Plan B at OpenMoko: Remaining Developers Let Go
In a message to the community, OpenMoko CEO Sean Moss-Pultz explained how things with the open source mobile phone are to go from this point on.
As befits most good businessmen, Moss-Pultz congratulated all for their past good work and didn't spare any praise:
"We've always said that the talent and creativity of those outside the company is superior to that inside the company... We've opened up more than any other phone, from any other company, in the history of this industry. Every time we chose openness over internal control, we have been rewarded."
Consequently OpenMoko will now (finally) deed the entire Freerunner hardware specification as far as possible to the community. In fact, all of openmoko.org, including the website, wiki, branding and trademarks, and all remaining designs will be handed over. Moss-Pultz's company will continue to act as sponsor for outside development and "will start another effort on an altogether different type of device."
Even if community members and former OpenMoko-ers have already begun building a mobile phone based on the new specification and free hardware components from OpenMoko, Moss-Pultz's announcement indicates the final bowing out of the company in its own development of the device. Meanwhile "plenty" of Freerunner A7s are still in stock for a good price.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.