for: Openmoko Linux

Openmoko is a project which encompasses two related sub-projects, with the combined aim of creating a family of open source mobile phones. The project was founded by FIC.

The first sub-project is Openmoko Linux, a Linux based operating system designed for mobile phones, built using free software.

The second sub-project is the development of hardware devices on which Openmoko Linux runs. The first device released was the Neo 1973,

Openmoko Linux

main: Openmoko Linux

Openmoko Linux is the software subproject of Openmoko. It uses the Linux kernel, together with a graphical user environment built using the X.Org Server, GTK+ toolkit, and the Matchbox window manager. The 2008 April Software Update (ASU) has added support for the Qt toolkit and Enlightenment 17. The OpenEmbedded build framework and ipkg package system (currently being replaced by the newer opkg package system) are used to create and maintain software packages.

Native applications can be developed and compiled using various languages including C and C++.

Initial versions of the software are developed for the hardware developed by the Openmoko project (Neo 1973 and Neo FreeRunner devices from FIC). There has been moderate effort as yet in using the OS on other hardware platforms.

Openmoko hardware

As many other vendors, FIC notoriously failed to meet the publicly announced hardware release dates moving them further into the future multiple times. This caused the project to be often rumoured as vaporware.Fact: date=September 2008

The first supported phone, the Neo 1973 GTA01 (version: Bv4), was distributed exclusively through openmoko.com from July 2007 to February 2008.

The second revision of hardware based on the GTA01 design is the Dash Express, an automotive navigation system. The Dash Express has a faster CPU (Samsung 2440) and Wi-Fi ability.

The third hardware platform, the Neo FreeRunner codenamed GTA02 is an improved version of the Neo 1973. At least two further models are currently planned or developed in the GTA phone series.

Neo 1973

main: Neo 1973

The Neo 1973 (codenamed GTA01) phone was a "developers only" release. This phone supports the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz GSM frequency bands. It can run the Qtopia user interface in addition to the Openmoko developed GTK+ stack. Many Linux and unix programs used on desktop and server platforms, including utilities and games, have been successfully run on the phone. In addition to Linux, the NetBSD, FreeBSD and L4 kernels have been adapted by users to run on the platform or are under development. The bootloader used to start the operating system kernel is U-boot and allows the various maintenance tasks such as software updates to be performed.