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WiFiPhoneOverview:Detailed below is a plan to develop a mobile phone which communicates over wifi using Jabber and Google's voice specification.
Details:The impetus for this was the ZipIt, a $99 IM device running Linux and marketed to teens. The ZipIt connects to the internet via wifi, and is able to update it's firmware and software transparently via that connection. One of the major reported problems with it is that it doesn't have a backlight. Otherwise, hackers and the target demographic seem to be pleased with it. The idea with the WiFi Phone is to create a very similar device, but in the form factor of a mobile phone. It would use Jabber as a communication protocol, due to it's open nature and integration with Google's soon-to-be-released voice specifications. Jabber has a strong open source development community built around it, and the Jabber protocol (XMPP) has been accepted by the IETF as the Internet Standard for Instant Messaging. The unique nature of this device allows for the following features:
HardwareThere are a couple of different routes to explore here:
Display Okaya COG LCDs Samsung PDA LCD - UG24U01WGHT3A - b/w
Softwarelibstrophe, XMPP
Issues with this idea:There are two major outstanding issues with this idea: mobility and integration with existing phone network. Due to the limited range of wifi, this phone concept would need to "hop" from hotspot to hotspot. I don't know whether this is currently possible or not, or will be within the next few years (timeframe for phone's release). Correction: This is definitely possible in cities implementing free wifi across the city (confirmed in New York, Orlando). Additionally, most users will likely expect integration with the existing phone network. While not currently a possibility, I would expect a service like this will be developed in the open source community if this device meets with success. It could also be argued that this idea doesn't have a true "market", as there simply is not enough market penetration of wifi to give such a device a range of utility. I argue that adoption of wifi will only continue to grow, and will continue to be offered for free at many locations (coffee shops, city-wide initiatives, train stations, universities, etc).
Target AudienceEarly adoptors will be current Jabber users, who tend to be technically adept, as well as hardware hackers, such as the ZipIt users. Because the device will run Linux, we can anticipate a large open source following. Open source developers tend to be highly creative and motivated, and will likely be strong contributors to the growth of this device. Additionally, I forsee a large market among college-age students, who tend to have access to a wide range of hotspots between university campuses, coffee shops, bookstores, and their own homes. We should explore ways to find the hubs of these social networks, and offer complementary phones to them to push adoption.
Business ModelAll of the technology within the phones will be open source. All of the hardware specifications will also be openly available for those who wish to construct their own phones: these could be end users, phone manufacturers, computer manufacturers, or others. The most important factor is simply interoperability between phones. Competition can only help the customer. Because all of the technology within the phones will be open source, and the hardware specifications will be openly available, revenue will be based on hardware sales. There will be no licensing fees for software; the only associated development costs will be in marketing/distribution and hardware production. I would like to release the phones for under $100 if possible. We are asking for a slightly larger up front cost for free service forever. It may also be possible to develop a business model around services, such as software and hardware support, or through connectivity and convenience services, such as bots which provide (for example) weather or traffic updates (obviously we would find more exclusive content than those two examples, though). Another way to think about this is to look at PCs. The PC industry (particularly hardware-only providers such as Dell and HP) make their money off of providing a 'platform' on which other innovation can occur. They charge only a single fee (the initial cost of the computer), and hope to make money off of accessories and repeat buys. I can see a very similar model in play with this device. To reiterate: for me, personally, this is not about making money. This is about developing a device which helps people communicate better and for free, and even if my personal hardware device does not take off, I will hopefully provide an environment in this space which utilizes open protocols and open, commodity hardware technology.
CompetitionSkype WiFi Phone Prototype
ResourcesWiFi Finder
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