OpenMoko is out today!

[aktiwers]

The 900series are already sold out.

http://www.openmoko.com/product.html

Would you get one? I'm considering it.

[spamzilla]

Yep I want one. Just need to make sure t-mobile works on the phone (t-mobile were unsure on this) then I'll buy the phone :D

[Mateo]

Nope, mediocre hardware. It's way way way overpriced. For that hardware it should be no more than $150.

[kaivalagi]

No I wouldn't get one, it's looks clunky and is the first of it's kind. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a decent mobile running Linux, it's just got to be better than that...

Probably better off waiting for an android mobile / Intel Atom based device towards the end of the year. Ubuntu Mobile will be a possibility by then...

[diablo75]

I don't like the way it looks.... But it's still a small step for mankind.

[klange]

Nope, mediocre hardware. It's way way way overpriced. For that hardware it should be no more than $150.

They "totally bombed" with the graphics chipset, basically screw themselves over.

I have quite a few disagreements with both the hardware and software developers behind OpenMoko, which I have said many times, and it will be a cold day in hell when I find myself purchasing one of their phones.

[Ebuntor]

They "totally bombed" with the graphics chipset, basically screw themselves over..

What's wrong with the graphics chipset? They didn't get it working properly or something like that?

[Mateo]

Biggest problem is that this thing doesn't even support EDGE. If you're coming out with a new smartphone you should really have 3G, but to not even have EDGE? Is this 2005? Inexcusable. Doesn't support UMA either, which it really should. For the hardware's disappointment, open-source doesn't justify a 300% mark-up.

[wrtpeeps]

£230 for that?!

[klange]

What's wrong with the graphics chipset? They didn't get it working properly or something like that?
Pretty much. The way that have it wired doesn't allow it to work at even half of its potential, and they have no plans of ever fixing it. The result is that you can't watch videos at full resolution (notice the screen is 640x480, you can just barely watch a 320x240 before it has trouble), they also can't (and won't) do any form of compositing, which I must say is the future of all graphical interfaces and the lack of it is very disappointing (I remember looking at the old interface mockups that would require compositing, they were rather nice, but are never going to happen now).


It'll be an Android for me, k?

[mrgnash]

The asking price is way too much :(

[KhaaL]

I don't get it, the price is fine compared to other smartphones?

What I'd like to see for this phone is some migration tools to import contacts, dictionary words, SMSes etc to the Freerunner.

Personally, I'd also rather get a android, but they won't come to europe for a long, long time I'm afraid. And I need a phone soon, my K750i is so torn it's about to dissolve to atoms :(

[wrtpeeps]

I don't get it, the price is fine compared to other smartphones?

What I'd like to see for this phone is some migration tools to import contacts, dictionary words, SMSes etc to the Freerunner.

Personally, I'd also rather get a android, but they won't come to europe for a long, long time I'm afraid. And I need a phone soon, my K750i is so torn it's about to dissolve to atoms :(

Other, better featured smartphones.

[Jim!]

lack of 3G and camera was my first reason for not wanting it, but now after hearing other bad things about it I definitely don't want one:) Plus I'm cheap and cant afford it;)

[KhaaL]

lack of 3G and camera was my first reason for not wanting it, but now after hearing other bad things about it I definitely don't want one:) Plus I'm cheap and cant afford it;)

Could you state what bad things it has? Don't forget the sources :)

[wrtpeeps]

Could you state what bad things it has? Don't forget the sources :)

THe 2 he quoted are bad enough. If you look bad at the thread there is a problem with the screen connection too.

[spamzilla]

Could you state what bad things it has? Don't forget the sources :)

Reading various posts / threads / articles, it's probably best to wait till their next release. Read me. (https://www.truebox.co.uk/trueboxportal/index.php?wk=OpenMokoCaution2)

I do want this phone, but I think that this release will cause a lot of headaches for the end users.

[hoagie]

I really want one, but the lack of 3G is a real drawback.

[ssam]

i might get one when my current phone dies. but i think my nokia 3330 might live for ever.

[spamzilla]

i might get one when my current phone dies. but i think my nokia 3330 might live for ever.

:lolflag::lolflag::lolflag:

[bvanaerde]

I'm really curious about what software is already available on the phone, how it looks, and if it's really working.

I haven't found a single review yet. That's a bit weird, considering that a lot of people have been waiting for its release, and since the European version is already sold out, I guess some people must have used it already...

[fluteflute]

As far as I can tell its not stable enough to use for everyday use yet. So I guess I won't be getting one anytime soon.

[radtek]

I ordered a Freerunner last week.

If I can make & receive calls I'll be happy. Everything else will be a work in progress. I'm OK with that.

I can see people balking at the price tag- well, $400 isn't much of a stretch considering most phones' price tags are exorbitant unless one renews or signs a contract. Of course, those phone should work completely.

I believe the Neo's cost is worthwhile. Being involved with and on the cusp of something so potentially great is such an opportunity that it shouldn't be missed.

I'm not expecting this phone to be perfect out of the box; what I really see is the potential for the phone to look and behave in a manner of my choosing.

Lack of 3G and polyphonic ringtones isn't a disaster. Wifi access and GPRS (2.5) is adequate enough, at least for my own immediate needs.

Too soon to start bashing a product so fresh and recently available.

[Mateo]

The product will never even have EDGE. Ever.

By the way, the product isn't fresh. It's been in development for well over 2 years. The launch was supposed to happen in November of 2006. It was "almost ready" even way back then. So it's not fresh at all. It was fresh when it was conceived but since then the hardware is now archaic and the software still not much better than in September of 2007 when they started focusing on software.

[chucky chuckaluck]

listen to all you naysayers in here. i'll bet this thing does even better than the greenphone.

