Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Open source phone goes mass-market
Jun. 25, 2008

Openmoko has begun shipping its Linux-based, open source Neo Freerunner phone to five newly announced distributors, in Germany, France, and India, says the company. The Neo Freerunner features an open hardware design, and a Linux-based operating system that users are free to modify.

(Click for larger view of Neo Freerunner prototype)

Spread the word:
digg this story
Previously, OpenMoko phones have been available only in limited quantities, mostly to open source mobile phone software developers. Today's announcement signals the first release of OpenMoko's technology aimed at the mass market.

The OpenMoko project originally hoped to ship a mass market version last October, according to project leader Sean Moss-Pultz in an interview about a year ago. However, finishing the product has proven proven more difficult than originally thought, in part due to hardware problems.


Power, USB, and external GPS ports (l-r)
(Click to enlarge)


The Neo Freerunner (GTA02) is an updated version of Openmoko's earlier Neo 1973. As with the Neo 1973, which shipped last Fall, the Freerunner is billed as a completely open, hackable hardware platform, meaning that users are free to install and run new operating system firmware, for example in order to add native Linux software applications of their own choosing.

When it announced the Neo Freerunner in January, Openmoko also reported that it had completed its spin-out from Taiwanese consumer electronics giant FIC (First International Computer of Taiwan), which is manufacturing the phone. Compared to the similar-looking Neo 1973, the Freerunner adds WiFi, 3D accelerometers, improved graphics, and a faster 500MHz Samsung S3C2442 system-on-chip (SoC) processor. Other features include:
  • Processor -- Samsung S3C2442 500MHz
  • RAM -- 128MB
  • Flash -- 256MB
  • Display -- 4.3-inch diagonal 640 x 480 VGA Color TFT LCD
  • Graphics -- SMedia 3362-based 3D graphics acceleration
  • Accelerometers -- 2 x 3D accelerometers
  • Audio -- "high-quality" audio codec
  • USB -- 1 x version 1.1
  • Cellular -- 2.5G tri-band GPRS/GSM (900MHz or 850MHz)
  • WiFi -- 802.11b/g WiFi
  • Bluetooth -- version 2.0
  • GPS -- AGPS (assisted global positioning system) receiver
On the software side, the Neo FreeRunner uses the open source mobile phone software stack maintained by the OpenMoko project, along with the open source Jalimo JVM (Java virtual machine), which is maintained by German software development company Tarent GmbH.

As with the 1973 model, OpenMoko has published CAD files for the Freerunner. That "open source hardware" approach resulted in the design being adapted for use in Dash Navigation's Dash Express in-car navigation device. OpenMoko phones have proven to be popular development platforms for projects such as the Debian-based We-phone.

Stated Steve Mosher, Openmoko VP of marketing, "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." Mosher added that the distributors could provide "software and exterior customization" for the phone.

Availability

The Openmoko Neo Freerunner will have a suggested retail price of $400. In addition to being offered by the new European and Indian distributors, it will continue to be sold direct, online. The company will announce more details at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco, on August 5-7, it said. Openmoko will be located at booth 1234 in the Moscone Center North Hall.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Major Mono rev ships
• ETX module targets military apps
• Linux netbook return rates higher?
• Italian carrier ships Linux MID
• 5-second Linux boots on low-powered hardware
• MontaVista "Summit" concludes
• Freescale to jettison cellular chip business
• Open-source server appliance is "free"
• MontaVista Linux drives Dell's quick-boot feature
• "Virtual platform" targets Linux device developers
• Mobile Linux platform supports Cortex-A8 SoC
• Linux design targets 802.11n-enabled homes
• Virtualization design targets wireless base stations
• Linux virtualization tech tapped for telematics
• Linux Foundation spins end-user conference


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Major Mono rev ships
• Intrepid Ibex beta-tests
• Linux netbook returns higher?
• Open-source image editing project launches
• Linux Foundation launches end-user conference
• GNOME 2.24 gains "Empathy" IM
• gOS 3.0 goes gold
• Linux Foundation courts individual members
• Netbook version of Mandriva thinks small
• Mozilla removes EULA from Linux Firefox


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.