An enthusiast going by the handle RemuNotMoe recently revealed on Twitter that Nokia’s classic 1860 button phone has been transformed into a fully functional Linux-based PDA. The creator labeled the result Notkia, a nickname that hints at both the device’s origins and its new capabilities.
The transformation is not simply about loading new software on an aging handset. It involves a comprehensive hardware overhaul that reimagines the device from the inside out. The original motherboard has been replaced with a compact, 1 GHz single-core Ingenic X100E MIPS processor. This swap brings with it 64 MB of RAM and two kinds of flash storage: 32 MB of NOR flash and a more capacious 4 GB of SLC NAND flash. Those are not numbers you typically see in a stock feature phone, and they lay the groundwork for a more capable operating environment than the device originally offered.
On the display side, the tiny 128×160 TFT screen has been given a significant upgrade. It now sports a 2-inch LCD with a native resolution of 240×320 pixels. In practice, the updated hardware pushes more information onto the screen, but the physical panel remains the limiting factor. The result is an effective usable resolution around 220×280 pixels, a notable improvement over the original while preserving the compact form that defines the Notkia project.
Connectivity and multimedia capabilities have also ridden a wave of modernization. Notkia includes a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, a 5 MP camera for stills, and a WiFi 4 module to handle wireless networking. With Linux running on board and the upgraded wireless stack, the device can function as a portable wireless communication tool, and in specific setups, it can operate similarly to a walkie-talkie—useful for short-range voice transmission in remote or group-scenario contexts. The combination of hardware and software choices makes Notkia a curious hybrid: a phone that can be repurposed into a compact handheld computer with real networking and media capabilities, rather than a device built to simply make calls.
The Notkia project sits at the intersection of retro hardware charm and maker culture. It demonstrates how a dedicated modder can extend the life of a beloved classic by leaning into open software and off-the-shelf components. The result is a device that preserves the tactile familiarity of early mobile phones while offering the flexibility of a Linux-based platform. As with many maker endeavors, the success of such a project rests not only on the parts chosen but on careful integration, power management, and thoughtful workflow design to ensure the system remains usable in day-to-day situations. Observers note that the ingenuity lies as much in the clever adaptation of existing modules as in choosing the right balance between performance, energy consumption, and ergonomics. Source: socialbites.ca