Compulab releases DIY smartphone
October 19, 2007 // 9:36 a.m.
Gadgets like this are exactly the type of thing geeks like us love - functional, cool and complex. We're talking of course about the new DIY Smartphone kit from Compulab, a company which specialises in computer-on-modules.
The new do-it-yourself Smartphone kit from Compulab comes with everything that a budding modder or gadget-crafter will need to build themselves a EM-X270 Smartphone, except the screen which has to be bought separately for some reason.
Starting at around $122 in the US, the kit can be assembled to run an Intel Xscale CPU at up to 520MHz on either Linux or Windows. After that you have to start buying extras, which include WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, a camera and a VGA touchscreen:
"Available with an optional display, battery with charger and keypad, the EM-X270 offers a self-contained solution requiring just an enclosure for implementing the final custom product... The EM-X270 has several connectors and slots as used in PDA's and also an internal extension connector for application-specific add-on's. Ready-to-run Windows CE and Linux packages are available from CompuLab." Says the official site.
The only thing that the kit doesn't come with and which we'd reckon you need is a case - but that's hardly a challenge to the typical bit-tech modder and we're sure that many of you are already thinking of swanky little designs and shapes. The advantage of designing a case from scratch is of course that you can incorporate your own designs and engravings on to the shell.
This close to Christmas, the EM-X270 could be an ideal present for modders wanting a smaller project over the holiday season. If you do pick one up though then be sure to send us your pictures and feedback, dropping them all in the forums.
The new do-it-yourself Smartphone kit from Compulab comes with everything that a budding modder or gadget-crafter will need to build themselves a EM-X270 Smartphone, except the screen which has to be bought separately for some reason.
Starting at around $122 in the US, the kit can be assembled to run an Intel Xscale CPU at up to 520MHz on either Linux or Windows. After that you have to start buying extras, which include WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, a camera and a VGA touchscreen:
"Available with an optional display, battery with charger and keypad, the EM-X270 offers a self-contained solution requiring just an enclosure for implementing the final custom product... The EM-X270 has several connectors and slots as used in PDA's and also an internal extension connector for application-specific add-on's. Ready-to-run Windows CE and Linux packages are available from CompuLab." Says the official site.
The only thing that the kit doesn't come with and which we'd reckon you need is a case - but that's hardly a challenge to the typical bit-tech modder and we're sure that many of you are already thinking of swanky little designs and shapes. The advantage of designing a case from scratch is of course that you can incorporate your own designs and engravings on to the shell.
This close to Christmas, the EM-X270 could be an ideal present for modders wanting a smaller project over the holiday season. If you do pick one up though then be sure to send us your pictures and feedback, dropping them all in the forums.
RELATED ARTICLES
AMD embedded APUs at the heart.
Fujitsu announces a phone with similar technical capabilities to a netbook.
LEGO enthusiast Philo Hurbain has created an automated 3D scanner out of Technics parts, which allows for modelling of small, intricate parts.
Motorola has announced the closure of its Windows Mobile development centre in Florida, prompting speculation that it is ditching the platform in favour of Google's Android.
A pair of enterprising hackers have modified a commercial wattmeter to provide live updates to a computer system - and to post totals and usage statistics to Twitter.
An enterprising hacker has developed an advanced scientific calculator wristwatch to replace a broken commercial unit - and has released the schematics and source code.
The Mozilla Labs team has introduced Geode, a Firefox plugin that introduces an version of the W3C Geolocation Spec prior to the full-fat implementation due in Firefox 3.1.
Finnish mobile giant Nokia is working on an indoor analogue to the Global Positioning System dubbed Indoor Positioning.
Rumours spreading across the 'net have T-Mobile ready to launch the HTC Dream smartphone, the first handset to run on Google's Linux-based Android platform.
Chrysler - the company behind the Jeep and Dodge brands - has announced that its 2009 range will have the option of in-car Internet connectivity.
Fuel-cell start-up Angstrom Power has demoed a modified Motorola handset running on a hydrogen-based fuel cell that is charged using standard tap water.
The rumours say that Google is working on a new mobile phone but analysts say differently. Could a new mobile OS be coming from Google labs?
Watch out, some ingenious modder out there has turned a Motorola ROKR into a Transformer. Hopefully, it's not a Decepticon.
Following on the heels of the Skype outage last week, rival company JAJAH has announced a surge of more then 50 percent in registrations.
Pop your battery out of your mobile and check the model number. Nokia has issued a recall due to overheating issues.
id Software has brought the classic FPS to mobile phones, and has turned it into an action RPG in the process. Is this the first mobile phone game that real gamers will want to play? Hell yeah.
This week, we brought you the news that the original Quake is being ported over to mobile phone handsets. We have new screenshots for you today - nostalgia ahoy!
View this in the forums
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
WEEK IN REVIEW
TOP STORIES
SUGGESTED FOR YOU
Site Links
© Copyright bit-tech
