Morning, signal nerds. This Wednesday, we are going back to the 2000's!! Take a look at an open source flip communicator.
What a difference a year makes
June 15, 2026 · MistPhone Chronicle
A year ago — to the day as fate would have it! — I applied for and filed a patent for a 'flip-screen e-paper low power communication device' I called: Mist Phone.
In a nutshell, a 2000's style flip phone that used E-paper as the screen and Meshtastic / LoRa as the wireless communication medium. When people say that filing a patent is difficult, I can now say that I have a deep, deep appreciation for that difficulty.
A year can bring big changes in life, in regulations, and in resources. With those things combined, I was not able to get the patent through to issuance. And I feel so melancholy about it to be honest. I know the idea has so much potential. The stage is set for just such a device. And for that reason I do have the beginnings of a smile on my face because now? Now it's out there. It's free game!! So, let's build! I can't wait to see what the world comes up with :)
OPEN DESIGN · LET THE COMMUNITY INNOVATE
Onshape CAD · MistPhone closed & flip mechanism
Cutaway view · E-paper stack + Meshtastic core
Editor’s reflection — The Mist Phone concept embodies resilient, low-bandwidth communication. Now that the patent journey has ended without issuance, the door is wide open for open-source hardware communities, LoRa enthusiasts, and indie makers to bring this idea to life. Wireless Wednesdays will follow every iteration.