OpenBerry DIY messenger heavy on style, won't replace your smartphone

Looking for a weekend DIY project? Using a 26-key ButtonShield keyboard module and salvaging parts from his Open Source GameBoy project, Liquidware Antipasto blogger intheblitz has created the OpenBerry, a Arduino-based mobile messenger that's maybe one-half part BlackBerry and seven parts great icebreaker at parties (the kind of parties we go to, at least). Right now the functionality is minimal -- it sends and receives messages synced to your laptop via a XBee module. The interface is also lacking, but a GUI is in apparently the works. See the device for yourself in the video after the break.

[cobaltage Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:18PM]

So, it's made of 7 1/2 parts?

[Rena Posted Mar 20th 2009 7:14PM]

"...one-half part BlackBerry and and seven parts great icebreaker". That's some great editing there.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:19PM]

"...BlackBerry and and seven..."

[conscious Posted Mar 20th 2009 5:17PM]

this is the kind of exciting gadgetry that can make even the most hardcore writer stammer.

[Oli D Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:21PM]

Haha, never heard GUI pronounced as a word before...

Sweet gooey dude!

[Yteyf Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:24PM]

yes
GUI is an acronym and is pronounced ‘goo-ey’ (as in toffee).

[agreenbhm Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:58PM]

or "screwy"

[roomtek Posted Mar 20th 2009 7:24PM]

gueeeeyyy

[rcarm Posted Mar 20th 2009 7:50PM]

gee-you-i

[K0DEAN Posted Mar 20th 2009 11:31PM]

Funny, I've never heard it pronounced as "G-U-I". I must be from the dark ages.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2009 1:04AM]

I think the people who pronounce it gooey are pretenious assholes. Its an acronym for graphical user interface so its shortened to gui.

and dont say anything about Laser being an acronym because Laser actually SOUNDS COOL.

(Pew Pew)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:25PM]

Nice ThinkPad 700!

[ElCapitan Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:44PM]

That was the first thing I noticed. This guy must be loaded.

[Chopes Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:26PM]

Indeed

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:46PM]

What is "After the break"? they always say that but I guess I have no clue what they are talking about.

[GON Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:54PM]

"After the break" refers to clicking on the link to read the rest of the story.

[telepheedian Posted Mar 20th 2009 6:50PM]

It's a blog formatting term, you put a "break" in when you split the preview from the full article.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 4:50PM]

Android maybes?? =D

[Alex Posted Mar 20th 2009 5:32PM]

He and Ben Heck should get together.

[Sirius Posted Mar 21st 2009 6:11AM]

..Is there anything the Arduino *can't* do?.. It seems to do everything.. heck it'll even make you coffee!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 21st 2009 6:30AM]

good idea,also i can see the thinkpad w700.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2009 6:12PM]

android would be dope