OpenMoko says "screw it," starts taking FreeRunner orders a day early

July 4 was the date, but hey, what's the harm in opening up the floodgates just a handful of hours early? Get past the lack of 3G, EDGE, camera, and a rock-solid set of tested, commercialized apps, and open-source phoning nirvana can now be yours for $399 on the plastic.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Ivan @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:55PM]

where do i sign?..............you mean i have to bring my own pen too?

:no dice:

[JAmerican @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:57PM]

LMAO :) I would have loved it if it had 3G support and bigger screen size or keyboard.

[Mark Anderson @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:58PM]

$400 for a basic phone.

Hmm...

I'm thinking... no.

[i961vw @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:29PM]

Agreed. Way to much for lack of "should be" standard options.

[Mark Anderson @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:39PM]

Hmm... Low Ranked.

I guess this calls for a mature response:

Linux fanboys: No-one fucking cares about your plethora of non-standard, shaky operating systems. That's why you still only have less than 1% of the PC market. Your phones suck as well.

There, I feel better for that.

[matt @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:51PM]

@mark. How many machines on the net are running linux of some description? Also, how can linux be called 'non standard'? Microsoft is the biggest enemy to free and open standards that currently exists.

[zargon @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:03PM]

Uh oh, someone is cranky... like they have linux in their vagina.

[Jeff @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:56PM]

"Also, how can linux be called 'non standard'? Microsoft is the biggest enemy to free and open standards that currently exists."
Agreed.
@mark: I hope you were kidding when you said "mature". Furthermore, as for "shaky" and "unstable", have you actually *tried* a good Linux distro lately? Sure they sometimes have issues, but then so does Windows, Mac, and everything else out there. In my opinion, Windows users tend to be used to the BSoD and the rest, so it doesn't seem like as big a deal. Any well-established Linux distro should work quite well on most computers (and sometimes, as in the case of driver issues, it's not their fault if it doesn't). Sure, if you want to pull your code from the latest SVN, it's going to be unstable - that's the price you pay for getting the latest and greatest. MS and Apple only release when a program is ready (debatable); Linux releases stable versions too -- but you can choose to use them, or not.
Please get your facts right before providing criticism

[Scuba Steve @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:20PM]

It's not a contract price. Compare the price of this wifi-enabled phone...with a 640 x 480 touchscreen...to the *non-contract* price of other phones with similar capabilities. That's 640x480 folks, so duct tape two iPhones next to each other to get the same size and get back to me on price.

We had quite a few apologists for the iPhone 1.0 here when it hit the streets with only Edge. "It has Wifi! That's all I need 99% of the time!"

Where did those folks go? Off massaging Steve Jobs' feet perhaps...waiting for him to offer them more gruel.

[DiRT @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:07PM]

"Microsoft is the biggest enemy to free and open standards that currently exists."
That's true, but they make the standard. You might not like it, but 96% of the world's computers disagree.

[Mark Anderson @ Jul 6th 2008 12:25PM]

I run Ubuntu on one of my PCs. It's nowhere near as good as Vista, doesn't have acceptably stable software and requires frequent command window interventions to actually do anything plus it grays out/locks up more than any Windows machine - including ones running Me - I've ever had.

So, once again: No one cares. Really.

[Omar @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:03PM]

Why bother, I'd rather get a GoPhone.

[Gavin @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:13PM]

2 years to late!
I saw this last year and thought it was a bag of crap then, this bag of crap should have been burned on the doorstep a long time ago!

[wrabbit @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:22PM]

No 3G, no edge, no camera, UI looks shit, as well as the device and it's not clear what features it has - what am I paying $400 bucks for again??

[Anthony @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:05PM]

Yes- their listing says camera, but specs don't support that & "wish list" forum has camera as a want.

[Jeff @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:04PM]

"UI looks shit, as well as the device and it's not clear what features it has - what am I paying $400 bucks for again??"

