Modular Smartphones got a lot of attention a few years back, however, the same begun to fade after Google abandoned the Project Ara and smartphone makers like LG left us unimpressed with the modular implementation on the G5. On the brighter side, Motorola’s modularity program was well accepted and Moto Mods became a thing. Kite is aiming to take the modularity to the next level with their DIY KitePhone.
The KitePhone is useful in many scenarios, for example, students and researchers can learn the basics of smartphone and will also get to experiment with cool new ideas. Small-scale accessory manufacturers can try out their prototypes on the KitePhone and fine tune the same before production. Crowdsourced ideas and features will be easy to implement with the backup of the community.
The makers of KitePhone already have a working prototype called “Poorna.” This device is powered by the Snapdragon 410 and putting the phone together involves soldering. The company is now prepping the Kitev2 and since Snapdragon 410 is obsolete they are planning to opt for the Snapdragon 450. That apart the newer KitePhone will sport a 5-inch display and a 12-Megapixel camera unit alongside the 3.5mm audio jack.
The Kite v2 will also come with connectors for audio, battery, and buttons. With all of this in place, you should be able to build your own phone in a matter of minutes. Buyers will also get a 24 hours instructional videos along with ready to use 3D printable designs that can accommodate enhancements. Moreover, the Raspberry Pi Hat compatibility mode will allow users to add new capabilities to their KitePhone.
KiteBoard v2 Specifications
- 5-inch HD Display
- Octa Core Snapdragon 450 with 2GB RAM
- 16GB internal storage, microSD card slot
- Low power GPS engine
- Support for dual camera setup
- 9 integrated sensors including eCompass, accelerometer, and gyroscope
- USB 3.0 OTG, Bluetooth 4.2, LTE CAT 6 and WiFi
The Kitev2 is currently live on Kickstarter and the pledge starts from $274. The coolest part is that you can 3D print your own design for the phone and also add a dash of your favorite color.