Circuitmess’s fully funded Makerphone kickstarter is raising money to produce open source hardware smartphone kits to teach kids (and grownups) everything from soldering to programming.
The Makerphone is a pretty sweet-looking gadget, and it comes ready to be programmed with Scratch and python, providing a good progression from a fully graphic programming environment to a command-line language that’s still beginner-friendly.
$94 gets you a kit and the tools to assemble it; $99 gets you an assembled phone. The project’s runners have previously delivered on kickstarted open source hardware kits, which bodes well for getting something for your money.
We’ve learned A LOT from manufacturing and shipping over 6000 MAKERbuino kits in the past year and here’s a short list of most notable changes and improvements that we’ve implemented in MAKERphone:*
A color screen*
Better microcontroller with our custom software*
Python programming language compatibility*
Scratch programming language compatibility*
Dedicated DAC and electronic volume controller for sound regulation and mp3 playback*
8 individually programmable RGB LEDs for a lightshow in your palms*
Better PCB architecture for easier soldering*
New prettier box with a black touchy cut-out sponge (IMPORTANT!)*
The thing can now make calls, has a SIM card, and built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth*
RTC (real time clock) – MAKERphone now keeps time and wakes you up!
Makerphone [Circuitmess/Kickstarter]