Raspberry Pi is not the only mini PC on the market, but he was the one who revolutionized that niche. And it did it again with the launch of the Raspberry Pi Zero.
The product gave rise to all kinds of interesting projects, which can generally be done by most people, without needing to understand much about electronics.
Undoubtedly, in combination with other plates, it is possible to create what is within your imaginationNow imagine the Raspberry Pi Zero combined with Arduino and you have a whole universe of possibilities.
Even to make a smartphone. Yes, a smartphone. And someone already had that idea.
A resourceful hobbyist has built a mobile phone out of the Raspberry Pi Zero minicomputer and some other electronic components. The software and build plans are open source, and a crowdfunding campaign will be launched soon.
An advantage of the phone christened ZeroPhone is its openness: anyone can change the software according to their needs.
The basis is a Rapsberry Pi Zero running Linux, as well as an ESP8266 and an Arduino.
The finished smartphone it has almost the same characteristics as the mobile phones of these times, although with some different things, among them the size.
But also with this project this smartphone adds a lot more besides a keyboard and a small screen.
The latter consists of a 1.3-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 128 x 64 pixels. ZeroPhone currently only supports communication over 2G, but must follow 3G support.
All the necessary parts together should cost just US $ 50.
ZeroPhone stands out for being a smartphone that contains a Raspberry Pi Zero, an ESP8266 board and an Arduino inside.
This cell phone does not have operator locks, bloated apps or data mining, and it doesn't depend on big companies.
Instead, its open source hardware and software offer as much control as possible on your phone.
ZeroPhone is easy to use and will have typical phone features, but will offer advanced features when you need them.
You can easily modify and repair it on your own, as well as being efficient for advanced users and programmers.
It is also built from widely available components, so you can create a ZeroPhone independently, if necessary.
Basically the characteristics and specifications that make up this project we can find the following:
- Based on the Raspberry Pi Zero, ESP8266 and Arduino
- Has Wi-Fi, HDMI, full-size USB, and a 3,5mm input (Bluetooth as an option)
- 2G GSM connectivity (3G soon)
- 128 x 64 inch OLED display
- GSM / Wi-Fi / microphone hardware switching option
- RGB LED and vibromotor
- ports
- IR receiver / transmitter
- Additional displays and buttons
- 5 MP / 8 MP camera
- Extended batteries
- Various sensors, analog and digital
- Wireless radios for IoT
- GPS, Ethernet and MicroSD expansion
ZeroPhone it is perfect for development because it runs Linux and offers root access, uses SSH and it is possible to connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse to use it as a desktop.
you guys can use APIs to control the behavior of their ZeroPhone, and with it, create the phone of your dreams.
You can find detailed information about the project, as well as links to the plate designs at the following link.
The crowdfunding site is also set to launch a crowdfunding campaign shortly. Supporters should be able to order all the parts for assembly, as well as the finished ZeroPhones.
It is undoubtedly an excellent project with which it can be taken to schools and courses for people of all ages interested in knowing, understanding or carrying out projects of this type.
Although many will say that you can buy a phone of these characteristics for the same cost and even less, but with a better presentation, they may be right, but these are already manufactured in bulk.
And this project is an excellent proposal to be able to have your own device manufactured by you.