Launch of OSS For Mobile Phones

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!)."

DRM

[Anonymous Coward]

So where is the DRM in this? All mobile phone stacks are rushing down the "Trusted Computing" (or ARM's TrustZone) route with locked down software and DRM built on top of that. So where in this stack is the rights management stuff (or the placeholder for it)... since all of this software will be digitally signed and locked so it cannot be modified or changed by users.

It uses GStreamer, and since Fluendo (a company that touts itself as a Free software company) is committed to bringing the wonderful ness of DRM and "trusted" packages to Gstreamer, GNOME and Linux in general. I assume it will be based on Sun's DReaM and Gstreamer DRM.

Re:Nothing new.

[Aladrin]

I think you totally missed the point here. While the ability to use the virtual phone while it's hooked a real phone is neat, but real benefit comes from being able to create and test phone applications with real connectivity, and without taking a chance on destroying a real phone.

I must say, though, the idea of hooking asterisk to a real cellphone for calls like this is intriguing already.

Also, for those looking for a mirror, These finally loaded:

http://gpe.linuxtogo.org.nyud.net:8080/ [nyud.net]

http://gpephone.linuxtogo.org.nyud.net:8080/ [nyud.net]

Re:That's nice, but...

[Anonymous Coward]

Most of these 'stacks' are application stacks with the actual protocol/modem part that controls the RF hardware locked away in a chip elsewhere. So in terms of breaking the network, the risk is very low, I'd liken it to the damage that someone could do with a PC connected to the Internet via dialup to a premium rate number. Also remember here that the network operator can disconnect you if they want (think of how pre-pay SIMs are managed, or the black lists for stolen phones that identify device IMEIs). A spam zombie PC connected to the Internet via flat rate broadband is probably much more harmful prospect, yet fixed line ISPs manage with this fine.

Therefore I think the problem is that the networks don't want competing services. The faster they get over this and realise that they are stifling innovation and usage of their connections the better.