"Openmoko, developer of the first open mobile computing platform today announced that on Friday, July 4, it will open the online store for purchase of the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner, a mobile device that the company says will help to enable ubiquitous computing for the 21st century. Shipping to customers will commence on July 7, 2008.The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner utilizes GNU/Linux and comes with core software for dialing, SMS and recording contacts. Openmoko will supplement these features with periodic downloads beginning with a software suite that takes full advantage of the phone's hardware platform. The new software, debuting at Linux world in August, will provide exciting new location based applications.Two versions of the phone will be available: 850MHz or 900 MHz Tri-band GSM to match frequencies in different countries. Black, oval-shaped and weighing 6.5 ounces, the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner features a 2.8" 480 x 640 VGA touchscreen, Wi-Fi (802.1 1b/g), AGPS, GPRS 2.5G, Bluetooth 2.0, two 3-axis motion sensors and comes with 128MB WSDRAM and 256MB NAND Flash." Read more inside..
"ACCESS today announced the launch of a beta version of its NetFront Browser Widgets community site, where users can download and try free widgets for mobile devices. Widgets provided on this site can be used after users download and install a free beta version of NetFront Browser Widgets Player, which initially is compatible with Windows Mobile versions 5.0 and 6.0 Professional edition.Widgets are mini applications displayed in small GUI windows on the screen of a handset or consumer electronic device.They can be accessed without having to open the handset’s browser, automatically acquiring and displaying the latest information from the Web. The NetFront Browser Widgets community site provides a variety of widget applications such as maps, weather forecasts and games.“ACCESS will begin providing tools for developers to create their own widgets in the near future,” said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. “By providing a platform for interchange among users and developers, ACCESS will facilitate the development of innovative content based on NetFront Browser Widgets, as well as contribute to the ubiquity of widget culture.”The NetFront Browser Widgets community site is available in English and Japanese at the following URL: http://www.access.co.jp/nfbwc/. A widget player for smartphones using Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition and Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition is planned for the future." via slashphone.com
"Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) joins Forces with LiMo Foundation to support and to unify the growing momentum of Linux platforms in the global mobile market, the Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum announced that its activities and membership will be folded into LiMo Foundation as of July, 2008. The move will encompass LiPS Forum members from across the mobile ecosystem, including chipset suppliers, Linux OS and mobile stack vendors, handset designers and OEMs, and regional and global wireless operators. It follows announcements by other LiPS members who have joined the LiMo Foundation: ACCESS, ARM Limited, Azingo, France Telecom / Orange, Huawei Technology, MontaVista Software, Inc., NXP Semiconductors, Open-Plug, Purple Labs and Texas Instruments. The LiMo Foundation is competing with Google's Android offering. I could even imagine that at some point Android and LiMo Foundation might join forces to compete effectively against Microsoft, Apple, and Nokia's Symbian. " via i4u.com
"Nokia and Maemo have formally announced the official release of the next iteration of their Internet Tablet operating system. Codenamed Diablo, the OS2008 Feature Pack update includes several internal enhancements to performance, wireless capabilities, and stability. The launch of this update likely signals the impending release of the latest Nokia Internet Tablet, the N810 WiMax Edition, as many of the updates in the operating system pave the way for this upcoming device to be utilized fully. Some of the major features of this update include:
SSU (seamless software updating) which enables components of the operating system to be updated without having to flash/rewrite the entire operating system.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates via Wi-Fi and WiMax connections
Update of the email client to Modest with several enhancements to the user interface and additional support of several mobile-friendly email features.
