# Openmoko Linux

> mobile operating system developed by the Openmoko project

**Wikidata**: [Q2531940](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2531940)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Openmoko_Linux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/openmoko-linux

## Summary  
Openmoko Linux is a free, GPL‑licensed mobile operating system built as a Linux distribution for smartphones. It was co‑developed by the Taiwanese company Openmoko and is based on the Ångström distribution, running primarily on the Neo FreeRunner and Neo 1973 devices.

## Key Facts  
- **Developer:** Openmoko, a Taiwanese corporation founded on 7 November 2006.  
- **Classification:** Mobile operating system and Linux distribution; subclass of Linux.  
- **Base distribution:** Ångström distribution.  
- **License:** GNU General Public License (GPL).  
- **Primary hardware:** Runs on the Neo FreeRunner (U.S.‑origin) and the Neo 1973 smartphone.  
- **Official website:** <http://www.openmoko.org/>.  
- **Image reference:** <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Qtmoko_v26_Main.png>.  
- **Copyright status:** Copyrighted.  
- **Sitelink count (Wikipedia):** 11 language editions (including en, fr, ja, ko, etc.).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Openmoko Linux?  
A: Openmoko Linux is an open‑source mobile operating system built on the Linux kernel, designed for smartphones and released under the GPL.  

### Q: Who created Openmoko Linux?  
A: It was co‑developed by Openmoko, a Taiwanese corporation established on 7 November 2006.  

### Q: Which devices can run Openmoko Linux?  
A: The OS is used on the Neo FreeRunner and the Neo 1973 smartphones.  

### Q: Is Openmoko Linux free to use and modify?  
A: Yes; it is released under the GNU General Public License, allowing free use, modification, and redistribution.  

### Q: What is the underlying Linux distribution for Openmoko Linux?  
A: It is based on the Ångström distribution, a lightweight Linux distro for embedded devices.  

## Why It Matters  
Openmoko Linux represents one of the earliest attempts to deliver a fully open‑source smartphone platform, challenging the dominance of proprietary mobile operating systems. By leveraging the flexible Ångström base and the GPL, it gave developers and hobbyists unprecedented access to the full software stack of a phone, from kernel to user interface. This openness fostered a community‑driven ecosystem that experimented with alternative user interfaces, communication protocols, and hardware integrations. Although commercial adoption was limited, the project demonstrated the feasibility of community‑maintained mobile OSes and influenced later open‑source initiatives such as Android’s Linux foundation and various community‑focused projects. Its legacy persists in the ongoing dialogue about software freedom, device transparency, and the role of open source in mobile technology.  

## Notable For  
- **First open‑source smartphone OS** that combined a full Linux distribution with a mobile UI.  
- **Based on Ångström**, providing a lightweight, embedded‑friendly foundation.  
- **Runs on the Neo FreeRunner and Neo 1973**, the only smartphones officially shipped with this OS.  
- **Developed by Openmoko**, a Taiwanese firm founded in 2006, highlighting cross‑regional collaboration in open‑source hardware.  
- **GPL licensing**, ensuring the code remains freely available for modification and redistribution.  

## Body  

### Classification and Relationships  
- Openmoko Linux is an **instance of both “mobile operating system” and “Linux distribution”** (Wikidata).  
- It is a **subclass of Linux**, inheriting the Unix‑like characteristics of the kernel.  

### Development History  
- The project was **co‑developed by Openmoko**, a Taiwanese corporation incorporated on **7 November 2006** (source: archived Openmoko community mailing list).  
- Openmoko’s headquarters are in **Xindian District, Taiwan**.  

### Technical Foundations  
- **Base distribution:** Ångström, a lightweight Linux distro tailored for embedded devices.  
- **Kernel:** Standard Linux kernel, providing the core Unix‑like functionality.  
- **License:** GNU General Public License, granting users the right to view, modify, and share the source code.  

### Hardware Compatibility  
- **Neo FreeRunner:** A smartphone released in the United States that ships with Openmoko Linux pre‑installed.  
- **Neo 1973:** Another Openmoko‑branded smartphone that runs the same OS.  

### Distribution and Availability  
- The OS is **hosted on the official website** <http://www.openmoko.org/>.  
- Visual assets, such as the **Qtmoko v2.6 main screen**, are available on Wikimedia Commons.  

### Community and Impact  
- Although the commercial lifespan was short, the project cultivated a **global developer community** that contributed patches, UI designs, and hardware drivers.  
- Its open nature **inspired later mobile platforms** to adopt Linux kernels and open‑source components.  

## Schema Markup  

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  "name": "Openmoko Linux",
  "description": "Mobile operating system developed by the Openmoko project, based on the Ångström distribution and released under the GPL.",
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## References

1. [Source](http://lists.openmoko.org/pipermail/announce/2007-January/000000.html)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013