zzzPhone - Bespoke Mobile Technology
Custom built hardware is no new idea. Dell have let you select what you do and don’t want on their computers for years. Why hasn’t this concept been applied to mobile phones?
The zzzPhone is the first custom-built handset. Each phone is made to order in a factory in China. The idea was announced back in February, and the first handsets are now appearing. As CrunchGear found out, it’s not a scam. However, there were some problems with the manufacturer, and the phones won’t work in the US at the moment.
The newest generation should be on its way soon. The OS has yet to be confirmed, but it could be Symbian or Windows CE. Android is also a possibility for upcoming models, as is Skype.
The zzzPhone is a fascinating piece of kit. It has eight motherboards to cope with all the customisation. It includes a 20 minute internal backup battery. This means it will work without a battery for 20 minutes. It also has two SIM card slots so you can combine work and play in the one phone. Prices start at $149 (£75) for the 3 megapixel camera version.