Addition of Chinese fonts to the system font list
Miscellaneous bug fixes to OpenSSL
Browser panning fixes
A-GPS support for the N810 and N810WE
Updates to the Wayfinder GPS application
and more
Because this is not a major update, most applications will continue to work from the previous version (OS2008) without a problem.This OS2008 Feature update is compatible with the Nokia N800 and N810 Internet Tablets. Previous versions of the Internet Tablet platform -- specifically the Nokia 770 -- are not supported. Users can download the update via the following links:
"After clearing the FCC in May, Motorola has now officially unveiled the new MING A1600 and A1800 along with the Motozine ZN5. These two touchscreen entrants retain the same form factor as the original MING, the A1200, but are somewhat updated to match at least some of the features that are becoming ubiquitous in today’s market. While both the A1600 and A1800 support tri-band GSM networks with EDGE speeds, run on Linux, have a 3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth with A2DP, GPS, and a microSD slot, the A1800 has two radio transmitters enabling it to connect to two different networks simultaneously with support CDMA networks too apparently. Sadly missing is WiFi and 3G, which could have added a bit more pull to these two devices, but since emerging markets seem to be Motorola’s target this time, we will just ignore that important fact.As I said before, the A1600 and A1800 will most probably head to China before making rounds in other developing markets at a price that is not revealed yet." via mobilewhack.com
"Motorola know this and that’s why most of the research work was aimed to enhance the ZN5’s speed and make its shots more eye-candy. We’ll get back to this later in the review; and for now let us show you some figures on how the PIXL compares to the competition (taken from the maker’s research). These are the features the manufacturer is banking on and will tout them throughout the phone’s marketing campaign." Read more here:
"Users of traditional Palm OS handhelds have had a hard go of things the past few years. Not only have Handspring and Sony folded up shop, Palm itself has switched its entire focus to making smartphones. For a long time it seemed that handheld users were destined to stick it out with their Palm TX or Zire; something that works, but is definitely behind the curve of technology trends.Some users wouldn't stand for such things and moved on to different devices, either Palm OS smartphones or handhelds running another operating system. But then Access came along and released a Palm OS Garnet emulator for Nokia's Internet Tablet devices. Now, those who don't want a smartphone have a device they can run their Palm OS software on." Read more here:
"Shenzhen, China-based smartphone design company Tranzda Technologies is marketing five phone designs that use its NewPlus Linux phone application stack. All five Tranzda designs include GPS, along with optional features that include WiFi, cameras, and biometric fingerprint authentication. Tranzda's phone models include:
TGP-369 -- Based on an ARM9-based Samsung S3C2440 clocked at 300-400MHz, with 64MB SDRAM and 64MB flash memory. The phone supports CDMA 2000 1X (450/800/1900MHz) transmission, as well as SMS, Color E SMS, and Cai E formats, says Tranzda. The phone has a 2.8-inch, 240 x 320 QVGA TFT LCD touchscreen, as well as a MiniSD Card slot and a USB port. Major features include WiFi, GPS, and a 1.3Mpixel camera. Multimedia support includes WMA, MP3, MIDI, AMR, AAC, and MMF audio playback, and MPEG-1, MPEG-4, DIVX, XVID, and H.23 video. The phone weighs 5.3 ounces (150 grams) and is powered by a 3.7 Volt rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. " Read more here:
"Access has released an update to its Palm OS Garnet VM for Nokia Internet Tablets. New features in the Garnet VM Beta 2 (v1.01b) include full screen support, three hot-swappable display modes (portrait full screen, portrait windowed and portrait landscape), improved performance and various compatibility and app specific updates. Notable new apps that are now listed as compatible include: Google Maps, Snappermail, Pocket Tunes, Kinoma Player 4 EX and CorePlayer. The Garnet VM is a "virtual machine" essentially acts as an emulator allowing you to run Palm OS applications on a Nokia N770, N800 and N810 Internet Tablet. it supports over 30,000 native software applications written for the Palm OS, including some of the most popular mobile applications on the market, such as Google Maps, Snappermail, DateBk5 and perennially favorite games like Bejeweled, PacMan and Sudoku. The Garnet VM runs compatible Palm OS applications with a 320 x 480 screen resolution. There are settings to change the default storage size, display configuration and storage heap. Basic version of the Address