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OpenMoko FreeRunner to be available for $399 – Open-source Linux handset set to launch

Categories: Announcements, Devices, Linux
By: , IntoMobile
Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 1:16 PM

OpenMoko FreeRunner to go on sale for $399Fans of the OpenMoko Neo1973 open-source Linux handset will be glad to hear that they’ll soon be able to get their hands on the Neo1973′s successor in the near future. The OpenMoko FreeRunner sports a faster processor than its predecessor and adds three-axis motion sensors to the mix. As we saw previously, the overall aesthetic of the FreeRunner is largely unchanged from the Neo1973, and the glorious VGA touchscreen, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, and microSD card slot also make the cut.

The FreeRunner should alleviate the open-source Linux handset-drought caused by dried-up  OpenMoko Neo1973 supplies. OpenMoko is considering its production options and will hopefully start shipping the $399 FreeRunner by month’s end. There will only be one version of the FreeRunner for sale – a departure from the Neo1973′s availability in basic and advanced trim options.

If you’re in the market for 10 or more FreeRunners, OpenMoko will even hook you up with a per-unit price of $369.

OpenMoko

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

  • James

    Finally! I’m definitely going to be picking one of these beasties up. I’ve had it up to HERE with Apple’s restrictions on what I can do with my iPhone.

  • Jim

    Is this one ready for prime time? I wanted to buy a NEO1973 but the warnings on the website dissuaded me. I run Linux on everything I can, but I simply can’t afford to buy a $400 thing that may be usable as a phone someday.