OpenPhone Finally Ships

Okay, enough theopolitics. How about some tech news?

The OpenMoko phone is finally shipping, although only in Europe and Asia at the moment. Mod-Bog readers may remember the OpenMoko platform as an attempt at an "free" (as in freedom) iPhone competitor. It has a touchscreen with Wifi, cell voice and data coverage, a powerful processor, and is built on the free Linux operating system. While the iPhone is a "walled garden" where you are not allowed to modify the underlying OS and you can only install apps that Apple approves, OpenMoko is hackable on all levels, from hardware to software.

Don't think this kind of thing has a hope of penetrating the market in light of Apple's iPhone, Microsoft's WindowsMobile, and Google's Android? You may be surprised, as the two-GPS system "Dash Express" is built on the designs originally published for OpenMoko.

First look at the OpenMoko "Anti-iPhone"

If you are sick of the iPhone news, and looking for a platform looking to take it on then look no further. Wired has up an early hands-on look at the OpenMoko. It is a Linux-based smartphone built from the ground up to be OPEN. (i.e. While the iPhone allows you to install NOTHING that Apple doesn't like, OpenMoko ENCOURAGES you to install ANYTHING.) It runs Linux and has a snazzy interface. Right now, it is only out in developer quantities, but look for it around Christmas time in much larger supply. And this device allegedly will cost only $300 with no contract, and be useable on any GSM/GPRS network.

I think it is a great entrant into the field. If Apple had not released the iPhone, it probably would have been the device to replace my Sidekick III. And frankly, if competition makes for greatness, seeing the iPhone and OpenMoko competing for the "best smartphone" moniker could lead to some really exciting applications for all of us.