OpenMoko Unveils Neo FreeRunner

( 1 May 2008 )

OpenMoko has unveiled the Neo FreeRunner, based on the same free and open source principles as the Neo 1973, which is tailored for mass market consumers. Maintaining the overall look and feel of the Neo 1973, the Neo FreeRunner features hardware improvements such as 2D/3D graphics and a faster 500MHz processor.

Available in two versions—an 850MHz triband and a 900Mhz tri-band—FreeRunner will also integrate Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g) for online access anywhere. According to Steven Mosher, VP Marketing, Openmoko, FreeRunner is a significantly improved device from the Neo 1973, which sold out within three days of its introduction in July last year, and have given open source developers and hackers a hardware and software platform to build a completely new mobile device for both vertical markets and consumers.

"We added Wi-Fi, motion sensors, faster processing, and improved graphics, creating a compelling mass market device for open source development. The open source community was key in achieving that goal. Without them this remix of the Neo would not have been possible," said Mosher.

To foster FreeRunner development for mainstream Java applications and Java developers, OpenMoko partnered with Jalimo, the open source project driven by the German software development company Tarent GmbH.