So we are finally selling hardware now. This is mainly a good thing, since we show that this device is not just vapourware. However, it is also a dangerous thing, since now people may buy this under false assumptions, being very disappointed because it (more or less) doesn't do anything... To put this very straight:
THIS IS NOT AN END-USER DEVICE!
IT IS NOT (YET) THE IPHONE KILLER WE ALL ARE WAITING FOR!
THIS IS A DEVELOPER RELEASE, NOT A CONSUMER PRODUCT!
It may not even always be a phone -- since thanks to all the distracting hoops and roadblockers we had to jump through, the result is a software that's really not up to par yet -- everything is in an amazingly unsatisfying and rough state and I won't bet on its ability to make or receive calls all of the time.
However, this doesn't prevent it from being a revolutionary device -- it is a canvas that will enable you developers to draw your own ideas upon -- thus shaping the future of mobile communications and being a part of a great community. And it won't be alone, there will be many more canvases to follow.
The really good thing is that not only are we super-committed to making this hardware and software platform a rocking success, but we also got some big guys standing behind us and supporting us. It may take a while for OpenMoko to really get off, but we already seem to scare some of the big players :D
If you ask me how long we will take to get to a device that is end-user friendly, then I will answer you: At least 6 months from now, perhaps even more. But don't forget -- this is more of an open source project than anything else. We release early and we release often -- now go and flame us for that, because it doesn't live up to your expectations. Or see it as the developer board it is and join us in developing a mobile platform based on openness, freedom and virtually endless possibilities.