MobiLiberty FAQ
This page should help clarify some of the questions that may be commonly asked about MobiLiberty.com and the topic that it is about, mobile devices running on Free Software and Open Standards.
What is the purpose of MobiLiberty.com?
The technology industry is going through a shift, as it always does. This time the shift includes a new breed of mobile technologies, mobile phones unlike those we are used to and mobile devices far more capable than the current mainstream ones. We believe that under the influence of the Free Software and Open Source movements some of these new devices will also become more open, both in hardware and software, allowing for greater flexibility and freedom of its users.
What may be a perfect example of such a product is the OpenMoko framework and the Neo1973 phone as its first native device. MobiLiberty.com is launched in expectation of this new trend, in order to promote it, discuss it and allow the community to gather around it. There was no site with a specific purpose of covering next generation mobile devices running Free Software and Open Standards specifically, and aiming to cover the subject for more than just developers and geeks. That's why we're here.
What's in a name?
MobiLiberty.com simply comes from the term "Mobile Liberty" which refers to the freedom that a user of mobile devices powered by Free Software and Open Standards have, freedom from usual cost inducing constraints designed for no particularly good technical reason, but to restrict users for profit. With such a mobile device, you are in control, not your vendor.
What is the official term?
We don't yet have an official term for the mobile phones powered by Free Software and Open Standards. We often call it just "open mobile", but a better term could be found. Maybe "libre mobile"? Feel free to send us suggestions if you have any.
What is OpenMoko?
OpenMoko is a completely free (as in freedom) software stack for mobile devices, including a GNU/Linux based operating system and other components necessary for a completely functioning mobile phone. The first native OpenMoko powered phone is Neo1973, developed in cooperation with the OpenMoko community, by FIC. There will be other OpenMoko powered phones.
For more information about OpenMoko go to OpenMoko.org.
Do all GNU/Linux powered phones count as open phones that MobiLiberty.com covers?
While we do cover all phones which use Free Software, as it is good to know and care if any device makes use of it, not all mobile devices are completely powered by Free Software nor Open Standards. Some run GNU/Linux in combination with proprietary software. Others may even run fully Free Software, but still use a hardware design that is not fully standards compliant. So it depends on the device.
However, OpenMoko strives to be a fully Free Software and standards compliant stack with a fully open standards compliant Neo1973 phone to go with it. It is pretty much a role model for the kinds of devices this site is about.
However, we wish to cover all smartphone and alike devices which at its core (at least) run Free Software.