I've tried the openMoko software on my Palm handheld (without a phone), and while there were of course issues (it was kind of a kludge to get it to run on a Zire72), but I was fairly impressed. Keep in mind, it /is/ Linux after all... if you don't like the UI, then change it! (or get someone to do it for you) As a side note, check out this UI: http://moblin.org/repos/users/pippin/screencasts/2008-06-25.html . I admit that I'm not a huge fan of the devices' case, but again - it's Open, so find someone with a CNC machine, and go nuts.

[Eric Rosenfield @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:36PM]

I don't understand this product. Is it only VOIP over WiFi or can you use it with a real cellular network? If you can use it with a cell network, which networks are available? I don't see anything about activating the phone, cell phone cards or anything like that on the website.

[aaron @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:42PM]

I STILL don't know much about it...

[KilgoreTrout @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:51PM]

Don't you get it pal?
It's the FIRST open source, DIY phone!
You pay and they give you that thing and then you just have to build your own cellular network across the nation.
You get to make it just like you want it.
Aint that great?

[kjb434 @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:23PM]

So is this the future of Android? LiMo?

Here's a phone and you put own shit on it....

I don't think it'll be that way, but think of how cool it would it to have a full featured phone that you choose all the apps.

You choose the navigation, internet, email/messaging, media player, etc.

You get the basic very capable phone. It's like buy a bare bones PC and building it up yourselft.

Now I realize most phone buyers wouldn't be in this category, but some users would love the option.

[sr1329 @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:23PM]

Yeah it exists. It's called Nokia S60. Put your own shit on it.

[sr1329 @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:24PM]

Yeah it exists. It's called Nokia S60.

[Dan @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:29PM]

Woah!
A full featured phone where I choose the applications I want?
My Mogul from July of 07 does just that with Windows Mobile!
Aside from the massive developer community for both applications and rom changes, my Mogul has also has a keyboard, 3G-EVDO Rev. A.
(Keep in mind, I'm just going for the open-installation structure of Windows Mobile, not performance, interface, etc.)

The idea behind the phone is nice I suppose, but undercutting features in 2008 where competition among advanced phones is more fierce than ever is really a big mistake.

[kjb434 @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:40PM]

Yeah,

I love my WinMo phone too.

So far nothing (not Android, iphone, or LiMo) can come close to it in flexibility.

I flashed it as soon as I got it to clean off any sign of ATT. Then i went to work customizing.

I was just wondering if a phone company could use that angle and option as a selling point.

[Leejin @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:26PM]

Lol...they're already sold out.

Kind of a lame phone if you ask me.

Great idea, but why's it so freaking ugly/bulky?

[elwillow @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:36PM]

they aren't sold out. They didn't start the shipping on the 900 yet!

[Eric Rosenfield @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:35PM]

I don't understand this product. Is it only VOIP over WiFi or can you use it with a real cellular network? If you can use it with a cell network, which networks are available? I don't see anything about activating the phone, cell phone cards or anything like that on the website.

[aaron @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:42PM]

I really don't know much about it.

[matt @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:43PM]

It is a GSM phone. Bring your own simcard, as it is not locked to any network.

[Eric Rosenfield @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:00PM]

Ah, okay, that makes more sense. Sorry about the duplicate posts.

It is neat to have a smart phone you can use with any network...

[aard @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:01PM]

It's totally normal in the rest of the world...

[yode @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:32PM]

It has GPRS...

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:57PM]

I call GPRS " EDGE on steroids!" :P

[LC @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:04PM]

What is target audience for this? Are there really many people that want to "program" some bottom of barrel, fugly phone?

[Todd @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:06PM]

So much hate for a company that isn't out to screw us Consumers over, come on! Everybody at OpenMoko are freedom lovers, like Engadget us readers. The specs aren't there yet, but its up to us to participate in it's development and contribute.


Hatin' on the FreeRunner is like beating up Ralph Wiggum.

