[Gslug-general] Linux friendly phones?

[Andrew Becherer]

On Mon, 2009-01-12 at 11:31 -0800, Stan Dyck wrote:
> Any recommendations for linux friendly phones?

I have no doubt in my mind that the Google Android operating system will
become the most Linux friendly mobile operating system. It is currently
only held back by its limited distribution. We will find out in 2009 if
it can catch on as a platform on par with the iPhone, Windows Mobile and
Symbian. 

> * Calendar and contact syncing  (with open formats, please)

There is currently no direct Linux sync (that I am aware of) although
Funambol supports Android.

> * Tethering

There are currently limited, proof of concept, applications that allow
Linux tethering. There is not yet a polished tethering application but
the only thing preventing this is a developer taking up the task.

> * General hackability

The G1 and Android developer handsets are tiny Linux machines with a
custom VM called Dalvik (which is the standard, although not the only,
way to develop for the phone). Unlocked developer handsets can be
purchased for $400 and the source code is freely available under the
GPL. Currently there are only GSM handsets available which limits
Android to T-Mobile and At&t. Furthermore the G1 does not support the
frequencies required for At&t 3G (HSDPA and UMTS) access. It does
support T-Mobile's, albeit limited, 3G network. More handsets should be
released this year. 

--
Andrew Becherer