現在用的電話是e680i，雖然用Linux為操作系統，能telnet進去修改系統，但沒有SDK，加入軟件也很麻煩，不算是真的很”Open”的平台，別人問要不要買，我真的不太好意思提議……
在硬件上這部電話並不差，只恨軟件不足，早就想換機了。受情意結所限，很多機種是不作考慮的，剛好那時Trolltech發布消息要推出Greenphone電話。就如其他發燒友一樣抱著熱切的期望－然後很快就被規格及售價撥了一頭冷水……
這番期望落空，只能慢慢等待OpenEZX的開發（未有時間參與……），或寄望於有像Neuros Technology那麼開明的公司出現。二者比較起來我較傾向相信前者，雖然也是一條崎嶇之路，而結果……哈，居然真的有那樣的公司來參一腳。
今天收到了一封標題為”Free Your Phone”的信件，由OpenMoko計劃發出，這是個由一間台灣公司FIC所推動的計劃，目標是為推出一部真正Open Source的電話。內容除提及了已有的規格資料外，還有價格，及Road Map等資料。其中road map那部份比其他公司的更加詳細，可不是只有幾句簡短說話。
在規格上，比較突出的是有2.8″的VGA顯示及GPS功能，Kernel的版是2.6.17，比起一般其他Linux智能電話所用的2.4版本新許多。至於價錢上，街價未知，但開發版本只賣USD$ 350，不論規格及價錢都比GreenPhone吸引得多了。從信的內容看，他們應該是很有心的去做，不會令我再次失望吧。 :)
FIC Neo1973
規格:
FIC Neo1973:
* 120.7 x 62 x 18.5 (mm)
* 2.8″ VGA (480×640) TFT Screen
* Samsung s3c2410 SoC @ 266 MHz
* Global Locate AGPS chip
* Ti GPRS (2.5G not EDGE)
* Unpowered USB 1.1
* Touchscreen
* micro-sd slot
* 2.5mm audio jack
* 2 additional buttons
* 1200 mAh battery (charged over USB)
* 128 MB SDRAM
* 64 MB NAND Flash
* Bluetooth (2.0)
軟件
* Linux 2.6.17.14
* gcc 4.1.1
* binutils 2.17.50.0.5
* glibc 2.4
* Xorg 7.1
* glib 2.6.4
* gtk 2.6.10
* dbus 0.9
* eds
* (more)
原文：
Dear Community,
“The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it.”
Mark Weiser wrote those words almost 15 years ago in a Scientific American article titled, “The Computer for the 21st Century.” In it, he coined the term “ubiquitous computing”, and proposed a set of ground rules for devices of the 21st century.
Temporally, we’re here. Technologically, we’re close. But everyone still seems to be talking about ubiquitous computing like a mirage on desert road: it’s always the same distance away. Sometimes looking at common every day objects with a fresh perspective yields interesting new ideas. Today we’re going to propose that the foundation for ubiquitous computing is already here. All that is stopping us from going forward is change of context.
Almost everyone we know has a mobile phone. Mobile phones have become part of the fabric of everyday life. Does this mean that the mobile phone is the ubiquitous computing device we’ve all waited for?
Currently, no. But with a subtle change we would argue, yes.
Mobile phones are closed environments created with a mobile context in mind. But this concept is limiting; a mobile phone has the potential to be a platform that can do anything that a small computer with broadband access can do. If mobile phones were based on open platforms, they would have the potential to bring computing to people in a ways traditional computers cannot. Mobile phones can become ubiquitous computers.
Ubiquitous computing, however, does not simply mean computers that can be carried to work, to the home, to the beach, and to the movies. Ubiquitous computers must know where they are, and then must be able to merge into the environment.
We put GPS functionality into the Neo1973, because when your phone simply knows its location, it can adapt its behavior in significant ways without even a hint of artificial intelligence.
How can devices disappear into the background? To be honest, we have far more questions than answers here. But do we know what is needed for exploring this idea. Developers must have unrestricted access to hardware at all times. Being able to control the microphone, for example, will allow phones to sense ambient noise. A simple program could prevent your phone from ringing while you’re in a conversation.
We will always try our absolute best to give you devices that are as open as possible. Our goal is freeing end-users and businesses alike from proprietary constraints. We’re about encouraging people to modify
and personalize their software to support their individual needs. Building products as we do, we strive to enable people to connect and communicate in new and relevant ways, using their own languages and
their own symbols.
