OpenMoko gains some independence
OpenMoko's Neo1973 Linux-powered phone
(Credit: OpenMoko)Google's Android project has stolen most of the thunder, but another Linux-based mobile phone effort is still making a go of it, and on Wednesday, OpenMoko announced it's gained a measure of independence.
OpenMoko now is a separate operation of its parent company, Taiwan-based First International Computer. In addition, the company announced two new employees: Steven Mosher, vice president of worldwide marketing and formerly of Creative Labs; and Wolfgang Spraul, vice president of engineering and formerly of DataViz. In November, the company hired Carsten "The Rasterman" Haitzler to be lead graphics architect. Haitzler is creator of the Enlightenment window manager software, which he said he plans to extend for mobile devices.
OpenMoko's first phone, the Neo1973, went on sale in July. Also on Wednesday, OpenMoko said Dash Navigation is using its software to power an Internet-connected GPS device, the Dash Express. FIC Mobility will manufacture the device, FIC said.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
We all crushed aero and quartz a long time ago, but we still have hot competition going on. I find this fascinating.
Next up, a game mode for Ubuntu where the DE and all non-active apps are suspended to swap while playing games to increase available RAM and reduce possibility of distraction. This should be especially handy with psubuntu, wiili, and xbox-linux... they always skimp on RAM with consoles..