Filed under: Cellphones

We know — it takes time to really dig deep within an open-source device (particularly a handset), but now that a few months have ticked by since OpenMoko’s Neo FreeRunner began shipping in North America, we figured there was never a better time to ask how your experience has been. The unorthodox mobile isn’t for the faint of heart (or the technology-challenged, truthfully), but for the hackers and tinkerers out there who splurged for one in hopes of finding their new favorite toy, how have things been? Is the interface friendly enough? Are there too many limitations? Is the design to your liking? Give it to us straight down in comments below — how would you change this purty piece of Linux-infused kit?

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Filed under: Cellphones

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]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

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]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Unless you’re very, very special, you haven’t yet had an opportunity to run your hands over Openmoko’s latest open-source creation, the FreeRunner, which was announced several months back with the hope of a spring release. Unlike the Neo1973 before it, the FreeRunner’s said to be chock full of enough spit and polish to take on an audience larger than the original’s hardcore developer base, and while a springtime date with destiny is now out of reach, it looks like they’ll only miss the mark by a few days. A recent message from Openmoko’s VP of marketing on the community listserv said that the retail phones should be packed and shipped by tomorrow and — if all goes well, of course — should clear customs by the first of July, meaning buyers should be able to get them delivered in the first week or two of the month. If they’d been able to squeeze in 3G, we’d hardly be able to contain ourselves, but even as it is, we suspect there’s enough buzz to get units sold; let’s just hope they’re already hard at work on version three.

[Via The Inquirer Spanish]

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