Why should the users of cell phones be forced to rely on their service provider to get added features, ring tones, and make other changes to their phones? I don’t think they should. Currently, the cell phone companies pretty much have consumers “over a barrel” so to speak when it comes to these add-ons for their cell phones. This problem has been further amplified by the new iPhone which is a PDA, Ipod, and cell phone all in one. Yet, with all this ability, users are not supposed to be able to add their own software.

This problem has been noticed and addressed. A company named openmoko has revealed plans to release a phone that will be similar to an iPhone except that it will be completely open source. With this phone, users are encouraged to write new programs and figure out new innovative ways to use this device. Another benefit of this “phone” is that it will not be locked down to only one network. Many of the higher end phones are sold exclusively on one particular network. While exclusivity may be good for the network, it does not do much to meet the desires of the consumers.

Checking out openmoko and the phone that they will be offering might be worthwhile, but will the cost be too prohibitive for most people? The initial offering price is rumored to be around $450. This is considerably less than the iPhone, but considerably more than the other similar phones that are available for next to nothing with a two-year contract.