Mobile Technology

MakerPhone comes as a kit you assemble and code to create a working mobile phone

MakerPhone comes as a kit you assemble and code to create a working mobile phone
As its name suggests, the MakerPhone is an educational electronics kit that you build into a working mobile phone
As its name suggests, the MakerPhone is an educational electronics kit that you build into a working mobile phone
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As its name suggests, the MakerPhone is an educational electronics kit that you build into a working mobile phone
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As its name suggests, the MakerPhone is an educational electronics kit that you build into a working mobile phone
The MakerPhone includes a DAC and amp circuit to enable it to play music
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The MakerPhone includes a DAC and amp circuit to enable it to play music
The Makerphone has a bit of a barebones feel to it, but once assembled and coded should work just like any mobile phone
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The Makerphone has a bit of a barebones feel to it, but once assembled and coded should work just like any mobile phone
Tinkerers will get a box of parts and access to online tutorials to help them build and code the MakerPhone
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Tinkerers will get a box of parts and access to online tutorials to help them build and code the MakerPhone
A finished MakerPhone doesn't necessarily signal the end of the build project, as tinkerers can experiment with the hardware, learn more code, customize the UI, build custom games and apps and more
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A finished MakerPhone doesn't necessarily signal the end of the build project, as tinkerers can experiment with the hardware, learn more code, customize the UI, build custom games and apps and more
The MakerPhone parts list includes a color LCD display, main circuit board, sound module, GSM module and microcomputer module
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The MakerPhone parts list includes a color LCD display, main circuit board, sound module, GSM module and microcomputer module
As well as a physical numeric keypad out front, the MakerPhone has a 4-way mechanical joystick and multi-purpose addressable buttons
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As well as a physical numeric keypad out front, the MakerPhone has a 4-way mechanical joystick and multi-purpose addressable buttons
Although build time will vary according to skill levels, CircuitMess estimates that the hardware should come together in around seven hours
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Although build time will vary according to skill levels, CircuitMess estimates that the hardware should come together in around seven hours
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Many of us carry a smartphone, but few of us know how it works. Croatian tech startup CircuitMess wants to change that with the MakerPhone, a build-it-yourself mobile phone aimed at makers 11 years of age and up. It won't have the likes of Samsung, Google or Apple worried for their profit margins, but looks like a fun way to learn about electronics and coding.

CircuitMess already has a successful Kickstarter under its belt with the Makerbuino game console, so naturally the popular crowdfunding platform was selected to launch its MakerPhone.

Tinkerers will get a box of parts and access to online tutorials to walk them through the assembly of components and the creation of games and apps using Scratch, MicroPython and Arduino IDE (which is based on C/C++). Along the way, CircuitMess says that makers will learn electronics basics, how to solder, get coding and learn more about what makes a mobile phone tick.

The parts list includes a 1.8-inch, 128 x 160 resolution color LCD display, main circuit board, sound module with dedicated 10-bit DAC and electronic volume controller, RGB LEDs, laser-cut acrylic housing, GSM module, microcomputer with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and 4 MB of built-in flash memory.

The kit comes supplied with a 128 MB SD card containing some apps, tools and games to get started, and a 600 mAh Li-Pol battery. Makers will need to supply their own microSIM card. And as well as a physical numeric keypad out front, there's a 4-way mechanical joystick and multi-purpose addressable buttons.

Although build time will vary according to skill levels, CircuitMess estimates that the hardware should come together in around seven hours
Although build time will vary according to skill levels, CircuitMess estimates that the hardware should come together in around seven hours

Although build time will vary according to skill levels, CircuitMess estimates that the hardware should come together in around seven hours – tools like a soldering iron, pliers and a screwdriver will be needed – and, once the coding's done, the MakerPhone becomes a fully functional mobile phone. That means you'll be able to make calls, send texts, play basic games like Snake or Pong, listen to music (you can even use an MP3 as your ringtone), go online and so on.

And the fun doesn't have to stop when a barebones mobile phone is ready for action, makers can experiment further with the hardware, learn more code, customize the UI, build custom games and apps and more.

The project's Kickstarter campaign has already met its modest funding goal of US$15,000, with about six weeks left on the clock. Pledges start at $89, but if you want CircuitMess to supply you with the tools necessary to build the MakerPhone, you'll need to plump for the $119 pledge level. If all goes to plan, shipping is estimated to start in March 2019. The video below has more.

Sources: CircuitMess, Kickstarter

MAKERphone - an educational DIY mobile phone

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