[Community] New cell phone design wanted?

[H. Nikolaus Schaller]

Hi James,

Am 03.01.2016 um 03:57 schrieb James <wireless at tampabay.rr.com>:

> Hello,
> 
> I've designed all sorts of hardware and firmware over the decades. I have
> always wanted to design a cell phone that can support multiple different
> open source software stacks.

Welcome to this community and happy new year! This is the right place to discuss.

> I'd like to hear what features and the resources
> folks would like to see in a new cell phone where all the hardware is
> disclosed so open source codes, from a variety of places, can be completed
> and supported by the open source communities.

Well, just making hardware and expecting that the open software community
develops and maintains software does not work. FLOSS developers are specialists
in their topics and need a certain level of perfection in areas they are not specialized
in (e.g. device drivers, power management, kernel in general).

> 
> 
> So what is your desired feature list? (processor, ram, flash, peripherals?)

I think, anything better than http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-main/page/FeatureList/
is certainly welcome. Mainly people ask for LTE, dual core processor, bigger sunlight
readable display and WLAN without closed firmware. And more standby time.

And a 100% perfect kernel they can rely on.

The exact level is difficult to grasp and certainly limited by availability of components
and BOM cost.

The GTA04.org device fulfills all of your ideas of documentation and multiple open
software stacks http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-main/page/Software/#wikititle_2

The key problem is that the GTA04 is not a complete device, lacking a decent
and modern plastics case that can be produced on demand...

> 
> 
> I can build them in small batches and keep the prices down

with several years of really building and shipping GTA04 devices we see
"small batches" and "keeping price down" as a contradiction in itself.

So I am very interested how you want to overcome this paradox.

> , but I'll not be
> providing pcb layout details, but only the details to write/port code to the
> devices.

same is done with GTA04: http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-main/downloads/47/

so you can take it as a blueprint.

> I am taking this approach to cover the cost of a few consultants I
> need to add advanced feature like integrated Ham radio, and other Rf
> features not found in standard phones......

That looks very interesting. Can you please share more information?

> 
> 
> hit me with your thoughts and ideas,

BR,
NIkolaus