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A number of manufacturers produce modular components suitable for embedded systems. Some of these components are suitable for a hobbyist to put together a modular phone. This page is intended as a starting-point for building an OpenMoko compatible phone.

The major problem with this approach is that the resultant phone tends to be larger than a normal phone.

This is because though they may be designed to be compact, internal connectors add lots of volume compared to a PCB, where everything can be in one unit.

Component Suppliers

Possible configuration 1

  • Gumstix verdex (600MHz Intel Xscale PXA270, 128MB RAM, 64MB flash) - $170USD
  • Goliath-GPS-vx GSM/GPRS/EDGE/LCD touchscreen/audio/3D accelerometer module/sound - $100-200
  • microSD breakout board [1] - $15USD
  • 480 x 272px LCD [2] - $70USD
  • Battery, holder, charger circuitry - $20USD
  • Case - $40USD.
  • Speakers, mic - $10USD
  • Buttons - $5USD
  • USB WiFi dongle (also, forthcoming gumstix modules will add wifi to the verdex mobo range) - $20
  • Amplifier for speakers (unless not required on Goliath module) - $5
Component Provides Link Cost (USD) Weight (g)
Gumstix Verdex XL6P Processor, motherboard, RAM, 64MB flash gumstix.com 169
./doc/developer Developer Documentation
./doc/user User Documentation
_
./applications Applications using the OpenMoko Framework that are launched through the main menu.
Every entry corresponds to one executable entity.
./applications/openmoko-rssreader Rss Reader


The prices for the Goliath daughter cards are realeased on monday 16th July 2007, and should be around $100USD, giving a total of around $455+, which compares with the Neo1973 at $450.

Prices will be reduced, if we as the OpenMoko community buy in bulk.

Capabilities wise, this compares well with the Neo - there is no accelerated graphics or touchscreen and the screen resolution is smaller, but it does have EDGE and a faster processor. Otherwise specs are similar.

From Sketchup models supplied by Gumstix, the size will be around 120 x 67 x 17mm. This is the smallest cuboid into which the components will fit. The case will add approx. 2mm to this - battery, screen, microSD and other components should fit into voids between the main circuit boards.

Weight information will be included here as soon as the specs are released by Gumstix.

Where relevant, all components listed here have Linux kernel modules supplied by their manufacturer.

Other resources

Home Brew Mobile Phone Club have a site devoted to build-it-yourself mobile phones, based upon Gumstix motherboards. They have schematics, case designs and details of suitable components from many sources.