Lost cell phone? Build your own!

I lost my cell phone in a cab at Internet Telephony Conference and Expo so I've been meaning to "shop around" for a new one. But with some recent home repairs, a baby on the way (plus purchasing all the baby amenities), have to buy an SUV, etc. etc. I've decided I shouldn't blow $700 on a HP iPAQ hw6515 (left image). So I email a fellow gadget freak, Evan Koblentz (owner of a Treo 650), who also happens to run the popular Computer Collector Newsletter (covers the hobby of collecting old computers.) and I say to Evan:

I see promos for free cell phones if you sign up for 2 years.
For instance, this phone: http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/6010

I think I'm going to hold off on getting a Treo or Windows Mobile phone. Need to buy baby stuff.

So any recommendations for a cheap or even free cell phone? I never look at the low-range phones - I like the expensive gadget ones that cost $300-$800.

Never one to be at a loss for sarcasm, he writes back:

Here ya go! http://news.com.com/Build-it-yourself+cell+phones...

I can see in the text of the URL these keywords - "build it yourself cell phones", so already I know what I am in for when I visit the link. The recent CNet article begins:

Surj Patel is building his own cell phone, bit by soldered bit.
It's not easy. It starts with parts that cost around $400. Then Patel and his partner, Deva Seetharam, have to write code to run on the tiny Linux-based computer that he's hoping will serve as the brains of his new phone.
So why bother? After all, it's not like cell phones are hard to find or terribly expensive.
Patel says he has lost patience with even the slimmest Motorolas and most advanced Nokias. <more...>

While a cool concept, I don't think I'm ready to "build my own cell phone". A cool article though!

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Comments to Lost cell phone? Build your own!

1. 
   scott nichols :
   May 7, 2006 12:49 PM

   hello my nameis Scott and i'm very interested in building my own cell phone.could you send me info on this

1. 
   George :
   July 6, 2006 7:28 PM

   hello my name is george and i'm very interested in building my own cell phone.could you send me info on this please.
   

1. 
   Isiah Small :
   August 17, 2006 9:34 PM

   i want to build my own cell because my cousin broke my other cell and it will take me 9 months to buy my own cell.

1. 
   daniel :
   December 28, 2007 3:18 PM

   my name is daniel i dont have a cell phone and i cant afford one but i am intrested in making my own can you please send me the infomation to make my own i am begging

1. 
   jeff :
   February 4, 2008 11:14 PM

   I do admit this may be a good idea....would love to have some more info on building a cell phone..experimenting..and so forth..

1. 
   Jonathan :
   April 28, 2008 1:44 PM

   Hi,
   I'm very interested in building my own cellphone, can you send me information.
   Thanks

1. 
   Steven :
   May 11, 2008 7:29 PM

   Hi
   I find this very interesting as I am designing an early warning device that will need a cell phone to send signal. Please send me information on your cell phone project.

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