Question about future devices (GTA03,04)

[Joachim Steiger]

Stroller wrote:
> Yeah, but you're the guys who can just slip the odd extra chip into  
> the design without anyone else noticing.   ;)

don't think so ;)

> If questioned just tell management that Classic FM is required to  
> soothe the kernel penguins.

well.. it adds power, space and cost and complexity to the whole thing.
and quite ugly rf validation and eventually even certification
requirements depending on where you plan to sell it i guess ;)

it was already discussed in detail last year i think.

to sum it up: OM does know that _some_ people want a fm radio.
same as for electronic (magnetic) compass, a rfid transceiver/nfc stuff,
embedded micro-beamers, fm transmitters, dvb-t/h receivers, dab/drm
receivers etc. or a camera.
others again do not want some parts with a reason (price, size, usage
constraints (some companies forbid entering with a cameraphone)

we just need to make the best out of it for all involved parties:
* om needs to build and sell hardware
* the community wants to get a device which is not vaporvare and not in
development forever.

so we need to find a nice compromise and be careful what to add, in
which configuration and for which product to please us all (the
community when it comes to features and availability as well as price
and size) and om in the cause to survive by building real free and open
designs.

not easy all the time, but i think it helps us all, if everybody knows
that its 'not that easy' to add some part just like that, but hard work.
to find components we can and want use, which are available and please
om as well as the community due to price, availability, features and
size AND open documentations or drivers is sometimes very time consuming.

as for fm.. its kinda borderline for me, (personally, not that my
opinion counts more than yours) since i never listen to fm radio anymore.
its more important to have the 3.5 mm jack for reasonable headphones,
and a solid and good quality audio electronics in front of that, for me.
lets all thank joerg, that he has already taken care of that ;)
kudos.

regards


-- 

Joachim Steiger
Openmoko Central Services