Preview: OpenMoko's Neo1973

In our world of instant access and multi-function PDA/phone/thingamajiggery, we demand more. The iPhone, while cool, leaves many people a bit flustered. The price, the allegiance to Apple, and a contract with AT&T can be extremely unappealing.

Ever wish there was an open-source alternative?

Thank goodness for OpenMoko's Neo1973. The OpenMoko is in essence an open-source version of (that phone from Apple), created by First International Computer and a host of online developers.

The OpenMoko Neo1973 is the first open-source touch screen smartphone ever created. It's named after the year that the first cellular phone call was made. The core team behind the OpenMoko project are: Sean Moss-Pultz, Program Manager, Harald Welte, Lead System Level Architect, Mickey Lauer, Lead Framework / Application Architect, and Werner Almesberger, System Level Architect.

The main benefits of the OpenMoko:

-Runs on an open-source Linux Kernel
-GSM Sim cards
-Removable media (microSD)
-Removable battery

Hardware specs on the OpenMoko Neo1973:

120.7 x 62 x 18.5 (mm)

Weighs184 grams

Touchscreen
2.8" VGA (480x640) TFT Screen
Samsung s3c2410 (266 MHz)
Global Locate AGPS chip
Ti GPRS (2.5G, not EDGE technology)
Unpowered USB 1.1
MicroSD slot
2.5mm audio jack
1200 mAh battery
128 MB SDRAM
64 MB NAND Flash
Bluetooth (2.0)

Multi-language support

(No camera, yet)

An update will soon be released with b and g Wi-Fi, a SMedia 3362 G graphics accelerator, additional NAND flash (256MB) and a faster Samsung 400MHz CPU.

The Neo1973 (without wifi capabilities) is already available in limited quantities on openmoko.com and is priced at $300 for a basic kit and $450 for a developers kit.

The Neo 1973 runs the Linux 2.6.17 kernel, with GTK (A multi-platform toolkit for graphical user interfaces) and Matchbox (a graphical interface, see matchbox-project.org). Drivers for the 1973 are under both General Public License and linux non-disclosure. The touch screen is designed to be used with either fingers or a stylus.

The initial offering is intended for developers to smooth out the software so that the vast community of open-source programmers and developers, rather than a corporation, defines the use and function of the device. Users will be able to download and define their experience with the device, as well as modify the existing software for their needs.

Rather than opening the case and voiding a warranty, the Neo1973 demands to be opened and explored. The issue of a warranty is a moot point; if you purchase the device, you're expected to know how to configure electronics.

The retail launch occurs (according to www.openmoko.com) in October of 2007.

The OpenMoko project is dedicated to digital democracy and the open-source philosophy; a few dedicated individuals with a little bit of elbow grease can create technology to rival corporations. Soon we'll have a smartphone to prove it.

For the official website, try visiting: www.openmoko.org

For technical specs: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/IPhone

For a gallery of pictures of the Neo1973, try: http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/Neo1973