The OpenMoko website has now started taking orders for the Neo1973 open source mobile phone, a phone running an completely open source, Linux-based platform that will be available to consumers in the very near future.

Although anyone can order the Neo1973 they are targeting the open source developer community to use the device to make mobile applications for it. OpenMoko will start targeting the general public with the phone sometime in September. For both the developers and consumers, the Neo1973 will come with some upgraded hardware compared to the original specs including a bigger 400MHz Samsung processor, 256MB of internal memory, WiFi and graphics accelerators.

There are two different packages available now aimed at the developers on the OpenMoko website. The Neo Base developer preview package comes with a battery, stylus, charger, pouch, lanyard, headset, …

The Neo1973 from FIC is the first mobile phone available to consumers which will run on the open-source Linux based OpenMoko software platform. This new platform means that for the first time anyone, not just the manufacturer and service provider, can control what the phone does and how it interacts with the hardware for its interface, microphone and screen.

The idea is that any Joe-Programmer will be able to write a unique application to run on the OpenMoko platform and then make it available for any users to download onto their own Neo1973 or any other device in the future that runs on OpenMoko through an easy-to-use interface.

The FIC Neo1973 can connect to a PC via USB which also charges the device, and the device supports Quad-band, GSM/GPRS and Bluetooth. A SIM card from AT&T or T-Mobile will get you mobile service and $350 will …