OpenMoko to unveil consumer-minded Neo FreeRunner

So far, OpenMoko's Linux-based open source phones have amounted to little more than a twinkle in the eye of Joe Consumer, instead getting fast-tracked into the hands of developers who hope to make the whole package stable and functional enough for the average buyer to give a flip by the time they're widely available. We'd say that's a solid policy -- especially if these guys hope to fight the oncoming Android steamroller -- and the next volley is about to get fired in the form of the "Neo FreeRunner." The spiritual successor to the original Neo1973 (pictured), the FreeRunner is being billed as a "compelling mass market device" thanks to some key additions: WiFi, motion sensors, a faster 500MHz processor, and 3D graphics acceleration. OpenMoko's previewing the phone at CES next week with shipments following on to developers in the spring in two triband GSM versions, one with North America-friendly 850MHz and the other with 900MHz. Consumer sales are expected to happen after that (shortly after that, hopefully) once the dev community blesses it with solid code.

[usedHONDA @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:31PM]

Yes! I've been waiting for an announcement like this! I've been tracking the Neo1973 for a year now, and I'm happy to see that it's becoming something great. I almost bought a developer kit, but, well I was running a little short on cash. This will certainly be a turning point for open source and the phone market.

[palehorse @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:38PM]

Does it have multitouch capabilities?

either way, it's nice to see some more open-source solutions... if nothing else, it gives us a glimpse into our Android-controled future! :D

[applefreak @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:03PM]

dito

[Babau @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:00PM]

The original Neo1973 was multi-touch capable so I see no reason why this wouldn't be.

I just want it released and in my hands already. Hopefully a lot more information comes out of CES.

[SoloSalsa @ Jan 4th 2008 1:31AM]

@Babau:
No, the Neo1973, through all of its hardware revisions, has never had multi-touch capabilities. It is a single-point pressure tracking surface, like most laptop touchpads. There was some talk of giving it fake multi-touch abilities:
The point of touch is an average of minimum and maximum pressure coordinates: if your finger lays between pixels four and ten, it counts as a pointing device at pixel seven. But it possible to pretend there are actually two fingers, by using the min and max points, not the average. So basic 'multi-touch' functions could work with the right programming. But only something so basic as fingers spreading apart or closing in on each other, derived from the growing or shrinking pressure area.

[EEaudio08 @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:13PM]

GSM? I say they produce a CDMA version so I can have a decent Sprint handset.

[change @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:19PM]

I wonder if they've packed an EDGE modem into the Freerunner? If I remember right, the Neo 1973 only had a GPRS-capable modem...a few years behind the curve in speed. I can't find anything on the Freerunner on the OpenMoko wiki...or the mailing list archives either, for that matter. I'd think mention of this would be all over the lists, or at least on the OpenMoko press release page?

[john @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:54PM]

Wasn't the Neo1973 supposed to have had a consumer release sometime last fall (fall 07)? Still nothing there?

Probably better off waiting for the Nokia Maemo device that has GSM, over waiting for the OpenMoko phone. At least Maemo has some actual products out there.

[Ethyriel @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:57PM]

I would guess this is their going consumer with the 1973, but renamed after enough hardware updates warranted it. I hope, anyway.

[HektikLyfe @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:14PM]

It is a tragedy that simply because of its ill conceived manufacturers name that their products will fail with the entire Hispanic community.

[Akiosarin @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:29PM]

Is it still cool be all omg omg iPhone copy lol I have no life?

Looks like a nice little....thingy

[alphaod @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:28PM]

Yep no life ;)

Seriously, you can beat that keychain hole on the bottom of the phone. I sure wouldn't mind carrying this along my stack of 50 keys while I work!

[Mateo2 @ Jan 4th 2008 8:34PM]

"Wasn't the Neo1973 supposed to have had a consumer release sometime last fall (fall 07)? Still nothing there?"

Actually it was supposed to come out last February. Then that was pushed to June. Then that was pushed to October. Then that was pushed to late December. Then that was pushed to sometime early 2008 (supposedly February).

This is just another delay to the device. At least they are starting to get more vague with their timeline. Let me be clear: those who follow the development of the device have known about wifi since June; we've known about all these features. All they did here was give the mass market version a new name. Aside from that, it's the same device, with the same features we knew was coming. It's just yet another delay.