Open Moko + Neo 1973 — Hands On
A completely open mobile phone is to die for.
Chad Page, a friend in the Santa Barbara Linux User Group (SBLUG), is one of the first 200 or so developers to receive an Open Moko + Neo 1973 developer kit. At the SBLUG meeting last week, Chad demonstrated his Neo 1973 phone running Open Moko.
The Open Moko software is now an early “pre-alpha” drop. Chad had already recompiled the Linux system, so we were able to watch him upload a new system image over the USB connection. It worked.
The Neo phone is sweet. It’s about the size as my Treo 700p. The significantly larger screen (longer, not wider) screen VGA display supports 640 x 480, better than the iPhone.
The very rounded, lightweight Neo 1973 feels good in the hand. Like the iPhone, it has only two buttons. The on board keyboard currently requires a stylus.
The Neo 1973 is an early example of the open source revolution applied to mobile phones. Everything except the software controlling low level GSM radio function is open source. (FCC regulations mandate that radio functions are off limits.)
The next version of the Neo 1973 phone is officially due in October, but buzz on the street suggests that early 2008 is more likely. When Neo version 2 ships, I’ll buy one unless something better comes along.
A completely open mobile phone is to die for.