Ubuntu Mobile vs OpenMoko: Overlap but not quite the same?

[Tadpole]

What do you make of these two projects? Ubuntu Mobile is targeting "mobile internet devices" (MIDs) like the Pepper Pad. OpenMoko is targeting smartphones. In theory, these are totally different devices with different purposes, but in practice they appear to overlap quite a bit.

To see what I mean, take a look at this picture (http://people.openmoko.org/sean/specifications/images/main_menu.png) of the OpenMoko main menu and compare it with this mockup (http://sinecera.de/apps_0.3.png) of Ubuntu Mobile. Or take a look at this list (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Applications) of OpenMoko applications and compare it with this one (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MobileAndEmbedded/UserApplications) of possible Ubuntu Mobile apps.

Do you see the issue? Having either of these devices would be great, but having both would be awkward. Should I email with my phone, or my MID? In which should I put my calendar entries and contacts? Here's a real-world example of this overlap: the calendar/tasks/contacts app called pimlico (http://pimlico-project.org/) is making a version for both OpenMoko and Ubuntu Mobile.

EDIT: I should add that this same problem arises whenever you have both a smartphone and an internet tablet. It's almost as if they are two competing visions for the future.

[NilsHG]

personally, i rather see the problem in deciding what device to get. why have both if they overlap so much? I`d go for the openmoko.

[jusmurph]

Looks like it is going to be decided in the market place.

[Tadpole]

personally, i rather see the problem in deciding what device to get. why have both if they overlap so much? I`d go for the openmoko.

I agree, and this is exactly why I'm skeptical of the whole notion that MIDs are going to be a big thing. They seem like a resurrection of palms and pocket PCs, which have since been made obsolete because all the functionality can be found in phones. You could argue that the MIDs have bigger screens, but if they're not pocketable then why not use a 10 or 12 inch laptop?

I'm not saying that the Ubuntu Mobile project is pointless. It's being built on intel's menlow platform, which is small enough for pocketable devices. If it was turned into a direct competitor to OpenMoko by integrating phone functionality, it could be very interesting. That may be hard due to its horizontal screen orientation, though.

[tuxis4leg]

I think Ubuntu mobile would be great if it was specially designed to fit in with desktop versions of Ubuntu for things like syncing.
I like umpc/mid devices because I think shrinking a laptop produces better results from glorifying a mobile phone.

why not call Ubuntu mobile umbuntu (um for Ultra Mobile) it's better English (ubuntu mobile)(agahrhr, wrong way round) and sounds less like your pretending to be micro$oft.

[amitabhishek]

I have dabbled enough with Openmoko both through QEmu and the actual phone and I must add that in its current form this phone is doomed. Though the concept is noble its actually the hardware (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo_FreeRunner_Hardware) thats holding this phone back. At $400 its not yet a value for money not even for an enthusiast!

However this mockup of Ubuntu Mobile looks cool!