Is there a open source firmware for any low end cell phone (non smart phone)?

Question

This question is about low end mobile phones which cost around $50 to $100, unlike Smart Phones like iPhone or the ones that support Android.

Nokia 1280, 1800 are some examples.

I want to customize the basic features such as Contacts, SMS in such a phone. So I either want a open source code of its firmware that is compatible with one or more of such phones, or I would like to know of a vendor who could sell a cell phone within this cost range along with the source code of the firmware?
Do these phones have any OS running in them? Or just a single threaded firmware program?

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 20 '12 at 14:45

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The most advanced project in this field is OsmocomBB.

Granted, finding the proper hardware is not easy, though not impossible.

answered Jul 20 '12 at 14:45

Yuval Adam

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score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 21 '12 at 13:27

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I (think) get something intersanting for you: motorola on sourcefroge

or go to the page of the os

edited Oct 21 '12 at 13:27

Kjuly

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answered May 08 '12 at 09:53

Ender Ossel

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score 1 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:02

I wish there were such a phone. As far as I can tell, no major phone manufacturer provides either the source for their firmware or the specs that you would need to write your own. I think your best bet would be to take a look at open moko: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo_FreeRunner_GTA02_Hardware

The freerunner is a smartphone that runs at about 400$ Since the full hardware spec is available here: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo_FreeRunner_GTA02_Hardware I think it may be possible to omit many of the parts that drive up the price, and make a derivative design that is simpler and cheaper. eg, drop the wifi, gps, bluetooth, usb, and accelerometer. However, I am not a computer engineer, so I'm not sure how difficult that would be, or if it would even be cheaper.

ref: Custom Phone Firmware

Thanks for the response. Ya, I have heard of OpenMoko. But $400 is too much for an average Indian. Are there cheaper models that support OpenMoko standards? — Jagan, May 18 '11 at 12:02

Is there a open source firmware for any low end cell phone (non smart phone)?

3 Answers3