Openmoko Inc., maker of the world’s first totally open mobile phone, has demonstrated several Linux distributions running on the company’s FreeRunner mobile hardware platform. Included in the demonstration, which was held at the recent International CES in Las Vegas, were Debian, community-driven FDOM, QT by Trolltech (recently acquired by Nokia), and Google’s Android.

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In addition to employing the FreeRunner’s open hardware, open software, and open CAD in a mobile phone, developers are using the technology to create new consumer and embedded products. Applications include medical, industrial, tourism, communications, entertainment, scientific visualization, and military functions. Openmoko’s William Lai, who gave the demonstration, said there have been five or six distributions on the platform and that there were even user-generated operating systems.

He noted that the look and feel of the phone is also open, with Openmoko providing 3D CAD files. This enables developers and consumers to personalize devices, much like a computer, as they see fit.

Last July, Openmoko announced an agreement with Koolu Inc., a Canadian company, to distribute the FreeRunner Open Source mobile phone in all of the Americas, the U.K., and the European Union, with plans to expand globally through local partners. The Neo FreeRunner has a suggested retail price of $399.

• Openmoko Inc.

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