Building a Better Cell Phone

In the 1970s, regional groups got together to build new computers. Today, aside from hardcore overclockers, computers are about as good as they're gonna get. Today's gadgeteers have turned their eyes to cellular phones. But can a bunch of hobbyists really do better than the Nokias and Samsungs of the world?

The Homebrew Computer Club (borrowing its name from that classic PC-building organization) thinks it can. The idea? The "open phone," using tiny parts, the Linux operating system, and open source software to build a better, faster, stronger cell phone, something more akin to your PC than to that 12-button beast sitting on your desk.

It's too soon to say whether the open phone movement will bring about the revolution in portable computing that computer hobbyists managed to do 30 years ago, but now's your chance to help them out. What do you want from the cell phone of the future? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!