Book, Calculator, Date Book and Memo Pad are included. Users are able to install any Palm OS application and can configure compatibilty per app (memory, display and device model). The Garnet VM for Nokia Internet Tablets also includes Graffiti 1 character recognition, TCP/IP Networking support, the ability to Network Hotsync and language support for English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. You can check out our earlier article with pictures and video demo of the first version of the Garnet VM released in Nov '07. The Nokia N770, N800 and N810 Internet Tablets are part of the Nokia Nseries range of high performance multimedia computers. The tablets run a customized version of Debian Linux and include built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connections and a large high resolution displays at 800 x 480 pixels." via palminfocenter.com
"According to the Finnish business newspaper Kauppalehti, Nokia's Chief Financial Officer said Nokia is considering manufacturing Linux-based mobile phones. The article quotes Rick Simonson, Nokia's Chief Financial Officer, as saying "we are definitely moving in the direction (of Linux-based phones)" at a seminar in Boston run by JP Morgan Chase. There was no further detail though, and apparently Simonson refused to be drawn on which kind of Linux would be used. Nokia already makes the Linux-based N800 and N810 internet tablets, which use Nokia's own version of Linux called Maemo, but current tablets have no telephony ability." via allaboutsymbian.com
The Nokia N810 Internet Tablet - WiMAX Edition, which we saw recently on the Whack, has just been approved by the FCC - so all you guys waiting for the device can finally look forward to finding it in the stores. Plenty of utilities have been carried over from the previous editions, including the Media Player which supports AAC, AMR, M4A, MP2, MP3, RA, WAV and WMA formats. The Nokia N810 also supports a variety of video formats including MP4, MPEG1, RealVideo and WMV9. For those of you who can’t get enough of their blog digests for the day, this one features a built-in Feed Reader - great for sitting on the pot and reading. Priced at US $455 and thereabouts, those who pre-ordered it should be getting it soon." via mobilewhack.com
Ubuntu Linux 7.04 is now available for Sharp's Zaurus PDAs. The 0.1 release comes with a minimalist filesystem that can be launched in an emulator, enhanced with software from the vast Ubuntu archives, and then flashed onto a real Zaurus. The Zaurus Ubuntu project was created by "Omegamoon," a hacker who has previously worked on ports of Fedora Linux and Google's Android phone stack to the Sharp Zaurus. He suggests first trying the distro out in the free QEMU emulator, where configuration and tweaking is easier than on real hardware. Once customizations have been completed, it can be installed on Zaurus PDAs such as the SL-C3100, he says. The project was inspired by Nokia's Handheld Mojo project, which is porting Ubuntu to the ARM architecture. In a presentation delivered at CELF's recent Embedded Linux Conference, Mojo project leader Andrew Christian noted that while Nokia's Maemo project has packaged 500-600 Linux binaries, Ubuntu packages upwards of 12,000. Therefore, porting Ubuntu to ARM and thence to the Zaurus should make for greater software versatility. In creating his root filesystem for the Sharp Zaurus, Omegamoon drew pre-built binaries from the ARMv5EL (ARM9) branch of Mojo Project's Frisky Firedrake tree. Built by natively compiling source packages from Ubuntu's Feisty Fawn (7.04) distribution, Mojo's Frisky tree also offers an ARMv6EL-VFP or ARM11 branch. Additionally, Mojo has produced a "Grumpy Griffin" build based on Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon (7.10), with a Hasty Hippogriff build derived from Hardy Heron planned but not yet underway. More about Nokia's Mojo project can be found in our previous coverage, here. For the kernel, Omegamoon appears to have tapped Debian for a pre-built "versatile" ARM kernel image based on 2.6.24. For a bootloader, he cleverly re-purposed installation files and procedures originally devised for running Google's Linux- and Java-based Android phone stack on the Zaurus. The initial 0.1 Ubuntu Zaurus distribution aims to be fairly minimalist, letting the user choose what software to install. Weighing it about 80MB (compressed), the root filesystem download comes with the X Window System, but lets the user choose which window manager to install (IceWM or Enlightenment E17 are recommended). Omegamoon suggests running the distro under QEMU initially, using a bootp server to set up networking, rather than configuring a network bridge device. Then, the user can use apt-get install foo to fold in their window manager of choice, and additional software from the vast Handhelds Mojo pool. The modified