OpenMoko Neo FreeRunner available for order July 4, shipping July 7

Last we heard form Openmoko, it was packing and shipping the open-source FreeRunner for an early July release. So, here we are in early July and wouldn't you know it, the FreeRunner will be available for order starting Friday, July 4 with shipping to begin on Monday, July 7. As for details, we got 'em. The shipped version of the phone will come in both 850Mhz and 900Mhz Tri-band GSM flavors with a 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen, WiFi, AGPS, GPRS 2.5G, Bluetooth 2.0, 128MB WSDRAM, and 256MB NAND flash. If you're down with all that, look to pay $399 on Friday at www.openmoko.com.

[Ken J Posted Jul 2nd 2008 1:14PM]

L2STFW

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Packet_Radio_Service
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_Data_Rates_for_GSM_Evolution

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 11:36AM]

Hi, I'm not a geek but I like to support these 'revolutionary' ideas.
Will it be available worldwide?
Is there a keypad? Touchscreen? or only "laser stylus pen"???

I'm really thinking about it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 12:03PM]

Yes globally available check openmoko.com/Products/Buy It Now for a list of vendors.

No Keypad, 640x480 touchscreen, "laser stylus pen" means a regular hi-quality pen that has a stylus tip and a laser pointer built in.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 12:29PM]

as if the only alternative would be an iphone...if you're considering only, and ONLY the iphone, why bothering getting information about other things...

this is a different thing, open source, free platform to play around..NO OTHER manufacturer offers that. so basically THIS IS THE RUNNER UP and all others are money suckers...if edge is what you want, go and get it for 1000 usd more.

cheers,

ps. finally a device worth paying for!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 12:56PM]

@ispam
I agree with you 90%, USD400 -is- a little bit of suckage in my wallet.

But I'm truly interested and was about to shell around 300 for an (now "obsolete) Nokia E65... said that, I'm probably getting it on Friday :D

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 1:38PM]

Chances are if you read a gadget blog you are smart enought and tech savvy enough to know where to buy your gadgets cheap. Who the hell pays retail around here?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 3rd 2008 11:38PM]

Okay let me reiterate this point!
It is a fully unlocked open source phone with decent specs.
A freaking unlocked razr sometimes goes for this much. A unlocked blackberry can sell for 700 or more.
$00 is dirt cheap. The old iphone with a two year service could cost more.
Get some money and some research.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 1:10PM]

With the exception of the data rate... this phone has some very nice specs that paired with a certain OS will make a wonderful cell phone. No more paying ridiculous premiums for buying a high end phone unlocked.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 1:40PM]

you can already purchase the developer version here:
http://www.gp2xstore.com/Neo_1973_Base_Phone_p/012.htm

[conroe64 Posted Jul 2nd 2008 4:36PM]

That one is last years version and doesn't have AGPS among other things

[conroe64 Posted Jul 2nd 2008 4:46PM]

Actually it does have GPS, but lacks WiFi. Bla.

[jeicrash Posted Jul 2nd 2008 1:45PM]

Yawn @ arguing people.

1. Open Source platform (make your own apps)
2. First run of this product (Newer + more features coming soon)
3. Android will probably steal the market since openmoko has waited so long to release.

4. What ever happened to actually leaving a comment about the article?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 2:07PM]

Like what?

Dear beloved author,
you've made such a fine selection of words and acronyms to invite our humble minds to this world of truly mobilizing communication technology that my head races with thought on just how much I want to thank you.

Nobody wants to read/write about the News ... do you go to a movie and then repeat every line to your friends? Commenting shouldn't be about the news at all it should be about what people think about the news and what comes from that. That's how stories are made and things happen.

[Jesse Dula Posted Jul 2nd 2008 1:53PM]

Looks just like the Trekstor Vibez,,,

http://www.trekstor.de/en/products/detail_mp3.php?pid=66

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 2:19PM]

I want an open source phone on verizon :(

[LordBunson Posted Jul 2nd 2008 2:36PM]

They are super serial guys.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 2:43PM]

:o
It will be cheaper on other gadget sites? :D cool!!

But I kinda drew it and its a pretty big mo'fo IMHO.
*secondthoughts secondthoughts secondthoughts*

Damn, if they're 3 days before launch and they have 4 official pictures of it and no video or something else, kinda fishy innit? Or is it only me?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 11:05PM]

c'mon guys...
i read almost all the comments, and be sincere here...
some one who's going to buy an openmoko phone, it's not going to buy an iphone, and reverse (some one who's going to buy an iphone don't even look at the freerunner).

there are a few things that don't get from some users.
this device is basically a developer device.
it means you can customize it to your like (even the hardware).
what's the fckn problem if it doesn't have edge?
c'mon
DEVELOPER DEVICE

it have agps, 2d/3d acceleration graphics, WIFI.
tell me, what other phone gives you those specs for less than 400 bucks?


so you have the options there.
you can buy an iphone, and sell your soul to satan
or...
buy a freerunner and put your ass in front of the computer and start programming software for the device.
it's your choice

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 12th 2008 2:13PM]

I ordered one, waiting for it to come in. What I really wanted was an iPhone without a 3yr contract, and without paying $1200 for the device without that.., the whole having to unlock an iphone, and being unable to sync with my Linux box anyways made me want a freerunner. As for if this is 133t or not, my money's going to support the project to make even better stuff down the line. I can write software for this with Qt AFAIK, so I can really customize my phone.... I looked at android, but the whole not really open thing could make it a pain...

For me, open-source so I can customize, non-contract, and open-hardware makes it worth the money and attractive.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 3rd 2008 11:42PM]

Okay get some money by selling your sister to primates and your mother to an experimental slaughter house designed for the betterment of mammal s. Next use your money to buy the phone. Sell your life to gypsies. Then put your sim card in. And shut up.
Thanks.