Looks like one of the first Open Source phones is about to go public!
The press release doesn’t give many specifics about the phone other than pricing. But here’s the specs from the Openmoko website:
- 2.8″ VGA TFT color display
- Touchscreen, usable with stylus or fingers
- 266MHz Samsung System on a Chip (SOC)
- USB 1.1, switchable between Client and Host (unpowered)
- Integrated AGPS
- 2.5G GSM – tri band (900/1800/1900), voice, CSD, GPRS
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Micro SD slot
- High Quality audio codec
And of course, with the phone being Open Source the phone will be powered by Linux software which opens up loads of possibilities for software customization and features.
Here’s the press release:
Openmoko Signs Five Distributors for Freerunner Open Source Mobile Phone
Distributors seize opportunity to reach significant markets with programmable mobile phone
TAIPEI, TAIWAN June 25, 2008 – Openmoko, creator of the first completely open mobile computing platform, today announced agreements with five distributors for the Neo Freerunner Open Source mobile phone. Today, Openmoko will begin shipping the next generation Neo Freerunner to Pulster, Golden Delicious Computers and TRIsoft located in Germany, Bearstech in France and IDA Systems based in India.
IDA Systems specializes in customized software development and retail sales of hand-held computer devices. Golden Delicious Computers is a specialist for mobile office solutions and was founded as The Handheld Linux Shop. TRIsoft, in business since 1985, has been focusing in recent years on mobile Linux devices. Bearstech offers expertise in Open Source architecture and complex internet projects, and Pulster specializes in online sales of mobile devices into industrial and education markets with focus on Linux-based solutions.
The new Openmoko Neo Freerunner phone will ship with a basic developer platform. Subsequent software can be downloaded from the Openmoko developer site. The Neo Freerunner comes to market after Openmoko shipped the highly successful Neo 1973 in 2007. Distributors will offer either the 850 MHz or 900 MHz models of the Neo Freerunner to accommodate telecommunications frequencies worldwide.
“We have moved beyond the early adopter stage and are now ready to release the next generation Neo Freerunner to markets where we are seeing early traction,” said Steve Mosher, Openmoko vice president of marketing. “These key distributors have relationships that reach deeply into markets that can leverage the features of this remarkable mobile device and advance it even further through software and exterior customization.”
To help developers create unique versions of the Neo Freerunner mobile phone, Openmoko recently posted CAD files for the phone’s industrial design. The CAD files enable developers to design and completely modify and rapidly create prototypes for the phone case to suit their own customers’ needs. Openmoko is also working with the Open Source community to expand the phone’s software functionality to address the needs of high potential vertical markets such as academic, travel, science, and medicine, as well as refining the software for an eventual launch into the mass consumer market.
Pulster CEO, Christoph Pulster, said, “As the first official distributor for Openmoko products, we look forward to helping deliver Openmoko’s latest baby, the Freerunner open mobile phone platform, into the German consumer and industrial markets.” Dr. Nikolaus Schaller of Golden Delicious Computers: “We strongly support the idea to give the open source community full access to open devices. We contribute our experience in import and trading business so that customers in European markets can buy this and future devices assured of sustained high level commercial support.”
Marc Stephan of TRIsoft says “Soon after we started the preorder phase after CeBit 2008, the customers response exceeded all our expectations. So we’re happy to announce the partnership with Golden Delicious Computers to ensure a strong and professional EU-wide distribution of the Openmoko devices.” Amiya Kumar Das, director of IDA Systems, said “We have been resellers of several hand-held devices and laptops in India. We look forward to contributing our expertise in software development and Openmoko retail sales in the India market.
Pricing and availability
The Openmoko Neo Freerunner has a suggested retail price of $399. Openmoko will sell the phone directly from it its webshop www.Openmoko.com and via distributors in Europe and India. The company will announce availability in other regions of the world at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco, August 5-7, 2008 where Openmoko can be seen in the Linux Garage Pavilion booth 1234 in the Moscone Center North Hall.About Openmoko
Openmoko is the commercial and community driven effort with a mission to create open mobile products that empower developers and consumers to personalize their devices, much like a computer, in any way they see fit. Openmoko is dedicated to helping innovators bring freedom and flexibility to consumer electronics and vertical market devices.
For the latest information about Openmoko, visit www.Openmoko.com
Related ::
Openmoko’s site
Open Source via Wikipedia
SSL :: links for 2008-03-18
SSL :: the perfect cellphone
