Mobile phone vendor Openmoko announced that they are publishing the schematics for the Neo 1973 and Neo FreeRunner mobile phones.
The company, which has a reputation for openness within the highly closed and proprietary mobile phone industry, already provides an open software stack for building custom applications. Openmoko also recently released CAD files for the phones under a Creative Commons license, letting designers modify the look and feel. The release of the schematics completes the drive to openness by adding the opportunity for engineers to modify the electronics.
According to Openmoko architect Werner Almesberger, "One of the freedoms we value the most is the freedom to explore. To fully understand the details of complex systems, to adapt and enhance them."
CEO Sean Moss-Pultz adds, "Why should industry be afraid of opening up its design? Schematics are simply another form of documentation and vital to future success, service, and satisfaction in the market. We believe our products would be incomplete without them."
The schematics will be available at the openmoko.com and openmoko.org websites under a Creative Commons license.
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