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MIT's DIY wooden cell phone (photos)

MIT's Media Lab set out to use open-source design and readily available materials to make a cell phone that easy to customize. The result is somehow appealing to all aesthetics.

Eric Mack
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Eric Mack
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Original prototype

The High-Low Tech group at MIT's Media Lab set out to turn the cell phone into an object that's easy to customize and personalize without breaking the bank. They created their prototype with an SM5100B GSM Module that takes a standard SIM card and a custom circuit board. Here, the original prototype before being shrunk down to fit on a customized circuit board.
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Test call

Making the first call with the prototype -- "Watson come here, I... Whoa! Were you standing back there the whole time?" It's no smartphone, but voice, texting, and other slightly old-school functionality is possible.
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Naked prototype

The naked prototype is a retro-tinkerer's dream. "Freed from the constraints of mass production, we plan to explore diverse materials, shapes, and functions," the project page reads. "We hope that the project will help us explore and expand the limits of do-it-yourself (DIY) practice."
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Wood case

Futuristic lasers were used to cut the old-school plywood and veneer enclosure.
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Case interior

The inside of the wooden case, including burn marks.
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Circuit board back

The back of the circuit board.
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Assembled phone

The fully assembled prototype complete with "Miami Vice" antenna. All told, parts for the phone cost between $100 and $150.
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Project evolution

The evolution of an awesome DIY project.

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