Phoneßen Transforms Malfunctioning Samsung Into QWERTY Sliding Device
Marcin Plaza has taken the phone-building world by storm with his latest project. Starting with a broken Samsung zFlip 5, he's created a unique device that combines the functionality of a phone with the iconic Blackberry Q10 keyboard.
The new phone retains the screen from the top half of the zFlip 5, but the bottom half, originally used for notifications, now serves as a launcher and hosts apps due to the Samsung's fancy folding OLED being dead. The bottom half also includes a battery and Magsafe connector.
The guts of the new phone come from the donor Samsung zFlip 5, ensuring the device is powered by reliable hardware. The screen on the new phone is connected to a custom flex PCB, with an Arduino Micro Pro acting as a Human Input Device for the Q10 keyboard.
The new case for the phone is a custom design made of CNC'd aluminum, featuring a chunky four-bar linkage. Rapid prototyping was used in the design process, and magnets are employed to create a satisfying "snap" when the slider opens and closes.
Initially, the case design was conceived using 3D printing, but Marcin finds the current design not solid enough to share the files, possibly indicating plans for further modifications. Interestingly, one of the modified Samsung zFlip 5 devices made from CNC aluminum was created by a maker specializing in CNC aluminum work, although the specific maker's name remains undisclosed.
Marcin uses Samsung's Good Lock app to make the changes necessary for the small screen, ensuring a smooth user experience. The USB port of the new phone is used by the keyboard, but it has wireless charging, so the loss of wired charging is not a significant sacrifice.
This project is a reflection of the current era of endless flat rectangles, where unique and innovative designs are sought after. Compared to his previous project of repurposing a broken phone, this new project offers a more engaging and fun experience. However, it's more complex than simply turning a broken phone into a server, requiring intricate engineering and custom software programming.
In conclusion, Marcin Plaza's transformation of a broken Samsung zFlip 5 into a phone-cum-Blackberry Q10 keyboard device is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the maker community. The project serves as a reminder that even in the face of technological obsolescence, there's always potential for innovation and reinvention.