Our company is unconventional, We openly share our roadmap. And today we’re going to share it with you. (Hopefully, by now, there isn’t a single person left on this list who thinks we’re conventional
Your participation, in terms of actual code, hardware features, suggestions, and usage-scenarios will shape product features of our roadmap.
So here it is, divided into 3 phases, that will repeat annually:
2007-02-11 Phase 0: Developer Preview
We will give away free phones to selected members of the developer community. At this point, the full source code to the OpenMoko Linux Distribution will become publicly available. We are committed to
cooperating with the community in the interest of making the official developer launch a smooth experience.
In the last month we’ve seen a huge increase of interest in OpenMoko. To be perfectly honest, we’re doing this give away as a system of “checks and balances.” We want to get the framework right,
the first time around.
Also, at this time, the following community dedicated websites
will be available:
* http://openmoko.org/ — for the actual development community
* http://wiki.openmoko.org/ — for an official wiki of the project
* http://bugzilla.openmoko.org/ — for bug tracking
* http://lists.openmoko.org/ — for public mailing lists
* http://planet.openmoko.org/ — for an aggregated feed
* http://projects.openmoko.org/ — for user-contributed projects
2007-03-11 Phase 1: Official Developer Launch
We will sell the Neo1973 direct from openmoko.com for US$350 plus shipping. Sales and orders will be worldwide. We are specifically targeting open source community developers.
2007-09-11 Phase 2: Mass Market Sale
Online sales will continue. We will also be available in a retail stores and selected carriers around the world. At this point, we hope your mom and dad will want to buy a Neo1973, too.
The 2nd generation OpenMoko device will also be introduced at this time. We have something special in the works, but again, you will help shape this device.
Next, we would like to reconfirm the hardware components (nothing has changed here) and talk a bit about software. We will have
FIC Neo1973:
* 120.7 x 62 x 18.5 (mm)
* 2.8″ VGA (480×640) TFT Screen
* Samsung s3c2410 SoC @ 266 MHz
* Global Locate AGPS chip
* Ti GPRS (2.5G not EDGE)
* Unpowered USB 1.1
* Touchscreen
* micro-sd slot
* 2.5mm audio jack
* 2 additional buttons
* 1200 mAh battery (charged over USB)
* 128 MB SDRAM
* 64 MB NAND Flash
* Bluetooth (2.0)
The OpenMoko Linux Distribution will be built with OpenEmbedded. The developer devices will be based on the following software:
* Linux 2.6.17.14
* gcc 4.1.1
* binutils 2.17.50.0.5
* glibc 2.4
* Xorg 7.1
* glib 2.6.4
* gtk 2.6.10
* dbus 0.9
* eds
* (more)
The OpenMoko application framework adds C-APIs on top of Gtk+, Dbus, GConf, and EDS. The UI will be implemented with GObject based classes like:
* MokoApplication — base application class
* MokoPanedWindow — base class for stylus main windows
* MokoMenuBox — menu widget holding application and filter menu
* MokoFingerWindow — base class for finger main windows
* MokoFingerWheel — rotary finger wheel
* MokoFingerToolBox — finger tool box
* (more)
A set of core applications using this OpenMoko framework is under development. Of course, you will be able to use a lot of “legacy” X11 applications, as well.
—
We want your involvement in OpenMoko. Now is a great time for us to work together. You’ll have our full support. We’re dedicated to helping you “Free Your Phone.” And we’re always looking, listening, and hungry for new things. It is our goal to be totally market driven.
To be market-driven requires a willingness to experiment. OpenMoko will provide discounted phones to people in “improbable” markets. We’re interested in what people in these markets can do with our products, whether they can use them at all, or what it would have to be like for them to become customers.
We will start out with the assumption that our product may find customers in previously ignored markets; that uses no one imagined when the product was designed will be found; and that Neo1973 will be bought by customers outside our field of vision and even unknown to our sales force.
We need you to talk to us. Tell us what you want. We promise we will listen. Your feedback will help evolve our roadmap.
The real power of an open phone comes not from any one of these devices; it emerges from the interaction of all the users of “freed phones.” We can create true ubiquitous computing in Weiser’s terms.
This will be the computer of the 21st century.
At this point, we should tell you why we chose the name “Neo1973.” “Neo” means new. Dr. Marty Cooper (the inventor of the mobile phone) made the first call ever in 1973.
We believe that an open source mobile phone can revolutionize, once again, the world of communication. This will be the New 1973.
Join us. “Free Your Phone.”
Sincerely,
The OpenMoko Team
