> Will Ubuntu Edge commit to using only free software? If the project succeeds and has $32 million available to spend, this is surely possible, but there is no indication in any of the promotional materials that this is part of the plan.

I think John Sullivan is grossly underestimating how much it costs to develop a phone, let alone one that is totally open. Convincing companies to completely open source their drivers requires tons of effort, and there has to be a benefit to the vendor beyond just what you believe to be "right". In some cases that benefit is money, or purchases ("we'll only use your product if..."), but I don't think this fundraiser has near enough leverage via either of those means to both build a high quality device and manage to make it totally free.