Hackaday · Creativity & design

DIY Phone Aims to Reduce Smartphone Distraction

A maker has built a custom Bluetooth handset designed to help users disconnect from their primary smartphones, inspired by 1980s aesthetics.

The device, created by Kevin Noki, functions as a Bluetooth handset, not a full-fledged phone, as it lacks cellular capabilities and regulatory approval for VoLTE. Noki initially used an ESP32 microcontroller but switched to a dedicated Hands Free Profile (HFP) Bluetooth module for better audio quality.

Noki is selling the design, but the detailed video tutorial allows for easy replication. The project features a distinctive 1980s-style 'brick' casing, for which Noki created an STL file. He employed an industrial design approach, using XPS foam and a hot wire cutter for prototyping the case before a final 3D print.

The handset also incorporates a custom acrylic bending jig to add a black LED acrylic overlay to the display. While the device requires significant effort to build and still necessitates the use of a primary smartphone, its creator suggests it offers a less distracting alternative.

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