Openmoko is a brand that produces open-source mobile phones. The spelling of the word "Openmoko" is based on two parts - "open" and "moko." The "open" part reflects the company's philosophy of open-source software and hardware, while "moko" is a derivation of the Maori word "moko," meaning tattoo. The phonetic transcription of "Openmoko" is /ˈoʊpən moʊkoʊ/. The stress is on the first syllable, represented by a short "o" sound. The second syllable has a long "o" sound followed by a short "o."
Openmoko refers to a line of open-source mobile devices and related software that aim to provide an open and customizable experience to its users. The term specifically refers to the first open-source mobile phone platform released by Openmoko Inc. in 2007.
In its most basic sense, Openmoko is a concept that promotes openness, transparency, and collaboration in the mobile technology industry. It encourages users to have complete access and control over their devices, allowing them to modify and personalize the software and hardware according to their preferences. Openmoko devices typically utilize the Linux operating system, predominantly using the OpenEmbedded build framework and the X Window System for delivering the graphical user interface.
Openmoko smartphones embody the ideology of open-source software and hardware, enabling developers and tinkerers to modify, enhance, and experiment with the features and functionalities of their mobile devices. They provide a development platform that encourages the creation of innovative applications and services.
The primary goal of Openmoko is to foster innovation and user empowerment in the mobile space, emphasizing the idea of the phone as a customizable and extensible tool. By sharing the underlying source code, Openmoko enables users to actively participate in shaping the technology they use daily, creating a collaborative ecosystem that drives progress and invention.
The word "Openmoko" is a combination of two terms: "open" and "moko".
"Open" refers to the concept of open-source software and open development, where the source code is freely available for modification and distribution.
"Moko" is derived from the Maori term "moko" or "moko mokai", traditionally used to describe the facial tattoos worn by the Maori people of New Zealand. The tattoos carried significant cultural and personal meanings and were seen as a form of identity and art.
The term "Openmoko" was chosen to symbolize the open nature of the project and the device it produced. It aimed to represent the fusion of open-source software principles with the identity and individuality associated with facial tattoos, emphasizing the idea of personalization and freedom in using the device.