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:06PM]

I think I will patiently wait for my HTC dream instead... Hell as much as I Love non proprietary hardware with open standards I would much rather get the Jesus phone than this shit... the price sucks, the UI sucks and the specs are okay but could be better and 1 last thing... the hardware is ugly. As an artist I like my hardware to reflect my good taste.

[7on @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:37PM]

Then slap a "NOFX" sticker on it and call it a day.

[aristos_achaion @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:35PM]

The CAD files are open; design your own case. And what's with the "ugly", just because it looks like a piece of electronics and not a toy?

[me @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:23PM]

I love the concept, but the features aren't there to justify spending $400.

[sr1329 @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:22PM]

No data? Are they serious? In 2008? I mean I asked the same question when the iPhone came out in 2007 without 3G, but this is taking it to the limit.

[Gregory @ Jul 4th 2008 7:11AM]

Wow, you didn't even take the time to read anything before commenting, did you? GPRS is data. It is just not as fast as 3G.

[Corbb @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:08PM]

Lulz, I cannot believe how many of you haters completely miss the point here. I would choose this kind of open phone over closed-down iCrap any day of the week, but then again, I'm happy with my Nokia.

[guess who @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:18PM]

Hey dumb asses, anyone who would criticize a phone because of it's interface is clearly a complete and utter moron.

The OpenMoko phone is based off of Linux, a operating system that can be customized to look like what ever the hell you want, so for all of you who said "the UI sucks", "UI looks shit" You my friend are what I like to call a "Simple minded piece of shit" Don' judge a book by it's cover, marketing gurus know that what people go for (Like fish) are shiny lures, most people are lured just like fish into this.

All that glitters is NOT gold.

[rp @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:51PM]

Why would you ship a phone with a crappy GUI? It's called "marketing." If Apple shipped Mac OS X with a crappy looking GUI, it wouldn't matter if you could customize it, no one would go for it. People that walk around on the street dressed like bums aren't usually multi-millionaires.
It just shows the mindset of this company: here's a device that we half-assed into the market, now you do the rest!

[Jeff @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:08PM]

"All that glitters is NOT gold."
@guess who: Not to be a pain, but if you're quoting Tolkien, it's "All that is gold does not glitter" -- kind of makes a difference in meaning...
Does make a good point though ;)

[FuzzyCat @ Jul 10th 2008 6:40AM]

@Jeff

Shakespeare was first and it's "All that glisters is not gold" from the Merchant Of Venice.

[Dave @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:59PM]

He's quoting led zepplin. That or Smash Mouth.. though I hope it's the former.

[Mystery @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:20PM]

I don't know about you, but it's July the 4th here, so right on time
as far as I'm concerned.

[7on @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:38PM]

LIES!! FUTURE MAN!

[Nate DiDonato @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:54PM]

I swear 90% of the commenters on this site have no decency to think that maybe, just MAYBE, there are people here that actually CARE about something that is open source and fully programmable.

In fact, I will agree with many that this phone is not for me.
I lost interest about a year ago, and with my life now I don't have the time to develop for a phone. I'm spending enough time trying to keep up with internet technologies, so I can make good websites and make the net suck less.

Also note that this phone is not going to be in stores. At least there's no plans to, and I think that's how it should be.

So to everyone complaining, you're not going to have to stare at this at the phone booth in the mall on your way to the Apple store.

The price and the features of the FreeRunner are NOT trying to "compete" with the iPhone or any Windows Mobile devices, but now Joe Shmoe can make some killer app that all his fellow FreeRunner users will scream about, and maybe Microsoft and Apple will take notice and do something similar on their phone OSes.

There is no possible way this phone could be priced cheaper, even though it was largely developed overseas. If the iPhone didn't drop to $200 less people would complain, but OpenMoko is not Apple. They don't have the resources and established market to price their product for the common consumer.

Everyone rips off everyone else in the technology industry. This phone opens a new path so a lot more people can get involved and ideas can come to life.

Get it?