filesystem can then be packaged up for use on actual Zaurus hardware, using instructions provided.Omegamoon emphasizes the early 0.1 nature of the distribution. Early users should expect to encounter interesting puzzles and challenges. He comments, "There's a lot left to tweak of course, but a full-blown Ubuntu is on it's way."He adds, "This is really cool, having the same OS running on my desktop and on the much smaller Zaurus. This proves that the Zaurus is the ultimate mini-laptop."In an earlier project, Omegamoon created a "werewolf" Zaurus root filesystem image, also using a Debian "versatile" kernel. Directions for installing Ubuntu, Fedora, or Android on the Zaurus can be found on his blog, here. The initial 0.1 downloads are generously hosted by the UK-based Zaurus.org project. " via linuxdevices.com
Here are some better leaked photo shots on the unannounced Motorola ZN5, a camera phone with 5 megapixel resolution. The ZN5 is running on linux, has a Xenon flash module and support auto focusing.The ZN5 will be a slim candy bar phone, although the part that store the Kodak camera module will be thicker. Check out more photos at next page or read the previous rumor report here
"The Nokia N810 WiMax Edition was announced at the CTIA Wireless Convention earlier this month, but no price was given at that time. All that was stated by Nokia was that the cost would be similar to the N810's when it was released.However, an online retailer has revealed the price of this upcoming Internet Tablet. According to an entry at Buy.com, the N810 WiMax Edition shows the list price as being $480, with a Buy.com exclusive price of $456. Despite the entry, the item is noted as being temporarily out of stock.View the Buy.com N810 WiMax Edition page to place a pre-order. As its name suggests, this upcoming device is nearly identical to the older N810, featuring a 4.1 inch, WVGA screen; keyboard; 2 GB of internal storage; Wi-Fi; GPS; and miniSDHC slot for memory expansion.In a press event at CTIA, Nokia has emphasized that the N810 WiMAX Edition will specifically support Sprint's XOHM WiMAX service, and will be available in stores in areas where that service is available, or through Nokia's direct sales. " via brighthand.com
"Linux, which has been much maligned by Symbian and Microsoft as a non-starter in the handset operating system market, is set to see strong growth as issues with framework fragmentation and silicon requirements are alleviated. The growing momentum behind the LiMo Foundation initiative, as well as the marketing boost that has been realized from the entry of Google’s Android solution has been further enhanced by Nokia’s support of the Maemo solution and its purchase of Trolltech. ABI Research believes that by 2013, nearly one out of every five mid- or high-end mobile devices will use a Linux operating system. ABI Research vice president Stuart Carlaw notes that, “Clever choice of public license support, along with software engineering that isolates proprietary items from open source items, allows operating system vendors to generate revenue from a very cost-effective OS solution.” He goes on to add that, “Linux OS solutions will be far more cost-effective than incumbent solutions, even when silicon requirements are taken into account, given that a fuller application layer will be included in the standard package and that the burden of customization falls mostly on the independent software vendor.” A new ABI Research study has found that Linux solutions will be at the center of the drive to bring more content-rich environments to users who currently utilize mid-tier devices. More importantly, it looks increasingly likely that mobile Linux solutions will be an important building block in enabling an application domain that embraces Web-based applications and blended Web/native applications. " via businesswire.com
"Below are pictures, and brief technical specifications of some new Motorola handsets – some you may already know about, and some you may not. Nothing shown below is amazing, in terms of technical specifications, but, at least, for now, Motorola isn't re-using the once-popular Razr-line of handsets. Motorola A810
2.2-inch touchscreen, with full handwriting recognition
"Where the GP2X F-200 trumps the DS is in the stylus design. The stylus that comes included with the GP2X is metal, telescopic, and has a nice, sharp plastic pen point at the tip, which makes precise navigation around the touch screen a breeze. While the DS stylus may have been designed with a broader audience in mind, with the ability to be replaced cheaply and easily, this "more adult" stylus is a very nice touch. When first powering up the GP2X, I found that the LCD screen to be clean and bright, with a very nice picture quality overall. As someone who has never used a Linux OS, I found the UI quite user friendly and was easily zipping through the various functions and files in no time at all." Read more here:
