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.
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.
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.
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."
Wood case
Futuristic lasers were used to cut the old-school plywood and veneer enclosure.
Case interior
The inside of the wooden case, including burn marks.
Circuit board back
The back of the circuit board.
Assembled phone
The fully assembled prototype complete with "Miami Vice" antenna. All told, parts for the phone cost between $100 and $150.
Project evolution
The evolution of an awesome DIY project.
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