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.