OpenMoko’s Neo Freerunner Linux-based mobile phone is now available for order through the company’s website, all ready to ship July 7. The completely open and hackable GPS-enabled mobile phone, first unveiled at CES 2008, runs on a GTK-based software platform, updatable to the Qtopia-based ASU. It also leverages some Enlightenment E17 technologies which will play prominently in the future evolution of the OpenMoko handset. While the software platform will enable technical types to build applications for the phone, future updates will be designed to make the OpenMoko more attractive to non-technical audiences. This is a move forward from the Freerunner’s predecessor, the Neo1973, aimed exclusively at technically adept consumers.
One big issue in making the Freerunner appealing to a broader consumer market is its lack of 3G support. While it does support 850MHz and 900MHz tri-band GSM support, the missing 3G support may mean it will be relegated to programmers trying out Linux-based mobile apps more than anything. If you’re okay with the lack of 3G support and a $399 price tag, the OpenMoko Freerunner also features a 640 x 480 pixel 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen, a 400MHz processor, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, a couple of accelerometers, 128MB of SDRAM and 256MB of storage.
via ars technica
