Why is there no Linux cell phone? All those Nerds out there are using the same phones as the rest of the crowd. Then they go home and play wizards on their Linux computer - and we all know the power of the Linux revolution - even IBM has joined it.

What would happen if a "Linus-look-alike" made a Linux GSM phone? Well. Trolltech just did it.

The Norwegian company that provides the inner works of Linux's KDE Desktop - Qt has moved their desktoptop engine into embedded computers. And now now they offer Greenphone, a complete Linux powered GSM smartphone. Included with the phone is the source code for the Linux OS, desktop, and all applications in it. And a full SDK - the programmer tools required to conveniently program the phone.

Trolltech claims this to be the First Truly Open Phone and expect it to be an enabler for new innovation. They frankly say they expect to be surprised by all creativity and innovation that will come from the Open Source phone.

Greenphone will use the same kind of dual licensing as they offer for Qt and is similar to the offerings from Cygwin (now part of www.RedHat.com) and www.mySQL.com. Open Source developers are offered the GNU GPL license (same as for the Linux kernel and all www.gnu.org software that is the biggest part of what the average person consider to be "Linux"). For others, there is a commercial license at cost, which exclude the GNU GPL requirements to distribute all source code.

The Community version of Qtopia Phone Edition (ie for users who prefer GNU GPL) is offered for USD 695 plus tax, shipping and handling. Ordering is done by contacting sales@trolltech.com

More about the GNU GPL version of the software and the dual licensing model.
http://www.trolltech.com/developer/downloads/qtopia/pdaedition

More about GNU GPL
http://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl-faq.html

The press release at Trolltech:
http://www.trolltech.com/company/newsroom/announcements/press.2006-09-11...

FAQ and detailed information for the Greenphone:
http://www.trolltech.com/products/qtopia/phone_edition/greenphone

Manual for the Greenphone:
http://www.qtopia.net/modules/devices/greenphone_userguide.pdf