The Openmoko Neo Freerunner phone was released only a few weeks ago, and already, a customized version called the W.E. Phone is now available for purchase. So what's the difference between the naked-as-a-baby Neo and the Canadian-based W.E.? The latter comes with a full bundle of custom Google applications, on top of the core GNU/Linux OS base with dialing, SMS and contacts.
Oh yeah, it also comes in an ugly batch of colors, including a tartan-weave plaid case that spells out 'Debian' in Morse Code.
For those of you not aware of the profoundly geeky implications of this design, all you need to know is that the Debian Project is another free and open source OS project and that attendees of the Debian Linux conference in Scotland last year actually wore kilts made out of this pattern. Now that’s truly g33ky.
Koolu's W.E. phone will come with Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs,
Google Talk's IM client, and start up on the Google search page.
This will be on top of the tri-band GSM Wi-Fi enabled capabilities that come with the Neo, plus 256 MB NAND flash and 400 MHz speed.
But don't get any ideas about this being a true Google phone -- the company is still working on an Android OS version of it to be released later this year.
The Neo FreeRunner phone is the first open-source, GNU/Linux platform-based gadget that allows users to install and run their favorite software applications. Because the CAD files are publicly available, any developer can also change the physical structure of the phone, like Koolu did with this one. So this probably will be first of many ugly Neos to come.
Still, despite the Linux Debian kilt shout-out, there are no plans for a Debian-based version of the phone.
Source: linuxdevices.com
