WiPhone – pronounced as in Wi(reless) Phone – is a tiny VoIP phone made for makers and hardware hackers. The phone is based on ESP32 WiFi + Bluetooth SoC, is designed to be easily disassembled and modified both at the hardware and software level.
It looks like an entry-level 2G/3G feature phone, except you can make only make phone calls over WiFi using a SiP account, as there’s no cellular modem.
WiPhone specifications:
- SoC – Espressif ESP32 dual core Tensilica LX6 processor @ 240 MHz
- System Memory – 4MB PSRAM
- Storage – 16MB flash, microSD card slot
- Display – 2.4″ screen with 320×240 resolution
- Connectivity – 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1 dual mode (BT not yet supported in software)
- Audio – 3.5mm audio jack
- USB – 1x micro USB port for charging, serial communication and firmware updates
- Expansion – 20-pin programmable header on back of phone with UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, digital I/O, ADC
- Misc – 25 buttons keypad, 4 reserved for user, with all key being user programmable
- Battery – 700 mAh battery good for 8 hours of VoIP calls, one week standby time
- Dimensions – 120 x 50 x 12 mm
- Weight – 80 grams
Beside the calling function, WiPhone also supports text messages, and stores contact. It can be programmed using the Arduino IDE, or MicroPython, and depending on funding may also support wireless firmware updates.
The WiPhone supports expansions via daughter boards thanks to the 20-pin on the back of the phone. You could always your own, but the developer has already made some samples including one board turning the WiPhone into an RC car, and others adding an RGB LED matrix, mega battery pack, or LoRa connectivity to the back of the phone. You’ll find more up-to-date details about software and hardware development on the Hackaday.io project page.
WiPhone launched on Kickstarter a little while ago, and with four days to go they raised close to $70,000 easily surpassing their $40,000 funding goal. A pledge of $89 should be able to get you a WiPhone by August 2019. Shipping appears to be free to the USA, but adds $25 to European countries. Living in other parts of the world? Sorry, you’ll have to skip this Kickstarter campaign, as WiPhone is not offered outside of the US or the European Union.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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