First impressions of Neo1973

[Dr. H. Nikolaus Schaller]

> Why do we keep saying it's still early?  The phone was due in  
> March, and it's now not going to ship (if we're lucky) until June.   
> It's not early, it's late!  Yes, the hardware has had issues, and  
> yes we want it right, but the software should have been ready to go  
> in March when it was scheduled to be released.  Everyone keeps  
> saying that it doesn't matter that this thing is

For a mass market phone I agree that it is late - and to be precise,  
it was announced for January: http://www.openmoko.com/files/ 
OpenMoko_20061107.pdf
But for a really unique open developer platform it is never too late.

> going to be released around the iPhone's release - but just try and  
> get some PR during the iPhone's rollout.  Timing is everything, and  
> in June all eyes will be on Apple.  Say what you want, but this  
> latest ship was just another shot in the foot towards the product's  
> success.

That depends on whether you believe this "iPhone killer" positioning  
does matter at all. I think what more matters is whether Apple opens  
the iPhone or not. Apple appears to be undecided themselves:

http://www.macrumors.com/2007/05/11/apple-still-considering-3rd-party- 
iphone-app-development/