World Wide availability of Google Android Source Code for Freerunner
São Paulo, Brazil
- December 2nd, 2008 – Koolu is proud to announce availability of
Google's Android Platform source code for the Openmoko phone "FreeRunner".
While Android was released
as open source software in late October, a certain amount of work had
to be done to get the code to work on other manufacturer's phones. The
FreeRunner, an open design of phone from Taiwan-based OpenMoko, needed
certain changes to the Android code to have it work properly. The free
software community, with the help of people all over the world, was
able to change the source code to have it run on the FreeRunner.
We want to thank the
Open Handset Alliance, the Openmoko community, the Android community
and especially Sean McNeil in their work to bring the code this far.
Koolu is providing
the patches necessary to take Google's Android Platform source code
to run on the Openmoko FreeRunner phone, the steps to create a tool
chain to build that code, and the instructions on how to build the binary
images so more people who have FreeRunners (or want to purchase FreeRunners)
can help with finishing the port.
Also announced at IPCOMM
was the agreement for iSolve, a Brazilian tele-communications integration
firm located in Curitiba, to be the master distributor of the Openmoko
FreeRunner in Brazil.
iSolve has been a leader
in the free and open source (FOSS) community in Brazil with regards
to telecommunications. Denis Galvão started AsteriskBrazil.org, the
portal for the well-known open source Asterisk PBX software, and Koolu
feels that iSolve's expertise and channels in FOSS will help make the
FreeRunner a premier phone for business customers. iSolve will
be actively engaging other companies to be VARs, resellers and retailers
of the FreeRunner in Brazil, as well as carriers that wish to carry
an open phone.
The code will be located
in a git repository at git.koolu.org and the instructions and other
information will be located in a forum at forum.koolu.org
Sincerely,
The Koolu Team
Openmoko Signs Koolu to Distribute FreeRunner Open Source Mobile Phone
Jul 21, 2008 7:01 AM CDT
Koolu Uniquely Positioned to Reach Significant Markets With Programmable Mobile Phone
TAIPEI, Taiwan-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Openmoko, creator of the first completely open mobile computing platform, today announced an agreement with Koolu Inc., a Canadian-based company, to distribute the FreeRunner Open Source mobile phone in all of the Americas, the United Kingdom and the European Union with plans to expand globally through local partners.
"We have moved beyond the early adopter stage and are now ready to release the next generation Neo FreeRunner to markets where we are seeing early traction," said Steve Mosher, Openmoko vice president of marketing. "Key distributors, like Koolu, have relationships that reach deeply into markets that can leverage the features of this remarkable mobile device and advance it even further through software and exterior customization."
Koolu, known for its innovations in easy-to-use services such as Google
Apps and Skype, will distribute the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner phone first
to developers, and later to consumers as Google Apps go mobile. Koolu
has created a program unique in the industry by offering free Neo
FreeRunner phones in a referral program (see www.koolu.com) for Google
Apps world-wide.
"Koolu will surround the phone with services and applications to lower
the entry point to Internet and telephony access," said Jim Despathy,
President of Koolu. "The phone will reach new markets that are
presently not being addressed by traditional phones and phone companies
but at the same time bring these phone companies clients they
previously could not reach."
"I am very happy that Koolu chose to distribute the NEO FreeRunner,"
said Jon "maddog" Hall, CTO of Koolu. "As a supporter of Free and Open
Culture, I know how important it is for companies to be able to change
the software to meet their needs, and not be at the mercy of some large
company who is keeping the code proprietary. Openmoko has created a
platform that our customers will be able to use 'as is', or change to
meet their specific needs. At the same time, Koolu will be there to
provide support and services for our partners."
Pricing and availability
The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner has a suggested retail price of $399. Openmoko will sell the phone directly from it its webshop www.Openmoko.com and via distributors in the Americas, such as Koolu (www.shop.koolu.com),
as well as Europe and India. The company will announce availability in
other regions of the world at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco, August
5-7, 2008 where Openmoko can be seen in the Linux Garage Pavilion booth
1234 and at booth 1625 in the Moscone Center North Hall.
About Openmoko
Openmoko is the commercial and community driven effort with a mission
to create open mobile products that empower developers and consumers to
personalize their devices, much like a computer, in any way they see
fit. Openmoko is dedicated to helping innovators bring freedom and
flexibility to consumer electronics and vertical market devices.
For the latest information about Openmoko, visit www.Openmoko.com.
About Koolu
Koolu is a privately held Canadian Company serving a global market with
customers in over 27 countries. Koolu's passion is in easy-to-use,
low-cost and ecologically friendly green computing and communications
products. Collaborating with best-of-breed companies, Koolu provides
Linux-based solutions using Free and Open Source software and other
solutions such as Google Apps.
Openmoko
Steven Mosher, +1-408-313-9284
Vice President Marketing
Pat Meier Associates Public Relations
Pat Meier-Johnson, 415-389-1700 (Public Relations)
mobile: +1-415-717-9677
