• Freerunner

    Freerunner

    Aniket Kadam, Sep 12, 2008 1355 hrs IST

    Portable linux computers hit the mainstream with the Neo Freerunner

    Easy to program, Lots of free software, Excellent maps application, Debian support.

    Short battery life, Expensive, No EDGE, No camera.

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The OpenMoko Neo Freerunner is a unique device with a handheld touchscreen Linux computer, which also acts as a phone, a GPS device and more. A developer's ideal platform, its hardware and software are all open to review and users are encouraged to use them as they are or change them as they feel fit.

With a completely open stack, it is easier to create programs for this phone than most others. However, just how useful is this trait and how does it matter to the common user, who doesn't know an ARM6 from a Pentium? Let's explore these questions in a little more depth.
Bundle



Neo Freerunner

Power cable

USB cable

Headphones

MicroSD to SD card adaptor

512 MB Micro SD card

Stylus

The stylus here is pretty unusual. Unlike the standard ones you see with touchscreen handsets, it's very large and apart from just being a stylus, it's also got a laser, flashlight, a pen and a highlighter packed into it. It would've been better if there was just a normal stylus, as all this makes it appear more like a toy.

The size of the MicroSD is very limiting and you will almost certainly need to replace it as you will see.

Specifications

Size and Weight

-120.7 x 62 x 18.5 mm

-133 grams

-Display

-Touch Screen

-2.8" VGA (480x640) VGA Screen

Speed

-ARM9 @ 400 MHz

-2D/3D Graphics Acceleration

-GSM

-Tri band 850/1800/1900 MHz

-Tri band 900/1800/1900 MHz

Power

-Removable 1200 mAh battery

Memory

-128MB SDRAM

-256MB NAND Flash

-microSD Slot

-Input and Output

-Input and Output

-2.5 mm audio jack

-GPS external connector

Hardware Highlights

-Wi-Fi (802.1 1b/g)

-AGPS

-GPRS (2.5G not EDGE)

-Bluetooth 2.0

-3axis Motion Sensors (2)

-Software Highlights

-Openmoko GNU/Linux-based

-100% FOSS on CPU

-GNU/Linux development tools

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Freerunner review free software Debian support.



Discussion Board
(6) Comments
Rakshat
,Jaipur, on Sep 21, 2008 02:28 PM
Thanks for the balanced review. The battery life issue is something that is being worked on and is expected to improve with newer software releases. As far as the price goes it includes all taxes and shipping to an Indian address.e There is also a rs 2000 discount for individual developers and students. That price is just below our cost price after taking into account freight to India, customs duty, VAT/CST and shipping In India
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julian correa
,belgaum KARNATAKA, on Nov 30, 2011 09:04 PM
thanks a lot .. im only worried abt the value for money ... is it worth it for the bundle ?
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Octavian
,Eindhoven, on Jan 05, 2009 09:57 PM
Battery life has been improved. In my case it is beyond 70 hours for standby.
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okanlawon olawa
,lagos, on Oct 13, 2008 11:45 PM
nice
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Ani
,Bangalore, on Sep 12, 2008 06:11 PM
hmmmm....22000 is too much....was waiting for this...open source linux interface had got me excited....but no camera either....was expecting it to be cheaper since its open source and was wishing they changed the design from the 1973 model...ideally around 10000
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Arvind
,Atlanta, on Sep 13, 2008 07:50 PM
I understand your point.....but guess what....you could probably run android on this one.....Android phone is to be released this month end in US......it could be fun,......as Android is being launched in US only....through HTC Dream only on T Mobile network 23rd Sept.
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