[asterisk-users] building a phone

[Jon Pounder]

Tzafrir Cohen wrote:
> Hi folks
>
> A common wisdom here is that one should use a proper hardware phone
> rather that an extra software on the user's PC. Why is that such a big
> issue?
>
> One thing that bothers me with the current crop of hardware SIP phones
> is that they are hopelessly properitary. 
>   
no more so than a vcr or other consumer device.

> So what would it take to build a fully-adaptable phone?
>   
why bother when there are lots of < $100 perfectly fine phones already ?
> Here are some of my thoughts. This is not anything I plan to do soon (if
> at all), but I really find it strange that there aren't such phones
> already.
>
>   
why not just take an existing device such as the n770 or nintendo ds.
load a sip client of your choice on, and you are done - wireless phone, 
touchscreen, runs any other software you want, already low cost, no 
manufacturing. (both devices already have wifi, speaker and microphone 
as well as a colour touchscreen, so what else is missing ?)

there are also iphone clones coming down into the same price range that 
are fully programmable.


> == Small Quantities:
> When you look at such systems it becomes aparant that you can get much
> nicer prices if you buy large quanities. But this is something that will
> be a problem. Not only for prototying. The fact that you're limited to a
> strict hardware setting is very limiting. No mixing and matching like in
> a standard PC. I'm not exactly sure how to overcome that.
>
> == Platforms:
> There are many embedded platforms nowadays. I assume that the relevant
> application requires some non-trivial CPU power. I would exclude e.g. a
> 486-based systems. My target phone should be able to handle at least two
> concurrent Speex calls. Preferrebly 6 speex calls and above.
>
> OTOH, I can't afford a monster CoreDuo. I need a quiet system with no
> fan. Thus the target CPU may be higher end VIA or Atom. Not sure about
> Geode. 
>
> There are also some interesting ARM-based boards around. I'm completely
> unfamiliar with them but I suspect that they may prove to be cheaper. 
>
> == SIP Software:
> Not really sure here. There must be something close to usable already, I
> guess.
>
> == Micro Browser:
> Hell no!
>
> The device should have an LCD display, and the content of that display
> should be programmable. Programming it using a HTML renderred is a bad
> design decision.
>
> The device should be a good phone. It should not attempt to be a web
> browser, as it will be a lousy one.
>
> == Handset:
> I suppose that an obvious starting point for a handset is "skype phones"
> such as USB handsets from yealink. Far from an optimal design, but a
> driver already exists.
>
>
> == Ease of Use:
> A phone must be usable. The target device must be something my mom can
> use. However that does not mean it must be easy to program. It must be
> programmable and hackable. But I can live with a complicated user
> interface for that. If such phones become successful and useful, better
> interfaces will eventually be written.
>
>
>