With data integration in mobile handsets, it’s no wonder home telephones haven’t been able to keep up. But what happens when you’re using a service like Verizon’s FiOS and all of a sudden that boring handset has broadband data piped right into it? One example could be OpenFrame – a new home phone envisioned by John Sculley, former Apple CEO – that maybe-a-little resembles Apple’s iPhone. The various devices are built on Freescale MX31 processors “with two 600-MHz ARM11 chips doing the heavy lifting” for features like streaming video, music, web surfing, and more. According to the manufacturer’s chief executive, the heavily subsidized phones could be shipping out in four or five months straight from the carriers (no retail presence here). Though the phone was built specifically for services like FiOS, they’re not yet saying if it’s coming to FiOS.

It’s got wi-fi, GPS, exchange support, a ton of free and mostly free software (that isn’t pwned by Steve Jobs), a 2 megapixel camera, and a touchscreen to boot. And when you didn’t think things could get sweeter – it also (legally) supports tethering/DUN- take that, iPhone!  It’s going for a pricey, but worth it, $550.

Maintaining the overall look and feel of the developers’ Neo 1973, the Neo FreeRunner features hardware improvements such as 2D/3D graphics and a faster 500MHz processor that boosts performance to enable video and audio processing, as well as a new generation of mobile applications emerging from the open source community. Designed for worldwide use, FreeRunner will come in two versions: a 850MHz tri- band and a 900Mhz tri-band. Neo FreeRunner will also integrate WiFi (802.11 b/g) for online access anywhere, and will include motion sensors that will cue functions based on detected user activity.

“FreeRunner ’s a significantly improved device from the Neo 1973. Our developers gave us great feedback as they explored the first version of the device,” said Steven Mosher, VP marketing, Openmoko. “We added WiFi, motion sensors, faster processing, and improved graphics, creating a compelling mass market device for open source development. The open source community was key in achieving that goal. Without them this remix of the Neo would not have been possible”

Most mobile phones don’t have optical zoom for a couple reasons. First, they take up a lot of space, and second, good optics can be expensive.

If you’re willing to give up one of the inconvieniences (the size), you can get this inexpensive zoom lens from Brando for the inexpensive price of $19USD from Brando in Hong Kong.

At that price, it probably won’t have the greatest optics, but that’s okay, since the iPhone’s camera isn’t even close to “high quality photographic equipment” either.