Neo FreeRunner Starts Shipping For Only $399

Neo FreeRunner, the open source smartphone developed by OpenMoko, will be commercially available for $399 (around 250 Euros) per unit, probably less than most of the users who are expecting it would have believed.

Following the successful Neo 1973 (well, a moderate success, because there weren't too many Neo 1973 handsets available), the new Neo FreeRunner comes with a similar design but it brings several improved features. Running on a Linux-based interface, FreeRunner offers a wide touchscreen display with a VGA resolution, a 400 MHz processor, 128MB of RAM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, USB, 2D/3D graphics, three-axis accelerometers, 264MB of internal memory and microSD card support.

A pretty good device, but probably not one that normal consumers would want, as it has no 3G connectivity and no photo camera, just to mention few of its downsides. Well, Neo FreeRunner isn't targeted at normal consumers anyway, but, like the first Neo handset, more at developers and gadget geeks who can really make use of an open-source smartphone. Neo FreeRunner is totally customizable, and this is something that few other handsets can offer. Until now at least, because Google's Android might power, in the near future, some devices that will resemble the FreeRunner from this point of view.

FreeRunner's developers are currently testing the first units planned to be shipped and, until the end of April, the new Neo should be available via the OpenMoko website (found at this address), sold unlocked. Initially, a debug board was included in the handset's package, but this idea was dropped, as the producers thought it's better to offer the board only optionally, for an extra of $99.

Another thing to mention is that universities, small businesses or other simple groups that want to acquire at least 10 FreeRunners will benefit from a discount that lowers the price per unit at $369 (230 Euros).