OpenMoko's Neo FreeRunner is shipping, getting itself unboxed

If you're a Linux fanboy with a hankering for some mobile action, you'll be pleased to know that buyers of the retail, North American version of OpenMoko's Neo FreeRunner have started getting shipments. If you hit the read link, you'll be able to see one lucky owner unboxing his new toy, complete with a spares kit and debug board (this guy is getting into it, okay?). This set of photos should be a nice companion to that in-depth look at the OS we saw recently. Now we're going to be on pins and needles finding out what gets cooked up for that spacious 480 x 640 screen.

[Via Slashdot]

[konshuss @ Jul 15th 2008 4:48PM]

that little security code token looking thing is the phone?

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Jul 15th 2008 5:11PM]

Sadly, yes. I don't think this thing will catch on very well

[5thMeridian @ Jul 15th 2008 4:51PM]

Bingo: you got it!

It also plays crysis.

[Todd @ Jul 15th 2008 4:52PM]

I am a linux fanboy, and have been waiting for this for years, but man, bad timing OpenMoko! 3G iPhone launches the same week.

3G iPhone = Super hawt runway model strutting her stuff down the cat walk, turns and says "I'm available."

FreeRunner = Ralph Wiggum walks down cat walk and says "The doctor says I wouldn't get as many nose bleeds if I kept my finger out of there..."

[kjb434 @ Jul 15th 2008 5:10PM]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Jul 15th 2008 5:11PM]

One of the most accurate examples ever!

[paul @ Jul 15th 2008 6:18PM]

Yeah, but the iPhone is kind of a pain in the ass, needy as hell, and is kind of a gold digger. Plus you really can never tell what she's up to at night.

[michas_pi @ Jul 15th 2008 4:57PM]

It's a mobile phone.

[Paul Dullford @ Jul 15th 2008 5:03PM]

Wow, it's shipping? I thought this day would never come in my lifetime (I'm currently 14, to add to the irony).
That's a seriously high-res screen, and the battery's replacable, so I expect that the FreeRunner will put up serious competition against the AT&T-locked iPhone ... that is, as soon as it gets 3G, more internal storage, a lower price, some decent multimedia playing capabilities, multi-touch and a nice camera.

[SoloSalsa @ Jul 15th 2008 5:36PM]

Talk about replaceable batteries: this person has three!

[WillHe @ Jul 15th 2008 9:11PM]

Internal storage, multitouch, and a camera would be nice additions.

Don't bet on 3G any time soon. This phone is truely open, meaning open hardware and software. No 3G tech is currently open and if FIC tried to cut deals with companies, it would probably get laughed at.

Media playback is software-based, so you can probably expect good playback once software development on this revision is farther.

Lower price? This is a relatively normal price for a new unlocked smartphone. The iPhone is $599 and $699 unlocked in the states, Moto Q is $399, Blackjack 2 is $349, Treo 750 is $499, and so on.

[CaptSaltyJack @ Jul 15th 2008 5:05PM]

GPRS.. fail.

[Francesco @ Jul 15th 2008 5:08PM]

Nice!

[gstar @ Jul 15th 2008 5:18PM]

Missing the point people. It's all about DIY.

[Kaiser-Machead @ Jul 15th 2008 5:32PM]

Isn't anyone else opposed to products that can unbox themselves? I think I speak for everyone when I say that Johnny5 should be the only thing on earth that can do this.

[gstar @ Jul 15th 2008 5:37PM]

If only I knew anything about Linux!!! I want this, but I'd have to take a some classes to really do anything with it.

[madderhatter @ Jul 15th 2008 5:47PM]

Seriously... how hard is it to take a picture that isn't blurry?

[Slick @ Jul 15th 2008 6:01PM]

Pictures... FAIL

Worse yet you gave Kodak bad publicity by listing what camera you took these with.

[Wwhat @ Jul 15th 2008 10:56PM]

Yeah this is the most awful effort EVER.

[Chris Macdonald @ Jul 15th 2008 5:56PM]

at least clak can read

[Phil @ Jul 15th 2008 6:07PM]

Looks like people aren't quite sure what the Freerunner is all about. It's not currently in competition with any consumer mobile phone. Like the GP2X in its very early days it's very much a back to basics developer-only device with oodles of potential waiting for a talented developer community to unlock.

I believe that once a sufficient amount of software has been independently developed the results will be packaged up with the Freerunner and then marketed as a more consumer friendly device.

Unfortunately, Jailbroken iPhones will continue be attracting the same sort of developers so there may be competition for talent!

[GP @ Jul 15th 2008 7:57PM]

better pics on > http://www.snmoore.net/openmoko/pictures/freerunner/

[bjay @ Jul 16th 2008 2:28AM]

Excuse me, plain old GPRS. That doesn't cut it till some thing better comes up. I agree to the poster that say mere mortals need to take lessons to use the phone

[??? @ Jul 17th 2008 12:45AM]

Why did they make it a phone? I think it would have done better as an mp3 player or something with that screen.