Chances are, you’re swayed by the hype of the iPhone unlike the rest who still stand longing for the device – iPhone’s reliance on AT&T and its unavailability outside US until sometime later this year have left patrons wanting for more.
You may be tired of hearing about the iPhone but do you as a gadget buff really have an alternative – wait, I have an answer in affirmative – OpenMoko has developed a Linux based Neo 1973 a true smartphone. Neo 1973 perhaps lacks the iPhone sparkle but is ‘revolutionary’ likewise.
It is another iPhone competitor (features).
As a phone, iPhone’s well equipped but as a mini computer, it’s just not there, it’s incomplete – Steve Jobs described the Apple pie as one that’s five years ahead of the phones today but OpenMoko has perhaps averted the notion in weeks from iPhone’s restricted public release. After continuous delays, finally OpenMoko’s first version of the NEO 1973 mobile phone is up for sale – a product that visions to do away with the downsides of the iPhone.
Doing away with the retro image of the manufacturers, Neo 1973 is expected by many to be the first low-cost yet high volume phone that comes with a user modifiable Linux based operating system and all network compatibility, priced at $300, it has a 2.8″ VGA touch screen, a micro SD card slot, a USB port and 2.5G GSM quad band capability and is available at OpenMoko.com.
Neo 1973 first unit (the GTA01) is a developer’s device, the second or the consumer version (the GTA02) will include Wi-Fi, 3-D motion sensors and added graphics accelerators and is scheduled for an October release with a slated price tag of $450.
Consumer and manufacturers take.
Competition is a good take in the technology market, consumers drive the market but how much will Neo oblige them and what will be their pick, is a question of credibility – will looks determine or functions, will name triumph or cost?
Apple’s ought to be curious but is it intimidated too, may be a back stage situation – but its look towards the iPod-nano inspired version (that’s a low cost consumer oriented device) could be a sign of apprehension.
[Source: Wired]