Openmoko and Oxford Archaeology; the Googles of tomorrow?
From the pages of the Independent:
If you think you've personalised your mobile phone, think again. "You can put rhinestones on it," says Steve Mosher, the vice-president of OpenMoko, "but you can't customise the operating system. If you wanted to turn your phone into something that controlled your TV, you couldn't." Until now, that is. OpenMoko has produced the first completely open-source handset. That means the software that makes everything work is developed by volunteers from across the world.
In 2007, OpenMoko sent its prototype handset – and the software source codes – to around 10,000 amateur developers. These outside contributors were asked either to submit improvements to the controlling software, or post new add-on applications online for other users to download to their handsets.
Mosher suggests the phone could be used to download medical records and organise prescriptions. It has found favour with archaeologists at the British practice Oxford Archaeology.
Hey Joseph,
Sorry I missed you last night - it was damn hot and I was getting tired. Not sure how I find time to go to work with all this hacking I'd rather be doing.
Do you have any more specifics about what you would like to be using OpenMoko for? What sort of apps do you use / what are your goals in terms of digital recording?
With regard to the OLPC i guess an eee would provide more grunt and full java compatibility beyond 1.4 but has the added cost. Not got my hands on either yet (no time...) so couldn't comment on the difference in durability...
Posted by Pete on April 23, 2008 at 07:28 AM BST #
Hi Pete,
Thanks for taking the time to comment; sorry we didn't get to meet at the Geek Night.
To be really brief, we've got some ideas about what we want to do with the FreeRunner (I've got two on my desk now, but that's for another post) :
1: Replacing current pen and paper on site recording with a database in our data centre accessed via the browser. Essentially you'll want to record something, you'll click an icon, it'll launch the app and present you with a remediated version of the traditional context sheet.
2: A-GPS using a FreeRunner as a base station and either wifi or bluetooth communications between all device on site to provide a very precise recording tool.
3: Communications - email, phone, VOIP, SMS, blogs to all members of staff.
We'd liek to develop the systems to enable all this to happen and sell hardware and services to anyone that wants them. We're in the business of making Archaeology better for everyone, not just Oxford Archaeology, which is what we're planning to do with this kit.
Keep in touch, Joseph
Posted by Joseph Reeves on April 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM BST #