This is what I love about living in the future (and HN). I live just north of Seattle, I read a story last night about this project in a magazine from the UK (New Scientist). I posted it to a website in California and the project creator, from Massachusetts, responded and it turns out he has had an account here for over 4 years.

I know PG wrote an essay about how certain cities act as magnets for smart people looking to change the world, and how it is advantageous for companies to set up in those cities. That always struck me as a rather antiquated system (though I don't deny it is currently true) and I always wondered how long it will be before that changes. The idea that to properly collaborate we have to arrange such that all of our molecules inhabit a relatively small geographic area just seems silly. Things like this really make me appreciate the power of the internet to connect people and propagate interesting ideas (instead of just memes). Makes me think that before I die the idea of necessary co-location in order for people to collaborate effectively will be a bygone notion. I would welcome that change.

How's the reception and microphone quality? (i.e. how well does the sound of your voice on the phone compare to say an iPhone or Nokia-era candybar phone?)

Also, great work! I looked into building a cell phone before, and it's an awesome amount of work.