Launch of OSS For Mobile Phones 75
Linux Mobile Phone Guy writes "Members of the open source GPE project (GPE Palmtop Environment) today announced a new offspring project to create a fully open source software stack for mobile phones, GPE Phone Edition.
GPE Phone Edition is a fully open source project based on developments from
the GPE project adding necessary components for mobile phone usage. Based on
standards defined by the LiPS Forum a complete application software stack is built. The current implementation is based on code contributed to the
LiPS Forum by Orange/France Telecom's research and development lab located
in Beijing China in collaboration with GPE project members.
The result is now an open sourced software stack which can handle a GSM
compliant mobile modem for making voice calls, handling the SIM address
book and sending and receiving SMS. Also some additional application
exists e.g. for media playback, instant messaging and email.
They have some screenshots there and even a downloadable VMware image
using which you can try the whole thing in a virtual phone on your PC — if you connect a GSM Modem (like an existing phone) to /dev/GSM-Modem
you should probably even be able to use the full phone functionality
(access SIM card, send/receive SMS, make a call!)."
Re:Which supported phones (Score:3, Informative)
How does this differ from Greenphone? (Score:5, Informative)
Greenphone [trolltech.com] from Trolltech already has a development device available, although it is a bit pricey for common usage ($695 USD). Does anyone have any information about the differences in the project?
Re:How does this differ from Greenphone? (Score:3, Informative)
similar projects (Score:5, Informative)
OpenMoko [openmoko.com]
The GreenPhone [trolltech.com]
The Tunxphone isn't (Score:2, Informative)
Now, why this is all labled under the term "Tuxphone" is beyond me. It's misleading at best. But it's probably still the most open effort around, as there simply is NO completely open solution here. There are lots and lots of companies which claim to offer an Open Source cellphone, but they all lie. When it gets right down to it, there's at least one part which is closed off and locked up. This includes Trolltech's Greenphone.
Note there are better replacement libraries for the Tuxphone, which are more robust, generalized and secure. Here's one: libgsmc.sourceforge.net [sourceforge.net].
Regarding the Carriers, this entire project doesn't appear to deal with the protocol that goes out over the airwaves. That's still locked up. What this DOES deal with is standardizing the interface to the chips which DO handle the actual airwave protocol.
GSM chips offer an interface which is just like a modem. ATDT..., but taken well beyond what Hayes originally intended. Yet it still works. So this effort doesn't seem to be dealing with the airwave protocols at all.
Or, in short, no, you won't be able to hack the cellphone network.
Regarding DRM, that remains to be seen. It's unlikely that any DRM will be put in for GSM. GSM is a well-defined international standard that anyone can use. But for non-GSM networks, forget it. There's not a chance in the world that the Carriers will open up their non-GSM networks. They like it locked down, and strongly so. Otherwise, they can reem you for all the rediculous charges on your cellphone.
Or, in otherwords, it's not your phone. It's theirs.
Re:vmware (Score:3, Informative)
Re:That's nice, but... (Score:3, Informative)
The control issue is only about selling you extras. They want you to have to purchase $2 wallpapers, ringtones, etc. from the carrier.