OpenMoko to release Neo 2 in second quarter

OpenMoko, a Taiwan-based developer of Linux-based open source handset platforms, has revealed plans to release version 2 of its Neo open source handset in the second quarter of this year.

The plans were announced by OpenMoko’s president, Sean Moss-Pultz, who said that as well as pushing sales of open source handsets, the company hopes to work in co-operation with hardware device vendors to develop and produce new hardware devices that will leverage on OpenMoko’s platform solutions and manufacturing capability.

As part of these plans, OpenMoko is already working together with Dash to develop the Dash Express, a portable navigation device (PND). Dash will be in charge of application developments and marketing of the PND.

Moss-Pultz predicts that in the future joint production with device partners will make up one third of OpenMoko’s revenues. The other two-thirds will be accounted for by open source handsets.