In one of the comments to the Nokia post, I posted the files for making my own cases on a 3D printer , the OpenMoko project was mentioned. OpenMoko is an open source platform with hardware specifications for phones. The project has existed since 2007 and in 2012, without commercial success, it was declared closed finally. As it turned out, his situation is somewhat more optimistic. For details, I ask under the cat.

A few years earlier

In 2007, the company FIC, engaged in the production of motherboards, released a mobile Linux- NEO1973 machine with phone functions on the platform Open Moko. The system was completely open with the exception of GSM / GPRS-components and AGPS, and as a result, you could do whatever you wanted with the machine: compile the kernel, write your programs, install anything, the proprietary components had an API, so you can was playable.

In 2008, the updated Neo FreeRunner model with a more nimble iron was released.
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In 2009, it became aware of the termination of work on this project .

In 2012, it was decided to distribute pairs of VID / PID to all who ask . And this seemed to be the end of the project history ...

Our days

Having visited the OpenMoko website, I found that the project still lives and updates occur periodically in the news. The latest news is dated January 17, 2013.

The project is developing both hard and soft.

At the moment, the motherboard GTA04 is released (the last board released under the leadership of the FIC was GTA02, and the GTA03 never saw the light) which is compatible with the NEO 1973 and Neo Freerunner hardware.

The performance characteristics of this board are as follows:
1) Processor: ARM Cortex A8 1000Mhz
2) RAM: 512Mb
2) USB 2.0
3) Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Barometer, Compass
4) UMTS 3.75G (14.4 Mbit / s)
4) optional: camera, GPS

In addition to the new motherboard, experiments are underway with the case, namely, work is underway to design a hardware keyboard for this device. There is a demo video showing the prototype of the future keyboard:

The truth of the video is not very clear how this keyboard will look like in the end.

What pleases, the opportunity to collect not only the phone, but also a tablet based on GTA04. There is a video demonstrating the assembly and launch of a 7 inch tablet based on it:

Judging by the video, only the final design of the device remains in question, the OS is already loaded there very cheerfully.

Cases are obtained by 3D printing, so you can adjust the model of the case to fit your needs.

The software part is based on a fully-fledged Debian and is developed in the form of two branches, one of which is QtMoko, as the name implies, based on Qt (the current version on Qt 4.8) and SHR based on EFL. Both branches are constantly updated (the latest build dates from the last days of December 2012).

Results

The project, as it turned out, was not only not dead, but was of considerable interest for those who like to tinker with finishing their gadget to the “dream device” state. Moreover, for lovers of a full-fledged OS in his pocket, it opens up new horizons in terms of complete customization of the device for themselves, including the hardware.

But unfortunately it was not without a fly in the ointment. As the project develops on enthusiasm and is not put on line production, the components are expensive. So the GTA04A5 motherboard (the current actual version) costs 550 euros, plus the screen / battery / case and etc. will pull another 150-200 euros, so we get a price comparable to the top iPad, which is quite expensive. But here everyone chooses for himself, having fun playing with a high-tech designer or watching movies on an apple gadget.

UPD As examples of hardware customization of this device, here are some interesting projects:
1) Gamepad:

2) Wooden case: