Sean's speech at ESC about making a 3G device

[Steve Mosher]

Sargun Dhillon wrote:
> When will project B be announced?

I have not made a final decision. First I need a solid schedule from 
engineering. That is, a schedule, with a high probability of hitting its 
target.
Given the channels I expect to launch this in, there is no leeway for
slips. I'm talking about schedule certainty down to the week if not day.
Right now as a placeholder date for the announcement I have a day 
selected in august.



> 
> On Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 10:27 PM, Steve Mosher <steve at openmoko.com> wrote:
>> Since I worked on the presentation with Sean for the days he was here in
>> SF, let me give you my view and sean's view. That way we won't get into
>> some version of the telephone game.
>>
>> Sean discussed three things at OpenExpo.
>>
>> 1. Our successes.
>> 2. Our mistakes.
>> 3. Our challenges
>>
>> I won't go over 1& 2 but I'll cover #3 since rasters perception has
>> a bit of color added to it. Only a tiny bit and he's entitled
>> to that color commentary, I'll just add what Sean and I, as authors
>> of the presentation, had as our message.
>>
>> Our biggest challenge was to make a choice about how to spend the
>> balance of 2009.
>>
>> There were two paths:
>> A: Fulfill our promises on FreeRunner and launch GTA03
>> B: Fulfill our promises on FreeRunner and  launch project B.
>>
>> We will talk more about project B in the coming months, but these
>> salient facts should be able to guide any budding executives out there.
>>
>> 1. GTA03 was in constant flux as a design.
>> 2. GTA03 schedule was consequently always slipping.
>> 3. The resources required for GTA03 are 3X those required for Project B.
>> 4. We don't have 3X.
>>
>> So, we picked plan B.
>>
>> Now comes the question, what about GTA03? how do we get there? And when?
>> and what is it?
>>
>> Well my basic argument was and is this:
>>
>> First we attend to the issues that still remain with the GTA02. That's
>> why the VP of marketing ( of all people) is working on the buzz fix
>> problem. Second we complete project B. When we've done that, then we
>> get to eat dessert. Essentially, I made the same argument I heard so
>> many times on this list: "How do expect us to buy a GTA03 when you've
>> yet to deliver on all the promise of FreeRunner?" And I took the
>> arguments I heard from disty seriously, "how do you expect us to buy FR,
>> when GTA03 is right around the corner?" And I accepted the arguments I
>> heard from Engineers I respect who questioned the viability of the GTA03
>> in the market place. All of those arguments said "put a bullet in its
>> brain pan!"
>>
>>  So, what about GTA03? As it was defined, it is dead. So how do we
>> get to a new GTA03? Two requirements: continue to improve GTA02; deliver
>> on project B. What is GTA03 and when do we get there? There are a number
>> of independent efforts out there that are pitching me ideas for GTA03.
>> I talked to sean a bit about this and I'd like to try to open up more
>> of the design process and the marketing process to the community.
>> Perhaps on a separate list. Some of these discussions have already started.
>>
>> What can you do to help?
>> 1. Move GTA02 code upstream.
>> 2. Stay Involved.
>> 3. Continue work on applications
>> 4. Buy a FreeRunner.
>> 5. Get involved in GTA03 discussions
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>> Carsten Haitzler (The Rasterman) wrote:
>>> On Thu, 2 Apr 2009 18:35:58 +0100 Rui Miguel Silva Seabra <rms at 1407.org> said:
>>>
>>>> On Thu, Apr 02, 2009 at 06:13:36PM +0100, Justyn Butler wrote:
>>>>> 2009/4/2 Rui Miguel Silva Seabra <rms at 1407.org>:
>>>>>> On Thu, Apr 02, 2009 at 05:38:42PM +0100, Justyn Butler wrote:
>>>>>>> He also explains what it would take to put 3G in the phones, saying
>>>>>>> that they'd do it (but the 3G part would be closed) if a customer put
>>>>>>> in a large enough order (ie 50,000 units).
>>>>>> You've just convinced me that, unless this changes, no OpenMoko with 3G
>>>>>> will get my money as far as I'm concerned :)
>>>>> Why the outrage?
>>>> I bought the OpenMoko to get a more Free Software phone, not one that
>>>> gets less and less Free as new devices come up :)
>>>>
>>>> I seriously hope GTA3 fixes some of the most serious problems GTA2 had
>>>> regarding that.
>>> 3g can be done - just like the 2g on feeerunner - you will talk to a closed
>>> blob via a defined protocol. just like any chip anywhere. no less free than
>>> gta02 in that way. BUT yes - you'll pay an extra $200.
>>>
>>> nb gta03 - you missed the news from sean's talk at openexpo in switzerland.
>>> gta03 is "postponed" (read cancelled - postponed is just a nice way to say it
>>> and try and keep the community hanging around in hope it un-cancels, as
>>> openmoko has laid off most of their staff (also news from openexpo), their
>>> linux staff. you don't un-postpone if you just let all the people go who work
>>> on the software).
>>>
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