Prelude
More than a few intrepid adventurers out there have noticed my comments for one of Dan Frommer’s posts at SAI about the Android SDK and the proposal for the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) “GPhone” mobile phone platform for which the SDK can be used to create applications. Many of you have fired me E-mails about the links I left, wondering if there are any participating OHA members on the verge of releasing their GPhone implementations.
Neo FreeRunner Release and Information
While that is material for another article, what IS interesting today is the excitement over Openmoko’s release of their Neo FreeRunner phone. The phone was available for orders on July 4, 2008, but checking the device selector, the GSM 900 version of the Neo FreeRunner is unfortunately already sold out. Fortunately, the GSM 850 version is still available, and AT&T Mobile should support that…
So, avid readers, what have we learned from this event?
- Openmoko has finally released the Neo FreeRunner… the product had been delayed for sometime (since last year);
- The Neo FreeRunner is more of a production item, compared to the developer/enthusiast Neo 1973 mode… but given its nature, it can still be used as a developer/test item;
- The Neo FreeRunner remains an open source hardware and software product;
- Thus far, no U.S. domestic carriers have announced a package of the Neo FreeRunner with a plan;
- The Neo FreeRunner is a GSM-type phone, so no CDMA support at this time (sorry, Sprint and Verizon);
- Pricing for the Neo FreeRunner appears to be $399 USD;
- While purchasing became available on July 4, 2008, the orders do not begin shipping until July 7, 2008 (hey, don’t forget about Bungie Day);
- Product announcements over U.S. federal holidays tend to be overlooked except by the hardcore among us.
The DBoard (debug board) is available for the Neo FreeRunner, so you can open up your phone and access its functions in a convenient, unified point. Also, it’s been reported that the USB host function may be set to power other USB devices… as if somebody would want to, say, remove the guts of the Neo FreeRunner and implant them into a small notebook to turn it into some like a full-featured mobile communications platform… gee, who would be nefarious enough to create a massive super-mini-micro-notebook that runs Android on the notebook side but reaches across the bridge to the phone functions? (Hint, hint, nudge, nudge…)
Another interesting point is the fact that, like Openmoko (the platform, not the company), the Android general platform is also Linux-based. An enterprising developer should be able to merge the Neo FreeRunner with an Android flavor of Linux and then plant the app frameworks on top of the OS.
Good times, folks! Let the massive phone platform hacking begin!
More Reading
Given the open source nature of the Neo FreeRunner and what Openmoko is heavily promoting, it makes sense to provide links to the important areas of interest (so you, too, can start formulating your own Linux-based smartphone):
- Openmoko: Product page for the Neo FreeRunner
- Getting Started with the Neo FreeRunner (for developers)
- Downloads:
- Daily software builds (directory)
- Hardware CAD files (directory)
- Openmoko Wiki
I’ll certainly be watching for more information about this cute little device. Like many other people, I’m in the market for a new smartphone, and while the iPhone 3G sounds like something that may be much more appropriate for my needs than, say, for the average professional, there are certainly issues with the iPhone that prevent it from being the “perfect” device.
Remember earlier, when I mentioned the links from the SAI comment? For your convenience, here are the links to the Android implementations running on existing devices:
- Nokia N810 running Android (4/9/2008)
- HTC TyTN II running Android (4/12/2008)
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