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This is a page detailing hardware features which some would like to go into future phones similar to the Neo1973.
Openmoko however may run on a large number of devices in the future, some of which may be DVD players, cameras, or convergance devices. Possible features for those devices are listed in Wishlist - Hardware - Novel Devices.
Hardware that is unlikely to appear in any OpenMoko device is listed in Wishlist:Unlikely - due to it being impossible to fabricate with near-term technology, or other reasons.
WiMAX is a high-speed data service, similar to wifi, though longer range and newer. Where service is available, this would complement WiFi. Unfortunately, unlike wifi, frequencies vary worldwide, so global usage may be complex.
The current Neo1973 processor does not have a camera interface. A chip with the MIPI Camera Serial Interface (CSI-2) might be used as a future proof solution. The standard is available to companies who have joined the alliance.
A chip that complies to the open Standard Mobile Imaging Architecture (SMIA) Compact Camera Port (CCP2) serial interface may be (more) desirable. The Micron MT9D012 is a 2 Megapixel chip and one of many that complies to these standards.
Main article: Spell weaving
See also this page containing a link to a video demonstration.
With help of mouse and keyboard, a TV output may be very useful. Or to watch photos taken with a digital camera on holidays. Or for showing a slide presentation off.
A model with a larger screen would be of use to many, especially with multi-touch. Higher resolution is probably less important than size until the DPI drops below 150 or so.
At the DisplayWeek2007 several embeded video projectors for phones were presented.
Those projecting devices are not much bigger than a cell phone. A LED-laser projects a sharp image at variable distance
Could such a device be connected by bluetooth?
Explay uses two a red and a green laser-LED as well as a conventional blue LED in its "oio". Blue laser-LED are to expensive for customer products. The light passes a transmissive WVGA-LCD(640x480) and goes on to the screen. Its frequency is 60Hz and the projecting distance can be varied from 20cm(8inch) to 2m(80inch) with a sharp picture. It consumes about 5W and its light power is about 6 lumen. As the sharpness does not depend on distance, one can project the image on screens that are not plane. Like someones t-shirt.
Microvistions PicoProjektor however uses soley laser-LEDs. It is also 60Hz though 800x600px or 800x640.
Potential problems might become the approval of a laser class 3 device.
Final prices could be about $300.
Taken from: http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/90141 (german)
Hardware acceleration for video playback.
3D hardware acceleration for 3D games, GUIs, etc. (maybe a PowerVR MBX Lite ?).
Possibility to use something like Eyeglass Mounted Display.
Or electronic paper display, EPD is used in many new devices such as the new Motorola motofone, sonys new e-reader and Irex's iliad. The technology provides thin, flexible, power saving screens using new eink technology. This technology could cut the weight of the phone and its power usage. For more info see: eink's website.
It would be nice to have (the option of) a transreflective display, which while being less bright, is readable without needing to power the backlight. Then again, it depends on how much power the backlight uses compared to everything else...
2 buttons more, 3 buttons total, mounted sideways would be enough. You could use them for play/pause and loudness controll while the phone remains in your pocket (display locked, ...), reading mails, rss, ebooks,... without waisting display space and so on.
With 5 buttons in total you could possibly emulate a keyboard (2^5 = 32 combinations) for those who know how to play a flute. Useable onehanded, not waisting display space and faster than t9. Hopefully this is not patented already.
Game buttons would be best on both sides of the screen. The larger the buttons, the better. 2x 4 buttons in up-down-left-right configuration + some extra buttons separately a bit lower on the device would be good for many for emulation games.
Here is a concept drawing of a possible neo1973 gaming version:
(This has a 4-way direction pad, 8 way may be better for gaming)
A trackball would provide an efficient mouse-like interface in a very compact package. As exemplified in the newer Blackberry® models. Maybe instead an optical sensor as are used in mice could be used so that the whole phone can be moved over a surface just like a mouse. The same sensor might be usable as a barcode reader
A joystick, or Rollermouse-like device would provide additional control, compared with touchscreen only.
Digital Television, Digital Radio or even normal analogue TV/radio is available widely in the world. Though unfortunately in various different forms. In markets where one standard is widespread, and hardware is suitable, it would be a great extension of the phone to a general entertainment device for when you're away from home. Multi standard devices would be ideal, but may not be small, low-power, or cheap.
This enables the phone to sense where 'down' is - to enable various options.
See Accelerometer Fundamentals for more information on accelerometers as they may be used in phones.
Some kind of RF interface that enables the Neo to receive data from popular heart rate straps (Polar, Garmin, Sigma, Suunto, etc.). This would go along well with the existing GPS functionality and possible future Accelerometer functionality to make for a full-blown workout tool.
