free phones

[Jon 'maddog' Hall]

In the case of the hardware, I do prefer the term "open" to separate
"freedom" from the concept of being "gratis". :-)

The G1 from Google's developer program is actually 474 USD (399. plus
the 75 dollars it costs to "join" their developers program), and only
available in low quantities.  For larger quantities you have to go to
T-Mobile, and there you are, locked again.

On the other hand for a phone that is truly open, with all the hardware
devices specified, runs three operating system environments (including
Debian), and has a basic system in ROM that will allow you to "un-brick"
the phone if you make a mistake in programming you can order an Openmoko
FreeRunner from Koolu for 299 USD FOB Canada (after a gratis sign-up for
Standard Edition of Google Apps).

And once you get the application running, you can order as many
un-locked, open phones as you want.

md