A British university student has designed a bamboo smartphone which is due to go on sale in the UK later this year. Would you buy one?
Kieron-Scott Woodhouse, a design student at Middlesex University, was unimpressed with the variety of mobile phone handsets on offer.
So he spent his spare time designing a smartphone that would stand out from other models on the market – by building it out of bamboo.
After posting his design on various internet forums, it caught the attention of a technology entrepreneur who wanted to bring the bamboo smartphone to life.
Now the new smartphone, known as the ADzero, is due to go on sale in the UK later this year.
Statement smartphone
The unique mobile phone is crafted out of four-year-old organic bamboo, specially treated for durability.
The ADzero runs the latest version of the Android operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich and is approximately half the weight of an Apple iPhone, while boasting a larger screen.
The smartphone’s camera also features ‘ring flash’ technology not available on any current mobile phone.
A circular photographic flash around the camera’s lens ensures that light hits the subject from all angles instead of one, creating better illumination and minimising shadows.
Why bamboo?
Woodhouse, aged 23, from London, says: “Bamboo may seem like a strange material to use for a phone.
“But it’s actually extremely strong and very durable, perfect qualities for this kind of application.”
Woodhouse has been juggling the final year of his degree with working on the ADzero.
He says: “The whole experience has been incredible and completely unexpected.
“Completing my final year and working has been challenging, but my course and the project complement each other well and it’s a great start to my career.
“I can’t wait to see my mobile phone in shops this year.”
Promising UK talent
The smartphone was originally intended for the Chinese market but after an enthusiastic response when it was showcased at London Design Week 2011, it will launch in the UK first, later this year.
Dr Andy Bardill, Kieron-Scott’s tutor and Middlesex University’s product design and engineering director of programmes, called Woodhouse a “remarkable designer”.
He added: “The web has opened up the highly competitive design sphere and enabled those with talent to get noticed more easily.”
Kate Rose, head of mobile phones at Confused.com says: “It’s great to see UK talent emerging and innovating in the mobile phone industry.”
Great deals to be had
If you can’t wait until the end of the year for the ADzero, you can compare hundreds of thousands of deals easily on popular handsets like the Apple iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S II through our mobile phone comparison service.
Rose adds: “The more choice on the market for the consumer the better, but searching for a new mobile deal can be difficult.
“Make sure you know what you want and compare phone deals online.”
