The FIC Neo1973 is a Linux-based quad-band GSM/GPRS smartphone, the first device to feature the open-source OpenMoKo platform. It is scheduled to ship for sale in September with a price tag of $350. The device is controlled entirely by its touch screen. However, it still needs to be worked on. The screen is difficult to use and often doesn't respond to fingertip inputs. A stylus in this case would be more convinient, but the phone does not have a clip or docking bay to hold it. The FIC Neo1973 is based on the open-source OpenMoko platform, which allows to install a great variety of software and applications on the phone, and gives almost full hardware access. Only the GSM/GPRS module parameters can not be changed. With this open-source platform carriers can offer a wider range of software without heavy development costs. The platform will eventually run on a wide range of phones, and later models of Neo1973 are already developing. OpenMoko began negotiating with potential European partners to offer the device in Europe.
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