This neat little device is an open source mobile phone that you can build yourself.
Besides that, Ringo is also an educational device shaped like a mobile phone compatible with all mobile networks.
Its purpose: to motivate people to explore, learn and create something new in a fun and interesting way.
Who is this kit for?
Based on our experience, an 11-year-old kid should be able to assemble a Ringo kit with a tiny bit of help from an adult. Estimated build time: 5 hours.
Building the Ringo kit is just the beginning.
After that, you’ll spend numerous hours creating your own games and apps and experimenting with hardware.
What you’ll learn with Ringo
- how to solder properly
- what are the basic electronic components and what are their functions
- what are microcontrollers and some basics of digital electronics
- how to program a microcontroller in C++, Python and other
- how a basic mobile phone works
Ringo is hackable
Ringo is based on Arduino-compatible ESP32 microcontroller. Therefore, it’s compatible with lots of hardware expansion modules.
Ringo was meant to be hacked.
Ringo is fully customizable.
CircuitBlocks
A dedicated graphical code editor similar to Scratch or Code.org.
Getting started with coding was never easier!
CircuitOS
CircuitOS is our custom-made operating system built on top of FreeRTOS. Currently it only works on our CircuitMess Ringo DIY mobile phone, but we plan to adapt it for all of our current and future products.
Ringo has a build guide
CircuitMess World is a place for Ringo users to share their creations, exchange knowledge, and download programs made by others as well as a collection of tutorials, guides etc.
Ringo ♥ Arduino
YES, we love Arduino.
Ringo is based on Arduino-compatible ESP32 microcontroller.
Therefore, it can be programmed in Arduino IDE (based on C/C++) – the most popular programming environment for makers.
Ringo Standard Kit includes:
- Ringo circuit board – the main board that connects all the components in a uniform device that can work as a mobile phone
- Ringo casing – multiple sheets of acrylic cut with the power of lasers. They protect the innards and give Ringo this sleek look
- 128*160 full color TFT LCD – for playing games, displaying phone numbers and everything in between
- GSM module – a tiny module responsible for everything related to calling and texting other people
- Main microcomputer module – a dual core processor with built-in Wi-Fi, BLE, and a charging circuit
- Sound module – a board with a DAC (digital to analog converter) chip and a headphone jack for music playback (responsible for ringtones, alarms, game sound effects)
- Amplifier module – makes loud buzzes, bleeps and bloops
- Stick-on antenna – for superb phone signal (a.k.a. send text messages while in the bathroom)
- 4GB Micro SD card – preloaded with games and apps
- A bag with other tiny electronic components
Tool Kit includes:
- Ringo Standard Kit
- USB soldering iron
- Metal soldering iron stand
- Soldering iron power brick
- USB cable for soldering iron
- Some solder
- Standard screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Diagonal cutter pliers
Check out the specs
Microcontroller
ESP32 with Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX6 microprocessor, operating at 160MHz and performing at up to 600 DMIPS.
4MB of built-in flash memory + 520kB of SRAM.
Display
1.8″, 160*128px full color (RGB 16bit).
25FPS refresh rate by default, up to 50FPS.
Digitally controllable backlight level.
Sound
10bit dedicated DAC (TFA9882).
Multi-channel WAV playback.
2W class-D audio amp, audio jack 3.5mm, 1W speaker, software volume control.
Input
4-way analog joystick, 12-button numeric keypad, A (confirm), B (back), 4 multi-purpose addressable buttons.
Micro SD card socket
FAT and FAT32 compatible.
Every console comes with a 4GB Micro SD card with Ringo-compatible games and apps preloaded!
Network
Built in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR and BLE.
SIM800L or SIM7600 dedicated cellular network co-processor (the thing that calls other people).
Micro SIM card slot.
Battery
LiPo 3.7V 1300mAh, charged through micro USB B port.
Sufficient for approximately 3 days of normal use.
RTC (real time clock)
DS1307 Accurate I²C-Integrated RTC – this thing keeps time and takes care of alarms.
Extras
8 individually-controllable RGB LEDs mounted on the back of the phone – for signalisation and cosmetic purposes (IT GLOWS!)
Mobile network compatibility
This version of CircuitMess Ringo works on the following network frequency bands:
• LTE-TDD B38/B40/B41
• LTE-FDD B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20
• UMTS/HSPA+ B1/B5/B8
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE B3/B8 (1800/900)
It will work in the following countries:
Europe – EU:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech, Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Croatia
Europe – non EU:
Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey and Alderney, Iceland, Jersey, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Man (Island of), Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican City State (Holy See)
Middle East:
Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Oceania:
Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon (Islands), Tonga, Vanuatu
The Caribbean:
Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire (Saint Eustatius and Saba), Cuba, Curaçao, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten
Central America:
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama
South America:
Falkland Islands (Malvinas), French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname
North America:
Greenland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Asia:
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (ex-Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka (ex-Ceilan), Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste (West), Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
Eastern Africa:
Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Reunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, United Republic of Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Middle Africa:
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Democratic Republic of the Equatorial Guinea), Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe
Northern Africa:
Algeria, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara
Southern Africa:
Botswana, Eswatini (ex-Swaziland), Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa
Western Africa:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
This version of CircuitMess Ringo won’t work in the following countries:
Oceania:
Guam, American Samoa
The Caribbean:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands (US)
South America:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
North America:
Bermuda, Canada, United States of America (USA)
INFO
Age 11+
