Openmoko Signs Koolu to Distribute

Freerunner Open Source Mobile Phone


Koolu uniquely positioned to reach

significant markets with programmable mobile phone


TAIPEI, TAIWAN -- July 21, 2008 -- Openmoko, creator of the first completely open mobile computing platform, today announced an agreement  with Koolu Inc. a Canadian-based company, to distribute the  Freerunner Open Source mobile phone in all of the Americas, the United Kingdom and the European Union with plans to expand globally through local partners.   


"We have moved beyond  the early adopter stage and are now ready to release  the next generation Neo Freerunner  to  markets where we are seeing early traction," said Steve Mosher,  Openmoko vice president of marketing. "Key distributors, like Koolu, have relationships that reach deeply into markets that can leverage the features of this remarkable mobile device and advance it even further through software and exterior customization."


Koolu logoKoolu, known for its innovations in easy-to-use services such as Google Apps and Skype, will distribute the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner phone first to developers, and later to consumers as Google Apps go mobile.  Koolu has created a program unique in the industry by offering free Neo FreeRunner phones in a referral program (see www.koolu.com) for Google Apps world-wide. 

 "Koolu will surround  the phone with services and applications to lower the entry point to Internet and telephony access", said Jim Despathy, President of Koolu.  "The phone will reach new markets that are presently not being addressed by traditional phones and phone companies but at the same time bring these phone companies clients they previously could not reach."


"I am very happy that Koolu chose to distribute the NEO FreeRunner", said Jon "maddog" Hall, CTO of Koolu.  "As a supporter of Free and Open Culture, I know how important it is for companies to be able to change the software to meet their needs, and not be at the mercy of some large company who is keeping the code proprietary.  Openmoko has created a platform that our customers will be able to use 'as is', or change to meet their specific needs.  At the same time, Koolu will be there to provide support and services for our partners."


Pricing and availability

The Openmoko Neo Freerunner has a suggested retail price of $399.  Openmoko will sell the phone directly from it its webshop www.Openmoko.com and via distributors in the Americas, such as Koolu (www.shop.koolu.com), as well as Europe and India.  The company will announce availability in other regions of the world at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco, August 5-7, 2008 where Openmoko can be seen in the Linux Garage Pavilion booth 1234 and at booth 1625 in the Moscone Center North Hall. 


About Openmoko

Openmoko is the commercial and community driven effort with a mission to create open mobile products that empower developers and consumers to personalize their devices, much like a computer, in any way they see fit. Openmoko is dedicated to helping innovators bring freedom and flexibility to consumer electronics and vertical market devices.

For the latest information about Openmoko, visit www.Openmoko.com.


About Koolu

Koolu is a privately held Canadian Company serving a global market with customers in over 27 countries. Koolu's passion is in easy-to-use, low-cost and ecologically friendly green computing and communications products. Collaborating with best-of-breed companies, Koolu provides Linux-based solutions using Free and Open Source software and other solutions such as Google Apps. 

 

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Press Contacts:

Company Contact:

Steven Mosher

Vice President Marketing

steve@Openmoko.com

+1.408.313.9284


Public Relations Contact:

Pat Meier-Johnson

Pat Meier Associates Public Relations

patmeier@patmeier.com

415.389.1700

+1.415.717.9677 (mobile)


Andrew Greig

Koolu Media Contact

media.relations@koolu.com

+1.905.481.1201

 

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For Immediate Release

Contact:

Pat Meier-Johnson

415-389-1700

Pat Meier Associates