iPhone vs. My Phone
Well, not surprisingly, the iPhone backlash has begun. The main slags? Third party developers seem to be shut out from application (though perhaps not widget) development for the one button phone/ipod/web browser. Plus, no 3G access and an unsavory, in some camps, dependency on Cingular. Plus, the lack of real keys for text messaging and a lack of iTunes as ringtones, all are casting the Apple invention as a handcuffed, restrictive and restricting device.
Meanwhile, the Neo1973 is attracting adoration from the open source camp. Neo1973? It's a cellphone developed by Sean Moss-Pultz and manufactured in Taiwan. It uses Linux as its OS, takes standard memory cards, has a bright touchscreen, operates on the GSM network (and standard, global SIM cards), has GPS and is open to any software coders want to toss at it (they can use the OpenMoko open source framework for developing mobile device applications). In short, it's everything the iPhone is not. Plus it's $150 US cheaper and will be available about five months before the iPhone (though a shipping delay has taken place). You can compare the two products here.
Which would I buy? I'm taking a wait and see approach on both. Obviously, the iPhone is six months away, but it's unlikely I'll buy Generation One (if, in fact, it's available in Canada). And the Neo1973. Hmm. I love the idea, but am less in love with how it will probably talk to my MacBook Pro. But, if I had to pick one now, I'd go with the open source Neo1973, even though I'm a Mac fanboy. I think that says something.
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