OpenMoko Linux phone to get Wi-Fi, faster chip

OpenMoko's Neo FreeRunner to ship this spring to developers.

(Credit: OpenMoko)

OpenMoko is upgrading its Linux-based mobile phone with a faster processor, Wi-Fi networking, and better graphics abilities, the company said Thursday.

The Neo FreeRunner has a faster 500MHz processor, compared with 266MHz for the Neo 1973 introduced last July.

It's also got built-in hardware for 2D and 3D graphics along with new motion sensors that can trigger automated behavior. The wireless networking supports the 802.11b/g standards.

The company will preview the new version at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week and begin selling it to developers in the spring.

OpenMoko is a subsidiary of First International Computer, based in Taiwan.

[doughboy_10466]

Linux phone?

I've never heard of this phone. Now that I have, I want to know
1)what it can do, 2) what network does it operate on, 3) is it up my
ally, and if so, 4) how I can get my hands on one.

[pjhenry1216]

not available yet

or at least not a consumer-ready version. you can get a development version of the earlier one mentioned in the article for 300-399 USD(depending on which package). from the warnings, its clearly only useful to work on development for it, not to use as an actual phone. in terms of the type of network it works on, i'm fairly certain its at least tri-band gsm. not sure if it covers anything else.