[radtek]

Well, I'll let ya'll know when the phone arrives...

I might beg for some help!

I'll concede that the lack of 3G is a deal-breaker for many. I'm fortunate that I work within a huge web of open AP's and the phone will give me access where no mobile signal can reach at times.

I just learned about OpenMoko 01/08- Googled open-source phone on a whim and found it! I'd have bought one then but the website seemed to discourage non-dev buyers. This appears to have changed since 07/04.The emphasis looks like they want to move it closer to a public release to help iron out the bugs in a true Linux fashion. Like someone mentioned before- Ubuntu has cleaned up real nice, but it has taken users... Despite the age of the project, the phone probably is a surprise for many- especially enthusiastic recent converts to open software.

[radtek]

Got the NeoFR this afternoon. Popped in my AT&T simcard and I was able to make calls, send and receive messages. Now for the initial critique:

1. The phone is lighter and smaller than I expected. The same for the very high resolution screen.

2. Some lag when initializing applications, but not annoyingly slow. The same can be said for the basic default boot process. I love to see the code scroll in true linux fashion! Boot time is more like a PC than a phone and is around a minute.

3. Almost everything else is disabled or doesn't have the actual app installed yet, despite some icons such as the calender existing but doing nothing when tapped.

4. I was able to connect from my lappy to the phone via usb using the terminal. I was also able to navigate the directories but the 'ls' command returned nothing in contrast with the phone's terminal giving up the goods.

5. The input is mostly user friendly but a little small while the dialer is perfect for fingers. I will install the 'keyboard' asap. I'm a little disappointed that I have to install this feature manually.

6. In-call volume adjustment doesn't work. I can see no apparent way through the GUI to change any of the sound features including choice of ringtones. That'll be an easy fix through the terminal as soon I can find out how to do it. Alsamixer is accessed through the terminal.

I'm trying to be brief so I'll jump to a preliminary assessment. It works, but unless one enjoys looking and figuring out how to make things work it might not be the ideal choice for a first phone. However, in the hand(s) of a dedicated individual this device will probably shine. Good thing I am such a person...

If you can afford this item and have the desire/need for the additional geek cred or are willing to put some extra effort and time in to have a cool phone- well, I'll heartily recommend the FreeRunner based on my initial usage.

[spydon]

I bought one too, its simply awesum!

And hey you can run android on it and check out WE phone too.

I dont care if it's expensive, I really want to put my vote as a consumer on things like this.

[barbedsaber]

I would love to get one, but I am not the one who pays for my phone, my mum does (I don't use it that much, so she has no issue with paying my bill, and I have no issue with her paying it.) When I get a new phone, I think I will have a hard time convincing her to buy a phone for hundreds of dollars, rather that get the phone that comes for free with the plan. I would rather she pays that 50 or 60 bucks a year and get a proprietary phone, than buy the phone myself. (I clearly hate freedom)

[Monkwarrior]

I like mine allready, tho it's not very stable yet.
It totally hangs after each phone call.

I would really appreciate it if anyone could describe the steps to make connection between ubuntu and the openmoko so I can do an update & upgrade.

Monk.

[aktiwers]

I think the Qtopia interface should work better, but I have really seen/read some bad reviews

[bvanaerde]

I think the Qtopia interface should work better, but I have really seen/read some bad reviews

Can you share the links, if you still have them?
I haven't found any decent review yet...

[aktiwers]

These are pretty new.. I know they don't dig that deep, but they sure pointed on some serious issues IMO and made me laugh a bit at the same time.
http://www.hackaday.com/2008/07/19/openmoko-usability-review/
http://www.vimeo.com/1366923

[wrtpeeps]

These are pretty new.. I know they don't dig that deep, but they sure pointed on some serious issues IMO and made me laugh a bit at the same time.
http://www.hackaday.com/2008/07/19/openmoko-usability-review/
http://www.vimeo.com/1366923

Hey, it may be totally crap (as highlighted in the videos), but at least it's free. :rolleyes: (That was sarcasm)

[Monkwarrior]

Nevermind, found a good install guide for the openmoko.
http://sebastian-bergmann.de/archives/801-OpenMoko-Freerunner-and-Ubuntu.html

Monk.

[BreakDecks]

I would rather get a Greenphone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenphone).

[Monkwarrior]

Well production of the green phone has stopped and they shifted software production to the Neo.

Monk.

[jeyaganesh]

Have a look at some of nice OpenMoko youtube videos;
Simple preview - http://youtube.com/watch?v=k9QLdK6pFCI&feature=related

Tango GPS on OpenMoko - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn7wuxlTNvs&NR=1

Browser demo - http://youtube.com/watch?v=btY2SFVrOsc&feature=related

Media Player - http://youtube.com/watch?v=_BUMhJKlxJA&feature=related

The phone looks bulk in size. :popcorn:

[spydon]

These are pretty new.. I know they don't dig that deep, but they sure pointed on some serious issues IMO and made me laugh a bit at the same time.
http://www.hackaday.com/2008/07/19/openmoko-usability-review/
http://www.vimeo.com/1366923

He just missed one thing in his reviews, the software is NOT ready yet. So its really not fair comparing it to a phone like iPhone that has stable software.

[steefjeqv]

Hi,

I've just ordered one (Pulster - Germany).

It should arrive at the end of September.

Debian is now running on the Neo Freerunner :

http://wiki.debian.org/DebianOnFreeRunner

http://lists.linuxtogo.org/pipermail/smartphones-standards/2008-August/000232.html

Greetings,
Steven

[Skorzen]

I'm really considering in buying one of those, but only when it gets into a stable state of development. How long would it take? I don't know.

[altariel]

I got one today!!! :biggrin:8-):guitar:
(well, I should say my company bought one but *I* will be using it so :) ... )