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Home brew phone — Parallax Forums

Home brew phone

Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
edited 2013-11-30 11:51 in General Discussion
http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/28/5154536/how-to-build-your-own-cellphone-mit-media-lab-david-mellis


I just saw the ardino GSM sheald at Rad sack for 19 bucks ,,,,,,,, perhaps I should get it !

I have winter off and I need a project .....

Comments

  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-11-28 16:17
    If you build one you could call it the myPhone.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-11-28 17:14
    I wooden mind having one of those... You've kindled my interest but the Arduino goes against the grain. You might have to start a splinter faction for support in this forum.
  • RS_JimRS_Jim Posts: 1,766
    edited 2013-11-29 04:35
    So get the prop ASC!
    Jim
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2013-11-29 05:09
    I used the sim 900 module with prop for sending and receiving SMS. Insanely simple, but tt is more expensive than 19 bucks...
    A module able to simply call, send SMS and store names is well within prop reach.
    Maybe a forum project?
    If we set a common standard we could be able to do it in a collaborative way.
    The processor is the prop (sorry erco, but BS is not a viable solution.. maybe an opportunity to jump the fence?)
    Lithium battery (the voltage is simply perfect, just grab a protected one to simplify the design) and max 1555 or similar.
    For the buttons the function is the same, so until we get to a PCB design everything works.
    An SD card? Maybe optional?
    The nokia display has a working object in the obex.... but anything would work as long as we find 1 or at maximum 2 options.
    The most critical aspect is the GSM module... using AT commands the interface is relatively standard, but a common module, not too pricey and with a reasonable expected life would be a nice option. Tubular made some magic adapting a telit SMT module with a TH PCB...
    The antenna is to be decided before a final PCB design.

    TH or SMD?

    Any takers?

    Massimo
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-11-29 05:12
    Start making your own shoe laces and knitting your own socks as well. You need to have the right 'look' when you pull out your homemade phone or people won't understand. Maybe replace all zippers with safety pins just to make a complete fashion statement.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2013-11-29 05:53
    I partly agree. The only advantage would be the geek aspect.
    A similar phone is around 25$, much less than the GSM module alone.
    If you want to show it around or do it for the sheer satisfaction is up to you.
    For instance a 3D printed case would work for me. I'm sure someone else would prefer plywood..

    Massimo
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2013-11-29 07:58
    The real reason Is I want to make my phone totaly idiot proof .. so let it charge from 2V to 30 V ........ off a DC plug to USB to anderson power pole ..... I want it waterproof . and darnit I want to have it like a true flip phone .

    Granted I just blew 550 USD at Frys a hour ago ( I spent 7 Hours in line ) .so no budget ....... * see my BLOG here on the forum to see what I got* .
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-11-29 08:04
    Flip phone? why didn't you mention so earlier. I have an old Samsung flip phone as a covered display and a covered keyboard really make sense when you put a cell phone in your pocket or bag of junk.

    I don't think I can even get a replacement any longer. Everything in Taiwan is a touch pad smart phone. People seem to have forgotten functionality and gone over to gizmo-ality... propably forced to by the gods of marketing that want us to migrate to higher month service provider fees.

    For me, cars and phones are just expenses... nothing more. Sorry to hear that Frys fried your wallet. I try to avoid going into such slippery places. I feel safer if I neve enter a department store or a consumer electronics store. If I must, I try to leave my credit cards and cash at home.
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2013-11-29 10:16
    Peter KG6LSE wrote: »
    The real reason Is I want to make my phone totaly idiot proof

    Not sure this came out quite right!:smile:

    When I first saw this project I thought this guy must have a lot of disposable income. $200 for a barely useful cell phone seems like a lot to me. OTOH, I might be interested if I could get a case that looked *exactly* like a TOS Star Trek communicator. The little rotating disc in the center with the moire effect is a must.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2013-11-29 10:47
    ...interesting - if for no other reason than being different.
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2013-11-29 10:48
    erco wrote: »
    I wooden mind having one of those... You've kindled my interest but the Arduino goes against the grain. You might have to start a splinter faction for support in this forum.

    Erco - this did not go unnoticed!!!

    :thumb:
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-11-29 13:04
    davejames wrote: »
    Erco - this did not go unnoticed!!!

    :thumb:

    @DJ: Didn't you mean "Erco - this did knot go unnoticed!!! "

    In similar fashion, your nice seasonal signature did knot go unnoticed. The WKRP (turkeys thrown from a helicopter) and Cheers (food fight) Thanksgiving episodes were among the best shows EVER.
  • jonesjones Posts: 281
    edited 2013-11-29 13:12
    Perhaps one could mount it in a shoe for the original Smart phone.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-11-29 13:48
    @DJ: It's like the turkeys/geese formed a counterattack!

    http://news.yahoo.com/video/geese-tsunami-richmond-canada-130332213.html
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-11-30 11:03
    You could make one of those big early models that used about 8 D-cells for power. They seemed to be popular in Hong Kong gangster movies. Someone might think you are a retro triad Big Brother.
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2013-11-30 11:51
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    You could make one of those big early models that used about 8 D-cells for power. They seemed to be popular in Hong Kong gangster movies. Someone might think you are a retro triad Big Brother.

    HA! Ilke a 1991 BoomBox I remember those ! ....... 8 D cells and 2 tape decks .

    I want to make it take 4AAs or 14500's the holder is the same

    Oh I am really excited to make this once I have some time ........ I recon the prop would make a good basic phone CPU .

    Esp with its low power draw .
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