"The first software update for the mylo 2 (COM-2) personal communicator recently became available for download from the Sony eSupport website. In addition to the general "system stability" improvements, version 1.100 builds on the previous 1.000 by adding support for WMV files, squeezing a Game item into the home menu for quick access to Flash games stored on the unit, and making the system compatible with a new SHOUTcast widget.Though not confirmed by Sony as part of version 1.100's enhancements, MyloForums also notes the following improvements: * Faster launch/load of camera * Improved memory management * Smoother YouTube playback * Ability to view YouTube videos in full-screen mode" via pocketables.net
"Ushering in the next generation of wireless broadband devices, Nokia today unveiled its newest Nseries device, the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet - WiMAX Edition, Nokia's first device engineered to take advantage of new wide-area high-speed mobile WiMAX networks. This pocket-sized device lets consumers enjoy an open Internet experience, allowing for access to the full Internet without barriers, while on the go. The Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is the latest iteration of Nokia's popular line of Internet Tablet products. For the first time, the power and convenience of the Internet Tablet platform is combined with next generation wide-area wireless broadband capability, allowing users to easily and quickly access all of their favorite Internet services beyond local area hot spots. The Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is expected to be available in the United States during the summer of 2008 in areas where WiMAX connectivity is available." Read more inside..
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"ACCESS today announced the launch of a beta version of its NetFront Browser Widgets community site, where users can download and try free widgets for mobile devices. Widgets provided on this site can be used after users download and install a free beta version of NetFront Browser Widgets Player, which initially is compatible with Windows Mobile versions 5.0 and 6.0 Professional edition.Widgets are mini applications displayed in small GUI windows on the screen of a handset or consumer electronic device.They can be accessed without having to open the handset’s browser, automatically acquiring and displaying the latest information from the Web. The NetFront Browser Widgets community site provides a variety of widget applications such as maps, weather forecasts and games.“ACCESS will begin providing tools for developers to create their own widgets in the near future,” said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. “By providing a platform for interchange among users and developers, ACCESS will facilitate the development of innovative content based on NetFront Browser Widgets, as well as contribute to the ubiquity of widget culture.”The NetFront Browser Widgets community site is available in English and Japanese at the following URL: http://www.access.co.jp/nfbwc/. A widget player for smartphones using Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition and Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition is planned for the future." via slashphone.com
"After clearing the FCC in May, Motorola has now officially unveiled the new MING A1600 and A1800 along with the Motozine ZN5. These two touchscreen entrants retain the same form factor as the original MING, the A1200, but are somewhat updated to match at least some of the features that are becoming ubiquitous in today’s market. While both the A1600 and A1800 support tri-band GSM networks with EDGE speeds, run on Linux, have a 3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth with A2DP, GPS, and a microSD slot, the A1800 has two radio transmitters enabling it to connect to two different networks simultaneously with support CDMA networks too apparently. Sadly missing is WiFi and 3G, which could have added a bit more pull to these two devices, but since emerging markets seem to be Motorola’s target this time, we will just ignore that important fact.As I said before, the A1600 and A1800 will most probably head to China before making rounds in other developing markets at a price that is not revealed yet." 
Ubuntu Linux 7.04 is now available for Sharp's Zaurus PDAs. The 0.1 release comes with a minimalist filesystem that can be launched in an emulator, enhanced with software from the vast Ubuntu archives, and then flashed onto a real Zaurus. The Zaurus Ubuntu project was created by "Omegamoon," a hacker who has previously worked on ports of Fedora Linux and Google's Android phone stack to the Sharp Zaurus. He suggests first trying the distro out in the free 