Software can be written to track heart rate along a running, cycling, skiing, swimming loop, to monitor max and min heart rate, to match heart rate data to GPS coordinates and print map data w/ relevant data.
A digital compass is useful for orienting maps to the terrain when the user is standing still (regardless of GPS reception) and for following a bearing when GPS reception is poor.
An electronic thermometer might become handy for some users.
There are very small I2C devices available, that could easily integrate to the existing bus. For example this one from ti.
A Barometer measures air pressure. This can be used to give weather information, and also as a variometer, to sense relative altitude. Variometers are commonly used in flying microlight and ultralight aircraft, to get accurate relative altitude.
See Wish List - Hardware - Atmospheric for more information.
Fingerprint sensor gives easy and fast access to the phone, could lock the touchscreen etc. An example of this device can be found at Sony UX17.
Most fingerprint sensors in the embedded market include a navigation mode, where they work similar to either a touch-stick or touch-pad of a laptop.
Wireless USB is the wireless version of USB offering data-rates up to 480 Mbit/s over short distances (<3 meter). Chipsets suitable for a phone are likely to take some time to be available.
Other uses.
I2C is an internal 2-3 wire bus in the phone. It is low powered, and can be daisy-chained. It would be a great candidate to bring out into the Expansion Back.
Readily available I2C chips range from temperature sensing, digital input/output chips to 1-wire bridge chips (which is designed for external switches, ID, sensing, ...)
To use your phone as a remote for TV, stereo etc. In combination with camera, to make night vision pictures/video.
Flashlight, finding keyhole etc.
Small FM transmitter to output to car, and other nearby radios.
GSM/GPRS is at best slow. Ideally supporting EDGE - which is an evolved form of GPRS. UMTS - which is widespread in Europe, HSDPA (asia) and any other mobile standards would be nice for faster data connectivity and coverage. It is unlikely that all of these will be supported initially, but it is a goal. Until that goal is reached, it is likely that some phones will be brought out for various specific markets - Europe, Asia, US.
If the phone has a camera, a connector to mount the phone securely on a mini-tripod would be especially useful. Probably on the side of the phone.
The hole at the bottom of the phone takes a lot of space. A Kensington Security Slot could be used instead.
We need something you can drop from 4 feet in to a puddle of dirty water on construction site. You know the big ugly pseudo military version.
Some of the ideas mentioned below would make great accessories which could be sold separately.
Different special covers could be made available with features like:
A car kit with a cradle which simultaneously recharges the device.
A flexible charger allowing you to recharge the Neo1973 with another 'nonnative' charger would save weight when traveling and provide you with more recharge possibilities. Problems are that it may overload the charger. It may require sensing of the input voltage, and reducing load if the voltage drops by a factor. Ideally the device should accept input voltage in the range of around 3.3v-28V in either polarity.
Many PC-based media centers are being equipped with an RF (433 MHz) / X10-based remote control. The X10 protocol also facilitates home automation to control lamps, switches, etc. The advantages of using RF for control instead of Infra-red this that it also works when furniture, walls, or doors are blocking the path between RF remote and the equipment or device. Lirc supports X10-based RF remotes (but expects having an USB RF receiver attached to the media center).
The Neo1973 uses a 4-conductor 2.5mm jack for stereo headphones and a microphone. 2.5mm jacks are the commonest headset format.
Adapters to 2.5mm are of course available, but 3.5mm jacks are much more robust.
There is an emerging convention used in the Nokia N800 and some other devices. A 4-conductor 3.5mm jack that can use a microphone with special headsets, but can also be used with off-the-shelf 3.5mm stereo headphones.
Neglecting space limitations, multiple sockets - 2.5mm and 3.5mm would be nice. Probably not practical in a phone. Other expanded plugs might allow remote controls.
Other uses might be better met using bluetooth, or USB audio.
Include a built in laser pointer. Everything is better with lasers.
Consider selling one device with absolutely no non-free components in it, even if that means dropping the GSM support. I believe having one such device available would be good, because then it could be recommended by organizations like the FSF which typically never recommends anything if it has even a little non-free code in it.
Some people want less features, because they do not need them. Leaving out some features either lets the phone get smaller or possibly enhances battery live.
One big suggestion in this area is a b/w lower res display instead of the big colour display.
Avoid anything proprietary, I know it helps generate $$$$, but it really irritates everyone.
Do not embed the battery, it needs to be user replaceable
No DRM music system or you must buy from our network etc... I want to plug it in to my USB port and drag and drop my music, that's it, simple, no synchronization needed.
With all due respect to the keypad people, please do not add a keypad it just takes up space that should be occupied by the touchscreen, there are good text recognizers out there that are simple and easy to use, if you need a keypad make it an attachment. That being said you may want to add simple keys for easy dialing, don't forget its a phone, don't make it hard to use it as a phone.