OpenMoko launched its highly anticipated FreeRunner smartphone, a Linux-based handset that’s completely open in both hardware and software, and is designed to encourage third-party modification and customization. Although the FreeRunner’s software platform is still incomplete, the device has attracted considerable attention from mobile software developers and Linux enthusiasts.

The FreeRunner handset is obviously a powerful tool for prototyping mobile software, but it isn’t clear yet whether it’s also ready for adoption as a personal smartphone. We won’t have a conclusive answer until we get a handset to test, but we decided to take an early look at the OpenMoko software platform to get a glimpse of what it offers at launch.

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MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said its mobile phone subscriber base has reached more than 32 million, combining Smart and Talk N’ Text subscribers.

Smart ended the first quarter with 20.6 million subscribers while Talk N’ Text had 11 million subscribers at the end of the same period. Smart and Talk N’ Text added 280,000 and 1.25 million subscribers, respectively, during the first quarter.

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Hundreds of Cubans lined up at state-owned telephone offices Monday to buy cellular phone services previously available only to government officials and foreigners.

President Raul Castro, who took power in February, has moved quickly to ease restrictions in the communist country and the new reform allows Cubans to buy cellular phones for the first time or register those they had held illegally.

“It is an advance, like other things that are happening in Cuba now,” said Alejandro, smiling with his new contract in hand. The self-employed Cuban has used a cellular telephone illegally for years in the name of a foreigner.

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This is a first step I think, lifting of other restrictions will follow.

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Nokia is investigating why a New Zealand man’s phone blew up while it was being recharged.

According to national broadcaster One News, Auckland resident Norman Sievewright’s handset exploded during Wednesday night. It was by his bedside at the time, and the detonation caused him a “huge fright”.

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This is scary, good thing I have my Nokia battery replaced a month ago.

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source: the register

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