Openmoko Shows Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep
SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--
Openmoko, maker of open source mobile products, today announced
that it has taken another step in opening its mobile platform to the
development community by announcing it will publish the schematics for
the Neo 1973 and Neo FreeRunner mobile phones. Openmoko broke with
traditional mobile phone manufacturers by shipping its Neo 1973 and
Neo FreeRunner mobile phones with a free and open source (FOSS)
operating system and open applications, enabling developers to take
the functionality of the phone well beyond the limited applications
that commercial mobile phones can handle. The Neo FreeRunner went on
sale July 4, 2008. In less than a week the initial Neo FreeRunner
allocation had sold out.
Openmoko has previously published the CAD files for the product
under a Creative Commons license so product designers can alter the
look and feel of the phone case and craft it to suit such vertical
markets as fashion, science, medical, industrial, or enterprise.
Developers can also choose other materials for manufacturing the case,
making more appealing to fashion tastes or enabling the phone to
withstand rugged environments and harsh use.
Now, Openmoko announced it will publish the schematics of the
phone, giving engineers free reign to modify Neo phones. Just as Free
and Open Source Software provides source code information, open
schematics provide vital information to engineers who may want to add
functionality, external instruments or sensors, or assist the company
in debugging problems, ultimately creating a better product for the
entire mobile community.
GPS Schematics Available
Most recently, u-blox AG, Switzerland, maker of the GPS chip in
the Openmoko phones, endorsed Openmoko's publishing the complete
schematics for the GPS chip in the Neo FreeRunner phones. The
schematics now document how the GPS chip is wired into the system,
providing vital information for developers who want to leverage the
GPS functionality for new designs involving the Openmoko phones.
"We fully support Openmoko's decision to publish the schematics of
the u-blox GPS receivers," said u-blox CEO, Thomas Seiler. "It is
vitally important that developers have access to this data and it
improves product quality. Going forward we think that more
manufactures and more consumers will demand open architecture products
with optimum performance."
"Why should industry be afraid of opening up its design?" asked
Openmoko CEO, Sean Moss-Pultz. "Schematics are simply another form of
documentation and vital to future success, service and satisfaction in
the market. We believe our products would be incomplete without them."
"One of the freedoms we value the most is the freedom to explore.
To fully understand the details of complex systems, to adapt and
enhance them," said Openmoko Architect, Werner Almesberger. "We now
take our commitment to openness to the next level by releasing our
schematics to the public, allowing anyone to find out how the system
works and how to improve it."
The release of the schematics will covered under a Creative
Commons license and files will be posted in due course on openmoko.com
and openmoko.org
Openmoko will show the Neo FreeRunner at LinuxWorld Expo, Moscone
Center, San Francisco August 5-7 at booth 1625 and at the LinuxWorld
Garage 1234.
The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner has been selected as a finalist the
LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards, to be presented at LinuxWorld
Conference & Expo(R) this week in San Francisco. Judged by a group of
respected industry experts managed by LinuxWorld.com, the LinuxWorld
Product Excellence Awards recognize product and service innovations by
LinuxWorld(R) and NGDC exhibitors in 12 different categories.
Open Mobile Free
Openmoko frees developers from constraints of closed mobile
architectures so they can apply the power of mobility and a flexible
development platform to create mobile applications for specialized
markets. Using the Openmoko mobile platform, the Free and Open Source
Software (FOSS) community and developers can create unique versions of
the FreeRunner phone, modifying the way the phone operates and even
the way it looks. CAD files publicly available under a Creative
Commons license make it easy for industrial designers to change the
appearance of the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner and select alternate
materials and finishes to tailor the phone's look and feel.
Distributors in the EU have already received shipments of the
Openmoko Neo FreeRunner.
Pricing and availability
The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner has a suggested retail price of $399.
Openmoko will restock and sell the phone directly from it its webshop
www.Openmoko.com and via distributors in the EU, India and North
America.
About Openmoko
Openmoko is the commercial and community driven effort with a
mission to create open mobile products that empower developers and
consumers to personalize their devices, much like a computer, in any
way they see fit. Openmoko is dedicated to helping innovators bring
freedom and flexibility to consumer electronics and vertical market
devices. For the latest information about Openmoko, visit
www.Openmoko.com.
Openmoko
Steven Mosher, 408-313-9284
Vice President Marketing
steve@openmoko.com
or
Pat Meier Associates Public Relations
Pat Meier-Johnson, 415-389-1700
415-717-9677 (mobile)
patmeier@patmeier.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
