Do you know of an app that allows making and receiving calls with an Ubuntu computer (via iPhone)?

[mankki]

Hi,

I am building a cat sized mobile phone that runs on Linux Ubuntu. The build will include Orange Pi Zero 3, Arduino UNO (or ESP32), AD8232 (EKG-module), 4" LCD touch display and a retro-style phone handset, to name a few kay parts. I am not, however, planning to integrate a GSM-module in it, so there will be no SIM-card. Instead, I am going to try and establish a connection with my iPhone, so that I can make and receive calls via the iPhone, using BT. Do you know of any software with a GUI (a basic dialer) that fits my purposes?

Plasma Dialer is the only app that seems to enable making and receiving calls, and viewing the contacts. However, I cannot get it to work on my computer, so I have no hope that it would work on Orage Pi either. The app just does not open at all.

Any suggestions?

(I also included a sketch of my project down below.)

 

[kibasnowpaw]

I'm not well-versed in this area, but this seems quite intricate to me. Wouldn't it be simpler to use a USB phone designed for Ubuntu, combined with an IP client like Cisco? You could then forward calls to a mobile phone, right?

Eddite
ohh it was the other way around but coulnt you do that with an ip Clint to just to send the call over the ip to the PC via that IP clint like im said im not well-versed in this area, but this seems quite intricate to me

 

[mankki]

I'm not well-versed in this area, but this seems quite intricate to me. Wouldn't it be simpler to use a USB phone designed for Ubuntu, combined with an IP client like Cisco? You could then forward calls to a mobile phone, right?

Eddite
ohh it was the other way around but coulnt you do that with an ip Clint to just to send the call over the ip to the PC via that IP clint like im said im not well-versed in this area, but this seems quite intricate to me

Yeah, this indeed isn't a straightforward process, unfortunately.

 

[dos2unix]

Teams, Skype, Zoom...

 

[mankki]

Teams, Skype, Zoom...

Really? Would GSM phone calls be possible with these?

 

[kibasnowpaw]

I asked GPT4 for fun and this was what it came up with.

1. Hardware Setup:

Orange Pi Zero 3 Setup:

• Install Ubuntu on the Orange Pi Zero 3.
• Set up the 4" LCD touch display with necessary drivers.

Arduino UNO or ESP32 with AD8232:

• Connect the AD8232 EKG module to the Arduino or ESP32.
• Program the Arduino/ESP32 to read EKG data and send it to the Orange Pi over UART.

Retro-style Phone Handset:

• Connect the handset to the audio I/O of the Orange Pi. Adapt connectors if needed.

2. Software Setup:

Bluetooth Connection to iPhone:

• Install bluez on the Orange Pi.
• Set up the Orange Pi as an HFP Bluetooth device.
• Pair the Orange Pi with the iPhone.

Dialer Application:

• Install Qt on the Orange Pi.
• Design a GUI for dialing, ending calls, and viewing contacts.
• Integrate Bluetooth functionalities using Qt's Bluetooth libraries.

EKG Data Display:

• Read EKG data from Arduino/ESP32 over serial connection.
• Display the EKG data in the GUI.

3. Integration:

Call Routing:

• Route calls through the Orange Pi using HFP.
• Implement call initiation using HFP commands over Bluetooth.

Audio Handling:

• Route iPhone audio to the Orange Pi and to the handset.
• Ensure microphone audio is sent back to the iPhone.

4. Final Testing:

• Test calls for clarity and responsiveness.
• Test the EKG module's accuracy on the GUI.

Challenges & Considerations:

• Address iPhone's restrictive Bluetooth profiles.
• Ensure GUI's responsiveness on the Orange Pi.
• Consider power management for mobility.
• Neatly package all components.

 

[mankki]

I asked GPT4 for fun and this was what it came up with.

1. Hardware Setup:

Orange Pi Zero 3 Setup:

• Install Ubuntu on the Orange Pi Zero 3.
• Set up the 4" LCD touch display with necessary drivers.

Arduino UNO or ESP32 with AD8232:

• Connect the AD8232 EKG module to the Arduino or ESP32.
• Program the Arduino/ESP32 to read EKG data and send it to the Orange Pi over UART.

Retro-style Phone Handset:

• Connect the handset to the audio I/O of the Orange Pi. Adapt connectors if needed.

2. Software Setup:

Bluetooth Connection to iPhone:

• Install bluez on the Orange Pi.
• Set up the Orange Pi as an HFP Bluetooth device.
• Pair the Orange Pi with the iPhone.

Dialer Application:

• Install Qt on the Orange Pi.
• Design a GUI for dialing, ending calls, and viewing contacts.
• Integrate Bluetooth functionalities using Qt's Bluetooth libraries.

EKG Data Display:

• Read EKG data from Arduino/ESP32 over serial connection.
• Display the EKG data in the GUI.

3. Integration:

Call Routing:

• Route calls through the Orange Pi using HFP.
• Implement call initiation using HFP commands over Bluetooth.

Audio Handling:

• Route iPhone audio to the Orange Pi and to the handset.
• Ensure microphone audio is sent back to the iPhone.

4. Final Testing:

• Test calls for clarity and responsiveness.
• Test the EKG module's accuracy on the GUI.

Challenges & Considerations:

• Address iPhone's restrictive Bluetooth profiles.
• Ensure GUI's responsiveness on the Orange Pi.
• Consider power management for mobility.
• Neatly package all components.

Thanks! I'll certainly look into HFP.