Open Handset Alliance, but currently "has no plans" to allow such devices on their network. Sprint's chief concern? Android is "too open".
That's not quite how they worded it, but if you read between the lines, you'll realize that Sprint isn't quite about to allow a truly open device on their network.
as are Mexican and US citizens. No?
I remember reading about the OpenMoko long before the iPhone, and the day the final spec where out I when and bought an Iphone why, no 3G or EDGE
Apple leave 3G out of the first gen iPhone and they get crucified, but this phone has no 3G or EDGE and it is OK because it is open source? WTF!
I would love an open phone. But you have to be the first one to the market with mobile's because of those 18 month contracts. Why do I have to wait two years for them to catch up with other company's who have stuff already on the self?
No other company offers the functionality of the iPhone. Yes Yes, you had email and internet on mobile phones for years but was it nice to use, I bet not.
I think Android will be the big player in the future, but they approach is broken due to Java.
With Linux becoming more and more popular, I had high hopes for OpenMoko because developers could code in a simpler environment as both desktop and mobile application could share the same code base.
I know software stacks don't just grow over night, trust me the iPhone has problems of it's own.
I also think the next big thing is MID's, when Intel announced this I thought they were mad. But after using a development one with 3G and Skype, it was one of the best experience with a mobile device bar none, crappy battery life was the only problem and this is where Intel will lose to ARM.
If I could get the same MID with cellular phone capability's and an ARM CPU, My iPhone would be straight in the blender.
As the 3G on the iPhone is shit, the same MID as above had a full bars of 3G where I live but the iPhone, I only seen two or three in some areas.
So if the next software update does not fix this, I will be sending it back and looking for an new mobile. And it will not be for OpenMoko or Apple because of constant delays and sub par hardware.
Rant over
An open-source OS does not mean the end-user can do what they want. It means the phone manufactures can do what they want.
If AT&T and T-Mobile could legally and technically ban use of OpenMoko phones on their network, they would do it.
An open-source OS does not mean the end-user can do what they want.
Even with a closed source OS (iPhone) users can do as they like (Jailbreak).
The ease of developing for an open source OS is even greater, since the official SDK grants you a view to the lowest levels of operation and makes it that much easier to change what you like.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
In this era of extranational interference, there's hardly any distinction between American companies and Canadian companies.
Just follow the money up the top, ignoring the "holier-than-thou" shareholder class (voting, not mutual fund). You will find that they are Canadian with a desire to end-run business law.
Where were the American companies? What does it matter?
Quality and jurisdictional accountability, perhaps. Think of that next time when a knockoff product breaks too easily. Think of it when you get mindless tech support and shoddy code.
It does make a difference.
Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
Carriers are exerting pressure on baseband manufacturers to ensure that they do not open specifications required to get open-source software to work with advanced basebands that work with EDGE, EvDO, or HS*PA. So all you get is plain GPRS and voice, on the one baseband that was available to be used with the FreeRunner.
Don't expect this to change anytime soon. It won't. If necessary, the carriers will exert pressure on Congress to pass a law banning open source operating systems on cellular devices in the name of "security."
+++ATH0
At last, a phone from Linux fanatics! You can dial from the command line. Just type:
echo 0 >
echo 1 >
cu -l
AT+CFUN=1
AT+CPIN="<pin>"
AT+COPS
ATD<number>
You are now connected. See how easy it is!
You don't need to use a phone to upload camera pictures. There's an SD memory card which you can put into your digital camera that can upload images via Wi-Fi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye-Fi/
Transmitting energy without a license.
She appointed all of her power over Canada to the Governor General, who makes law whatever our government tells him to.
She exerts no power over us at all, why rebel against her? Figure out what you're talking about for fuck sakes.
Those are still limited by their operating systems. What open Linux-based phones that have 3G exist?
(Hint: There aren't any.)
+++ATH0
if they could legally ban unlocked phones on their network they would do it. In fact most of their retarded phone workers think this already when I call up for a new sim to add to my plan...
ME: I need a sim to add to my contract.
THEM: SIM why? has your old one stopped?
ME: NO I'm adding a new line to my contract and I need a sim.
THEM: Then you need a phone as well, we have several to choose from....
ME: NO, I need the sim I already have a phone.
THEM: You haveto have an AT&T phone to work on our network....
ME:NO, It's unlocked it already works, please semm me a SIM card...
THEM: OMG!!!OMG!!!OMG!!! UNLOCKED? That against the law! FCC violation! are you a terrorist? OMG!!OMG!!OMG!!
ME: Please, I want a sim card... please?
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Jerkbags. I know they want to protect their business and everything, but come on...way to cripple innovation.
Shameless plug alert: Game server control panel
It's all about backing...
Look who's behind Android. Now look who's behind OpenMoko.
The Carriers KNOW they have to play nice with Android, lest Google create an alternate comm. system and completely undermine the existing Cell marketplace. And yes. I fully believe they have the engineering capabilities, dark fiber, and money to do such a thing.
Now look at OpenMoko. Community developed, open design... Trying to inject itself onto a Commercially Monopolized market.
Oil and Water my friend. Oil and Water.
They're in Denver.
Ceci n'est pas une sig.
Actually it's you who need to get your facts straight about the Queen of Canada. She still has a Corporation Sole that is Canada! She is a British Person not a Canadian!
"The Crown represents the basic political ideals which all Canadians share. It stands for the idea that individual people matter more than theories; that we are all subject to the rule of law. These ideals are guaranteed by a common loyalty, through the sovereign, to community and country.[5]" - Queen Elizabeth II, Regina, 1987
She does not in any way speak for me! Thus her statement is false! I have ZERO loyalty to her. She's just an old rich pompous lady pretending in silly political games.
Canada simply does not need a silly monarchy. It's a stupid anti-democratic tradition that should be epunged from Canada. It's time to move on. It makes those who follow it look like idiots.
Here is your lesson in facts:
The monarchy of Canada, also known as the Canadian monarchy,[1][2] is a constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Canada,[3] forming the core of the country's Westminster style parliamentary democracy.[4] The terms Crown in Right of Canada, Her Majesty in Right of Canada, or The Queen in Right of Canada may also be used to refer to the entire executive of the government of Canada. Though the Canadian Crown has its roots in the French and British Crowns, it has evolved over the centuries to become a distinctly Canadian institution.[5] represented by unique symbols, and sometimes being colloquially dubbed the Maple Crown;[6] a term first coined by Governor General Lord Grey in 1905.[7]
The present monarch is Elizabeth II - officially titled Queen of Canada (French: Reine du Canada) - who has reigned since February 6, 1952. She, her consort and other members of the Canadian Royal Family undertake various public and private functions across Canada and on behalf of the country abroad. However, the Queen is the only member of the Royal Family with any constitutional role, holding ultimate executive authority,[4][8] though her Royal Prerogative remains bound by laws enacted by her in parliament and by conventions and precedents,[3] leaving the day-to-day exercise of executive power to her Cabinet. While several powers are the sovereign's alone, most of the royal constitutional and ceremonial duties in Canada are carried out by the Queen's representative, the Governor General;[3] as such, the Governor General can sometimes be referred to as the de facto head of state.[9] In each of Canada's provinces the monarch is represented by a lieutenant governor.[3] The territories are not sovereign, and thus do not have a viceroy.