In one of the comments for the post, Nokia uploaded files for the manufacture of its own cases on a 3D printer , the OpenMoko project was mentioned. OpenMoko is an open source platform and hardware specifications for phones. The project has existed since 2007 and in 2012, having not received commercial success, it was finally declared closed. As it turned out, his situation is somewhat more optimistic. I ask for details under cat.

A few years earlier

In 2007, FIC, a motherboard company, released the NEO1973 mobile Linux machine with phone features on the Open Moko platform. The system was completely open with the exception of GSM / GPRS components and AGPS, and as a result, with the machine you could do anything you like: compile the kernel, write your programs, install anything, there was an API for the proprietary components, so you can also use them It was played.

In 2008, the updated Neo FreeRunner model with faster iron was released.

In 2009, it became known about the cessation of work on this project .

In 2012, it was decided to distribute VID / PID pairs to everyone who asks . And on this, it would seem, the history of the project ended ...

Our days

Having visited the OpenMoko website, I found that the project is still alive and there are periodic updates in the news. The latest news is dated January 17, 2013.

The project is developing both hardware and software.

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

The
technical 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 being conducted with the case, namely, work is underway to design a hard keyboard for this device. There is a demo video where they demonstrate the prototype of the future keyboard:

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

What pleases, there is an opportunity to collect not only a 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 very vigorously there.

The cases are obtained by 3D printing, so you can adjust the case model to your needs.

The software part is based on full-fledged Debian and develops in the form of two branches, one of which QtMoko, as the name implies, is based on Qt (current version on Qt 4.8) and SHR based on EFL. Both branches are constantly updated (the latest builds are dated the last of December 2012).

Summary

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

But unfortunately there was a fly in the ointment. Since the project is developing enthusiastically and not put into line production, the components are expensive. So the GTA04A5 motherboard (current current version) costs 550 euros, plus the screen / battery / case and so on 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 whether to have fun playing with a high-tech designer or watch movies on an apple gadget.

UPD Here are some interesting projects as examples of hardware customization of this device:
1) Gamepad:

2) Wooden case: