Since the OpenMoko Phones almost 10 Years back, yes DIY folks are serious about it. But I don't think that simply smashing a 3G Module on a RaspberryPi is the solution. I think a DIY phone should always also be a "Libre" phone. The inner workings of the part that connects to the phone network should also be in control of the developer. Otherwise (if I just use some 3G/LTE Module on my regular Arduino / RasPi / whatever) all I have done is to connect my fancy electronics to the network by using a "Phone without screen and withput buttons". If I do a DIY phone I would for sure want to be able to control what my phone transmits and when and to whom. I would not want to trust the promise of some black-box 3G module that it does not do surveillance on me.
Android is a great choice at the moment. Please my project Kite at https://hackaday.io/project/42944-kite-open-hardware-android-smartphone . Fix the framework to remove all the network access done. Best hardware options, working software. full control. That's what Kite can let you do.! What do you think ?
You make some good points. I've been watching new the Libre hardware offerings ( https://libre.computer/products/boards/ ), how viable is this platform? has anyone made a working phone from it?
@bosmith Thanks for your thoughts ! The "modern smartphone" part is exactly the problem Kite solves. Please checkout my project on hackaday! I am running a Kickstarter campaign for the same. This will be the world's first Open Hardware Android Smartphone - most of it is already available on hackaday -- the KS campaign is for the freeing up the board and the ecosystem of peripherals !
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Since the OpenMoko Phones almost 10 Years back, yes DIY folks are serious about it. But I don't think that simply smashing a 3G Module on a RaspberryPi is the solution. I think a DIY phone should always also be a "Libre" phone. The inner workings of the part that connects to the phone network should also be in control of the developer. Otherwise (if I just use some 3G/LTE Module on my regular Arduino / RasPi / whatever) all I have done is to connect my fancy electronics to the network by using a "Phone without screen and withput buttons". If I do a DIY phone I would for sure want to be able to control what my phone transmits and when and to whom. I would not want to trust the promise of some black-box 3G module that it does not do surveillance on me.
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@Burak Özhan
Android is a great choice at the moment. Please my project Kite at https://hackaday.io/project/42944-kite-open-hardware-android-smartphone . Fix the framework to remove all the network access done. Best hardware options, working software. full control. That's what Kite can let you do.! What do you think ?
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You make some good points. I've been watching new the Libre hardware offerings ( https://libre.computer/products/boards/ ), how viable is this platform? has anyone made a working phone from it?
I've also play around with Maemo ( https://wiki.maemo.org/ ) on a N800 ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_N800 and N900 ) a move in that direction, with access to a linux root terminal.
At least with a 3G module connected to a RasPi one can control what is, or is not sent to and from the cell module.
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Yes, of course! But what framework/board to use? Pi zero and Libre ( https://libre.computer/products/boards/roc-rk3328-cc/ ) have potential. The Pi has a 3G addon board/hat, not sure about libre. See: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/piphone-home-made-raspberry-pi-smartphone/ Producing something that looks and functions like a modern smart phone is an interesting challenge.
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@bosmith Thanks for your thoughts ! The "modern smartphone" part is exactly the problem Kite solves. Please checkout my project on hackaday! I am running a Kickstarter campaign for the same. This will be the world's first Open Hardware Android Smartphone - most of it is already available on hackaday -- the KS campaign is for the freeing up the board and the ecosystem of peripherals !
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maybe
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@mahdiramadhan what is your individual opinion ? Can you please look at my plea at https://hackaday.io/project/42944/log/145178-can-the-makers-hackers-show-up-at-the-party-please ? Thanks
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