GeeksPhone
Encyclopedia
GeeksPhone is a Spanish start-up company and producer of smartphone
s.
, was announced in 2009 and started shipping in early 2010, becoming the first European brand to launch an Android smartphone to the mass market. Three new models, including the Zero and Two, were announced in 2010 and are due to be launched in 2011.
The company claims to be the first to provide an Android-powered handset which allows the user to modify operating system components without having to root
the device first. New OS images can easily be installed on the device; the company operates a wiki
and a forum for users to share knowledge.
As of July 2010, the GeeksPhone One is not available through any of the big mobile operators. While GeeksPhone does not rule out cooperation with operators for the future, CEO Javier Agüera has stated that the “freedom-based” business model would have priority over any such agreement.
Although its philosophy is somewhat similar to that of Openmoko
, GeeksPhone does not publish hardware specifications for its devices beyond a data sheet. Another difference is that GeeksPhone aims to provide a stable device suitable for everyday use and capable of competing with other commercial devices on the market. The GeeksPhone One ships with an Android version which has undergone quality tests and passed Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Code Compliance certification, allowing it to include closed-source Android components and participate in Android Market.
About emerging competitor Synapse-Phones's strategy to offer smartphones with customizable hardware, Rodrigo Silva-Ramos stated that GeeksPhone had tried the same, but found it impossible. He noted, however, that the existence of a competitor confirmed the viability of the company's business model.
Developers can get technical support from GeeksPhone and major contributors may receive an additional free handset for development from GeeksPhone and, in some cases, sponsorships.
GeeksPhone initially announced that phones would not yet ship with CCRs preinstalled; however, as of at least October 2010, phones have been shipped with RCMod 3, a CCR based on Android 2.2 (Froyo).
There are speculations that the third, yet unnamed product announced for 2011 will be a tablet computer; however, GeeksPhone has not made a definitive statement.
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
s.
History
GeeksPhone was founded in early 2009 by Javier Agüera and Rodrigo Silva-Ramos. Its first product, the GeeksPhone OneGeeksPhone One
The GeeksPhone One is an Android-powered smartphone developed and marketed by GeeksPhone. It is aimed at power users; GeeksPhone claims it to be the first Android phone which is not locked down but gives users full access to the operating system and even encourages modifying it...
, was announced in 2009 and started shipping in early 2010, becoming the first European brand to launch an Android smartphone to the mass market. Three new models, including the Zero and Two, were announced in 2010 and are due to be launched in 2011.
Philosophy
GeeksPhone specializes in the development, promotion and commercialization of open source mobile telephony solutions. The company considers the One smartphone and its successors (announced in late 2010) the first stage of the its initiative, without making any statements about planned future stages.The company claims to be the first to provide an Android-powered handset which allows the user to modify operating system components without having to root
Rooting (Android OS)
Rooting is a process that allows users of mobile phones and other devices running the Android operating system to attain privileged control within Android's Linux subsystem with the goal of overcoming limitations that carriers and manufacturers put on some devices...
the device first. New OS images can easily be installed on the device; the company operates a wiki
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
and a forum for users to share knowledge.
As of July 2010, the GeeksPhone One is not available through any of the big mobile operators. While GeeksPhone does not rule out cooperation with operators for the future, CEO Javier Agüera has stated that the “freedom-based” business model would have priority over any such agreement.
Although its philosophy is somewhat similar to that of Openmoko
Openmoko
Openmoko is a project to create a family of open source mobile phones, including the hardware specification and the operating system. The project was sponsored by Openmoko Inc....
, GeeksPhone does not publish hardware specifications for its devices beyond a data sheet. Another difference is that GeeksPhone aims to provide a stable device suitable for everyday use and capable of competing with other commercial devices on the market. The GeeksPhone One ships with an Android version which has undergone quality tests and passed Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Code Compliance certification, allowing it to include closed-source Android components and participate in Android Market.
About emerging competitor Synapse-Phones's strategy to offer smartphones with customizable hardware, Rodrigo Silva-Ramos stated that GeeksPhone had tried the same, but found it impossible. He noted, however, that the existence of a competitor confirmed the viability of the company's business model.
Certified Community Release program
In July 2010, GeeksPhone announced their Certified Community Release (CCR) program. CCRs are Android ports developed by the community and subsequently certified by GeeksPhone. Releases may be certified as “stable” or “beta”. While full credit is given to the developer, GeeksPhone will provide technical support to users of these builds and flash phones with a CCR if requested by the customer. Use of a CCR will not void the warranty of the phone.Developers can get technical support from GeeksPhone and major contributors may receive an additional free handset for development from GeeksPhone and, in some cases, sponsorships.
GeeksPhone initially announced that phones would not yet ship with CCRs preinstalled; however, as of at least October 2010, phones have been shipped with RCMod 3, a CCR based on Android 2.2 (Froyo).
Products
| Model | Type | Sold in | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| One GeeksPhone One The GeeksPhone One is an Android-powered smartphone developed and marketed by GeeksPhone. It is aimed at power users; GeeksPhone claims it to be the first Android phone which is not locked down but gives users full access to the operating system and even encourages modifying it... |
Smartphone | 2009–2010 | Out of stock |
| Zero | Smartphone | 2011 | Available |
| Two | Smartphone | Announced for 2011 | Not yet available |
There are speculations that the third, yet unnamed product announced for 2011 will be a tablet computer; however, GeeksPhone has not made a definitive statement.