The closed and proprietary nature of modern smartphones hasn't stopped enthusiasts. Despite the limits imposed by manufacturers, we've seen several projects emerge that modify and expand the natural behavior of these devices. On the hardware side, the story is even more complicated, though there's always room for initiatives like RePhone, a completely modular and open-design phone that we can assemble as we please.
The Case for a Cheap ARM Platform
Last week I came across a very striking article: If you're looking for an ARM development platform, in some regions of the globe the best option is to buy a prepaid Android smartphone directly. The specialized press always tries to focus on the latest models, but there are prepaid dual-core units with 1GB of RAM that are already selling for pennies. With a firmware change and extra modifications, that smartphone becomes a far more powerful tool than a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino module. Still, for a growing group of users, this is not enough. They want direct control over the hardware, to choose components, change configurations, and experiment. Conventional smartphones fall far short in these aspects (and Project Ara is conspicuously absent), but the DIY world never disappoints us.
Introducing RePhone
Let's make a little room for the project RePhone, which aims to market a completely modular and open source mobile phone. It all starts with its central GSM module, which also supports Bluetooth Low Energy, and from there, the user's imagination is the limit. Touchscreen, GPS unit, audio, sensors, NFC, and camera are some of the available components; however, the most surprising thing about RePhone is that it doesn't need to adopt the form of a traditional phone. In other words, you can install the GSM module wherever you can think of, including robots, drones, dog collars, kites, clothing, and much more. When it comes to programming, JavaScript and Lua are at the top of the list, and we also find compatibility with IFTTT logic.
Funding and Pricing
RePhone appeared on Kickstarter a few days ago and already surpassed the original goal of $50,000 set by its creators. The costs of RePhone are very varied. Those who need only the GSM module will have to pay $12, and if they want the 3G version, the price is $29. The complete kit to build a mobile phone from scratch costs $45, and for another $60 you get all additional modules, with their cables and a battery. The first deliveries will take place between October and January 2016.
