OpenMoko launched its highly anticipated FreeRunner smartphone, a Linux-based handset that’s completely open in both hardware and software, and is designed to encourage third-party modification and customization. Although the FreeRunner’s software platform is still incomplete, the device has attracted considerable attention from mobile software developers and Linux enthusiasts.
Hopefully this will push the GTK developers to improve their toolkit. Like the article says, GTK lacks big time. GTK 3 is suppose to solve all that with major changes. I am a big fan of GTK and GNOME, but I admit, the toolkit is inferior when compared to QT.
Set those puppies up and Ill be ready to rip on that puppy…I have 10 ready-made pharmacy apps and 2 role playing game apps just dying to get on another mobile device.
I assume the pharmacy apps and the role-playing apps are meant to be used together. ;}
I dont think I can post that stuff here for fear of our government being allowed to spy on me and track me with impunity
Gotta love Bush and his limiting of personal liberties
What exactly does this mean? -> “FreeRunner’s software platform is still incomplete” Which “awwe crap” is going to get me?
what’s it worth when the software stack is still lacking the most basic features of a mobile phone? The phone (GTA02) is marketed for “developers”, its predecessor GTA01 was marketed for “hardcore developers”. What does that mean? It means it’s still not ready for the end user. It may be a geekish thing to have, but it’s NOT a reliable mobile phone.
So it’s great to have an incomplete open source mobile phone, but it’s not ready for prime time. If it were I’d buy one instantly.
and from what i understand, its the press, not the company, that have been claiming that the new model is aimed at joe average user…
The Neo Freerunner present software is suitable for advanced users and devs, but the intent for Freerunner is general consumer.
http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo_FreeRunner
Ok, but what does it MEAN:
– can I make a phone call?
– can I send SMS?
Hardware is one thing – it’s just useless if the software stack is still lacking the most basic features. Don’t get me wrong: I’d love to play with the Freerunner. I just cannot afford an expensive toy that isn’t able to do the most basic things one expects from such a device.
yes
yes
I’m buying the Neo Freerunner, together with 9 others, and one in the group was at a “install party” in Oslo a few days ago with some other group which already have gotten their phones.
They did some testing and this is what works with basic image:
– make and receive phone calls
– send and receive sms
– wifi works after some small tweak(s)
– nett on PC via the Freerunner (usb)
They didn’t get a fix on GPS, but it was inside…
Bluetooth was not tested.
And on-screen keyboard didn’t have norwegian letters.
—
Anyways, it’s my understanding that openmoko aims to make Neo Freerunner a phone for Joe consumer, but it’s not there yet
so give it time. this is unlike nokia and the rest that drop a finished product, and then go on to make the next one and in general wants to avoid having anything more to do with the old one…
You can make your Freerunner more stable and complete by using Qtopia by Trolltech, a Nokia Company on it. Available from http://qtopia.net
You know it already runs qtopia.
Is it gunning to be picked up by other phone makers then?