OpenMoko's NEO 1973 mobile phone has a hefty $300 price tag. It's not locked to any provider and has a Linux open-source operating system that will enable a relatively large number of software developers to write inexpensive and possibly even free applications. It may not be quite as sexy looking as the iPhone but it's no slacker and it does have its advantages.
Implications - The featured video shows off the phone and some of its many functions. Since this is only the first version of the NEO 1973 OpenMoko phone, there will surely be updates in the near future. The phone is all touchscreen and comes with a micro SD card slot, a USB port and 2.5G GSM quad band capability.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Open-source Mobile Phones
- The rise of open-source mobile phones presents disruptive innovation opportunities for software developers to create inexpensive and customizable applications.
- Linux Operating System
- The use of Linux as an open-source operating system in mobile phones opens up opportunities for developers to create innovative and customizable software.
- Provider-independent Mobile Phones
- The emergence of provider-independent mobile phones disrupts the traditional model and offers consumers more freedom and flexibility in choosing their phone service provider.
Where This Applies
- Mobile Technology
- The mobile technology industry can leverage the open-source mobile phone trend to develop innovative devices and software.
- Software Development
- The software development industry can capitalize on the rise of open-source mobile phones by creating specialized applications for these devices.
- Telecommunications
- The telecommunications industry must adapt to the disruptive innovation of provider-independent mobile phones and find new ways to attract and retain customers.
