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$50 open source Raspberry Pi Zero smartphone

48 points| onion2k | 3 years ago |crowdsupply.com

15 comments

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[+] smileybarry|3 years ago|reply
> 2G GSM connectivity (3G coming soon)

2G was fully phased out here (Israel) and 3G is going the same way soon, so even as a random cell-connected RPi this wouldn't be usable.

I'm guessing they're using some sort of HAT as the cell modem, what's the cost difference between GSM/UMTS (2G/3G) and HSPA/LTE ("3.5G"/4G) to make this work for longer than <deprecation period>?

[+] Saris|3 years ago|reply
With 2g/3g I'm not sure how useful it will be, as that tech doesn't really exist much anymore.
[+] csdreamer7|3 years ago|reply
Just got a notice here in the US that Verizon is shutting down it's 3g network at the end of the year.
[+] dimensionc132|3 years ago|reply
PiTalk is a modular system for turning a Raspberry Pi into a smartphone. The base of the design is the PiTalk shield, which contains breakouts for components like the LCD display and camera. The shield uses the standard 40-pin Raspberry Pi header, and it works with most models (A+, 2, 3, Zero, and Zero W).

https://www.hackster.io/news/build-a-raspberry-pi-based-modu...

[+] matthew1471|3 years ago|reply
I think the project is novel and cute.. but in terms of usage given most mobiles these days are used to access content rather than make calls I am not sure of the longterm suitability for most use cases. There’s a lot of “Well just plug it in to something to get even more things” but I am sure having to plug your mobile into a monitor or TV to read your e-mails is going to get boring relatively fast.

Also as already stated most network operators (at least UK ones at least) have a planned death date for 3G, some have already been shutting it down.

When I saw this I immediately thought of the Nokia 3210 reboot (fun and useful for those that want a dumb-ish phone just for calls and/or texts). That said I suspect the phone could be fairly good fun for sending SMS via a PC or making apps that interact via SMS.

[+] cheaprentalyeti|3 years ago|reply
1. I wish there were more details on the page about the project's time frame.

2. I imagine if it were done more recently they'd use the Pi Zero W 2.

3. It would be nicer if I knew where to actually get Pi Zero W 2's.

[+] Normille|3 years ago|reply
Doesn't actually exist.

Coming soon from Normille.com A unicorn that shits gold bars. Pledge money here!

[+] suprjami|3 years ago|reply
Practical usage zero, but this looks about the size of a Nokia 5110 from 1998.

So hobby is ~24 years behind manufacturing.

How long until it's possible to make an open source attractive practical touchscreen phone from bits? Not another 24 years, that's for sure.

[+] krnlpnc|3 years ago|reply
Looks like a thick pocket operator. Hopefully they do get made and have some revisions, would be a cool option with some more modern features