Hands-on with FIC's OpenMoko-powered FreeRunner

So this is a really early version of the FreeRunner, but mad love to FIC for bringing it out for us all to play with nonetheless. The first thing you'll notice is that it's still sporting its predecessor's "Neo1973" branding, an indiscretion we were promised would be put to bed prior to the scheduled spring launch to OpenMoko's developer community. Anyone used to toting a smartphone of average size could totally get used to carrying the FreeRunner around, which we think is probably key to the device's success outside the enthusiast community. The current build of the software, though, is another matter entirely -- it's in a pretty raw alpha state right now and hugh swaths of core functionality appear to be missing. Then again, they've got a few good weeks until spring, and even then the FreeRunner will find its way into hackers' hands before the masses; they've got some solid-feeling, solid-spec'd hardware here and we're still really hopeful that the final product is going to rock.

Gallery: Hands-on with FIC's OpenMoko-powered FreeRunner

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[Ubuntu 7.10+WindowsXP @ Mar 25th 2008 2:45AM]

Well that is the beauty of the FreeRunner, it is yours. You do with it as you please. So if you want to stick Google's Android on there, go for it. Which I don't get the hype about because I have yet to see any pictures, or actual code from Android, just annoucments about how cool they "want" it to be. But I digress. Its your phone, completely open source. Turn it into a laptop with Damn Small Linux, Qtopia, Android, Windows Mobile, etc. This is just the first phone build just for OpenMoko that will be mass market sold.

[Miles @ Jan 8th 2008 4:36PM]

Isn't this that iphone rip off that never came out?

[Iam9376 @ Jan 8th 2008 4:49PM]

@iTroll:

Given this was announced and in development long before the Apple iPhone, no.

This phone is scheduled for release (something you'd have picked up had you read even the brief synopsis) in the spring. So we'll see whats up when the time comes around.

[nsicad @ Jan 8th 2008 4:58PM]

Before commenting silly comments, please visit http://www.openmoko.org or probably http://www.linuxdevices.com and look for technical specs.

The phone is intended for advanced user at this stage. Definely not for Trolls!!!

[Ignacio @ Jan 8th 2008 5:55PM]

You are probably thinking of Meizu's phone, or should I say "phone renders" ;)

[deviceguy @ Jan 8th 2008 5:07PM]

If you install Qtopia onto the Neo, it becomes a very usable phone, with all the bells and whistles a smartphone has. Qtopia is a mature, stable phone environment for Linux. It works, and it's available for the Neo _right now_.

[Tony C @ Jan 8th 2008 5:28PM]

They couldn't have made the body a little thinner front to back? I would have preferred it be a little wider or taller to make up for the volume. It looks like it's exactly the same dimensions as the prototype -- and for once, that's not a "good thing"...

[Ethan @ Jan 8th 2008 5:31PM]

The only devices this thick have slide-out keyboards. What's the FreeRunner's excuse?

[phu5ion @ Jan 8th 2008 6:18PM]

Any idea if they are going to port Google's Android to the Neo1973?