World’s First Integrated Open Source Mobile23 January 2007 by axxxr
Making its official U.S.debut at CES, the Neo1973 (built by FIC, a prominent Taiwanese electronics manufacturer) is a feature-rich smartphone with a touch-screen interface, a 266 MHz processor and a built-in GPS module, all running on an entirely open platform called OpenMoko. "Open" meaning its source code is available to anyone, clearing the way for the world's millions of Linux programmers to create applications for the phone applications which will be made freely available to non-geeks via an intuitive application manager.It's similar to the way the Nokia 770,managed to leverage a community of programmers to ensure exciting feature additions long after most similarly aged devices had become obsolete. So not only will Neo1973 users have their choice of GSM carriers, they will also be able to run exactly the types of applications they want. Only need Internet-based apps like a web browser, RSS reader and email,No problem. Rather turn your phone into a portable media machine, complete with an eBook reader and video player Just grab the apps you need, all for free. It's an exciting concept for the mobile market, one which has historically valued locked-down control over an easy user experience. Look for that to start changing when the Neo1973 becomes available next month. source:popsci www.openmoko.com
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1200 mAh battery is a decent size. 128 Mb memory seems decent enough. Not sure about the 2.5G and not a lover of touchscreen-only phones. Open source looks promising.
(I'm sure my post will be followed by the usual "Looks cool", or "Looks S**t)
sensibleone on Jan 23 2007
Looks wise, it kinda looks like a key chain, and i don't like the icons, but open source is great
mobilemodman on Jan 23 2007
Thats a very interesting phone! and open source is a really good idea! The touchscreen could be a little problem but looks fine, better than the IPHONE from MAC.... and did it work with all SIM cards?
Did anyone know how much did it cost and when it's available in switzerland?
Luck82 on Jan 23 2007
mobilemodman: opensouce. that means you can change the icons too ;)
i think my next phone will be an opensource one. i use linux, and it looks promising :D (right now i have a K700i)
NRG88 on Jan 23 2007
Looking promising is a WHOLE world away from WORKING model and shipping products. Now how will support be handled? Open source you call in because the OS is screwed and you're pointed to the nearest wiki. Good if your a Linux coder/admin but bad if you dont understand Linux.
> Bad for the company to support UNLESS there is a way to revert back to the shipping OS implementation > will they support customizations? Hmm > Looks like chaos at implementation unless all these questions are ironed out. Its NOT the first linux system on the block.
> There IS a reason why Motorola has their A1200 Ming limited.
Prom1 on Jan 23 2007
I like it
Nick on Jan 24 2007
very promising! but, where are the buttons? All touchscreen like the iPhony?
xanK on Jan 24 2007