idea

Discuss building, using, and modifying the Rotary Un-Smartphone.

Moderator: gomeznicole303

Post Reply
phoneguy
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2025 6:16 am

idea

Post by phoneguy »

Now that the Un-Smart Phone is discontinued and unavailable to buy, there’s a unique opportunity to keep the idea alive in a different way.
Instead of locking the design away, what if the schematics, parts list, and internal layout were released publicly?
Publishing the internals would turn it from a “dead product” into an open artifact: something people can study, remix, rebuild, and improve.
Like, if you’re committed enough to make one yourself, source the parts, wire it together, troubleshoot it.

Let me just explain more clearly. You can’t buy an Un-Smart Phone anymore, but you could build one. And that feels like the most fitting ending possible.
badgeguy
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2025 4:58 am

Re: idea

Post by badgeguy »

Might I suggest you give a read through the hundreds of documents available at: https://skysedge.com/RUSP/index.html

I think you will find literally everything you desire.
ErikB
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2022 5:21 pm

Re: idea

Post by ErikB »

The firmware link on https://skysedge.com/RUSP/index.html is broken. Looking on GitHub for RotaryUnsmartPhone produced two versions. The one with "delete empty" for all the sub-directories is 3 years old and probably not of interest. The one from 2024 looks populated.

https://github.com/skysedge/RotaryUnSmartphone

I also like the idea of forking the project. One change might be to migrate away from Arduino since they apparently have been bought out by Qualcomm (depending on whether Arduino clones show up or not):

Dave Jones on EEVBlog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO7hdxyCNCA


While I love the whimsy of the dial, I don't need it Modifying RUSP to be in a simple, rectangular form factor with a keypad would be fine.Possibly providing:

1) Option to plug in to mains power without needing to also provide a battery.
2) Built-in answering machine
3) Wired ethernet interface so calls can be made and messages retrieved over a local network. I haven't looked into VoIP yet to see if there are any issues
this suggestion would solve.
4) Multiple physical interfaces, such as a plug-in handset, a hands-free handset, or the ability to drive an independent phone according to the old POTS standard
Roel
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2023 8:56 am

Re: idea

Post by Roel »

Hi,

do I need to flash the firmware, or does the Arduino already has the firmware installed..?

I have no clue what needs to be on the SD card..?

please help..

Thanks,

Roel
Post Reply