OpenMoko Divorces FIC, Gets New Product

[phoronix]

Phoronix: OpenMoko Divorces FIC, Gets New Product

OpenMoko has today announced that they are now a separate company from FIC. While FIC will continue to invest in OpenMoko and will manufacturer products for the OpenMoko platform, it has become a separate company in order to further develop its brand leadership and develop new open-source business models...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=NjI2OQ

[Radon]

I am interested in buying the OpenMoko once it's ready. What really convinced me is the Wishlist (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist), it just shows the unlimited possibilities of the device. My favourite are:

-Emergency Call (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Emergency_call) eg. when the device detects too high deacceleration
-Dictionary and thesaurus (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Dictionary.2C_thesaurus.2C_translator_and _flashcards), I'm studying Chinese so this is welcome. I could use SCIM to write SMS/emails and connect to online/offline dictionaries on the go.
-Seamless calendar and contacts integration (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#PIM_.28Personal_Information_Managment.29) with my PC since both are running Linux

-Anti-theft mode (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Anti-Theft_Mode)
-Dude, where's my car? (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Bluetooth_Car_Connection)
-Bluetooth management (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#GPS_Assisted_Bluetooth_Management)
-Keep-in-touch reminder (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Keep_in_touch_reminder)

-OpenOffice presenter control (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#OpenOffice_Presenter_Control)
-Mesh networking (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist:Mesh_Networking)
-Interaction with LEGO Mindstorm (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Interaction_with_LEGO_Mindstorm)
-Widgets (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Widget_support)
-Amarok remote control (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Amarok_and_other_Media_Player_remote_cont rol)
-Extra Wii controller (http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Wishlist#Wii_Controller_Emulator)


I wonder what it will mean to them losing the direct support of FIC and why they had to seperate ways. Hoping for the best! :)

[bogdanbiv]

From the title I understood OpenMoko separated forcibly from FIC as in some disagreement inside the team.
Phoronix: OpenMoko Divorces FIC, Gets New Product Reading the body of the article I get to know this is not actually the case, but it is still a bad call. "separated" was a better word.
Or first explaining the need for a separation: "<<FIC>> decided OpenMoko needs better marketing than it can provide, thus making a subsidiary company".