• 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.

    Expert Rating :
    Rating
    mail share

Expert Review

  Previous   next



User Interface



Nothing quite underscores the nature of this device as a computer
while booting up, with lines of code scroll across the screen. Unfortunately, it takes a consistent 1 minute 50 seconds or thereabout to start from a cold boot.

Describing the user interface is tricky because the first question that crops up is, which one to describe? Users are spoiled for choice, same as in the open source world of computers, with three official 'distributions' that are like three different operating systems for the phone. Many more may exist in the wild for free download, or the programmers among us can redesign their own. There's the official OpenMoko 2007.2, the 2008 is still in an alpha stage.

Linux users will feel particularly familiar with Qtopia and Debian as the other two major distributions that run on the phone. In the case of Debian, it's the entire operating system like the ones you're used to on desktops.

Below are examples of Debian, qtopia and the default interface.








Example of multiple UI's

Follow Techtree on Twitter

  Previous   next

Do you agree with this Review?
YesNo

Up

1

Related Links
Free Alternatives: Part 1
Free Alternatives: Part 3
Free Alternatives: Part 2
Tag keywords
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
Report abuse
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 ?
Report abuse
Octavian
,Eindhoven, on Jan 05, 2009 09:57 PM
Battery life has been improved. In my case it is beyond 70 hours for standby.
Report abuse
okanlawon olawa
,lagos, on Oct 13, 2008 11:45 PM
nice
Report abuse
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
Report abuse
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.
Report abuse

Opinion Poll