Long before smartphones became walled gardens, there was OpenMoko. Launched in the early 2000s, it was one of the first truly open source smartphone projects with open hardware, open software, open everything. The Neo1973 and later the FreeRunner aimed to give users full control, down to the bootloader and radio firmware.

The idea was radical for its time. Developers could tinker with the kernel, replace the UI, or even rewrite the modem stack. But poor hardware, high prices, and limited polish meant it never took off commercially. Still, it left a lasting impression on the DIY and privacy-focused communities. OpenMoko was a vision of freedom in your pocket, long before most people realized what they’d given up.

#OpenMoko #ForgottenTech #OpenHardware #FreeSoftware #MobileFreedom

@fraggle Yes, I still haven an #openmoko in a drawer. Unfortunately, I can not charge it any more to start it up. Currently I use a #Librem5 as daily phone.

#MobileLinux #FOSS #opensource